Tales From Chicago

By Leslie Austin / July 30, 2013 / Uncategorized No Comments

Each year the nationally acclaimed Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) hosts a human resource conference. The event is host to hundreds of vendors of HR products and services and also provides continuing education seminars for 15,000+ HR professionals.  This year the SHRM national conference was held in Chicago, and I had the opportunity to attend the event that was held in June. This was my first time attending the SHRM national conference and I was blown away by the organization, expo and the vast array of education and world renowned speakers and entertainment the event boasted. Having been exposed to so much valuable information, I wanted to take a moment to share some of the important HR questions that companies/executive managers should be asking right now.

1. Are you developing future leaders in your organization? – Studies show a company can have a 200% return on investment when there is a plan to develop the right personnel. Selection of the appropriate staff to develop and the actual plan to develop them is crucial to ultimate success.

2. Does your organization offer its employees competitive total rewards? – Total rewards are the compensation, benefits, perks and other incentives that employee’s value. These rewards make it possible for an employer to recruit, retain and motivate employees.

3. Does your company have a succession plan? – Studies show that if the average age of your workforce is over 35 years old, you have an aging workforce.

4. Do employees at your company travel for work on a regular basis? –  If so, does your company have policies in place that mitigate the risk to the organization and also appropriately educate travelers?

5. Is your company subject to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)? – Companies with 50 or more employees over a certain period of time are subject to the FMLA.  If your company is subject to the FMLA, are you making sure that eligible employees are receiving proper notices and paperwork?

Perhaps the most rewarding part of this conference was a speech I attended given by Astronaut Mark Kelly, who was joined by his wife Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, who also spoke for a short time. Both of their stories as individuals and certainly as a married couple are that of strength and perseverance. Astronaut Kelly, who has flown 4 successful missions to space, also spoke on the importance of having great communication within an organization and encouraged all of us to be passionate, courageous and the very best we can be at whatever we choose to do.  Another book I am also excited to read is theirs which is titled, Gabby: A Story of Courage, Love and Resilience.

This conference definitely reaffirmed my love for my chosen profession. The occasion to reinforce old knowledge and learn lots of new things was right up my alley. HR is dynamic and ever changings and I love helping both employees and employers realize their full potential.  I love what I do and hope that comes through to all of you. If you are interested in finding out more about my trip and what I learned that may allow me to help your company, please call us at HR Solutions.

 

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