Another Day in the HR Field

A quick wish for those who have been following my blog since 2010 when I began writing and had no idea what I was doing as well as those who are new followers or occasional pop ins. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from my home to yours and thank you for your support. As my friend says "I love blogging because there are no right or wrong ways of doing it. I'm sure to the expert, long term bloggers there are wrong ways, but who cares. Just like its not always politically correct to say Merry Christmas in the office these days. To each his own and on this day that I do celebrate its special because its the birthday of our savior, Jesus Christ. For that and my family, I am grateful so Merry Christmas!

Earlier this fall, I started a series on Strategic HR (aka SHRM "the topic not the organization") and while my intentions were to write more on this topic, time got away from me.  However, I did write and initial post that many found helpful which was referencing contributors to the topic of SHRM .  Today's post is a guest post by +Tina Gist who is both an HR professional and a graduate student of HR working on her masters degree and the graduate certificate in HR .  The following goes into much greater detail about several of the most interesting thought leaders in this field.  I personally had the good fortune to meet Dr. Lawler in person at both the Though Leaders Retreat this fall that I wrote about and at the Leadership Conference in DC as we were introduced to the SHRM Foundation board for which he is on.  I have also seen both Micheal Losey and Bill Conaty speak at prior SHRM events .  Enjoy the work from one very talented and knowledgeable student at UIS where

While I did not see any turkey’s on this Pilgrimage it was one that I will remember for a lifetime.   If you were from any other state than Illinois at the annual SHRM Leadership Conference in National Harbor, MD last week you would have seen the sea of red shirts and thought it was a “wow-look at the masses that made the trip (Pilgrimage) from half way across the country too.   Again this year (3 rd in a row) all attendees from the ILSHRM board and chapter board members were offered a red shirt to wear for two reason: 1) Take a group photo and 2) show our team/state spirit.   The latter was the more important of the two because no one felt alone.   They had others to turn to and felt included which is extremely important to me as a leader in this state.   In the “ Strengths Finder ” assessment one of my top five is “INCLUDER” and if this is the only legacy I leave for my time in a leadership role, I am ecstatic, because when I was a chapter leader, I had no idea what the State

A Guest Post by UIS Grad Student Demario Turner Overview of the CIC-SHRM Diversity Event-October 24, 2012   As a student enrolled in a Strategic Human Resource Management class, I was extended the opportunity to attend a Diversity seminar hosted by Central Illinois Council Society of Human Resource Management (CIC-SHRM). Reluctant to take off work and make the drive to Springfield, IL from Champaign, IL, at the conclusion of the event my feelings were different. Beyond being greeted with breakfast, I found that this learning event was, informative in substance, provided a glimpse of CIC-SHRM’s opportunities, certifications, objectives, and an opportunity to network with other HR professionals. The seminar, “Ensuring a Culturally Competent Workforce” was presented by Lorena Johnson, Director of the CPM Program at UIS , has an extensive background in Professional Development and Diversity Education. The learning objectives where to define cu

Saying yes to both the employee and the employer is the role in terms of HR when it comes to workplace flexibility. Understanding that flexibility is not just good for the employee is not only HRs job but managements job as well. These are the overall messages I heard over and over again in the sessions at the SHRM #Workplace12 conference in partnership with FWI (Family Work Institute . Which by the way, FWI has been doing this research and encouraging workplace flexibility for over thirty years and is documented in the book just produced (pictured to left) called Workflex The Essential Guide to Effective and Flexible Workplaces. The book is so popular that it is already temporarily sold out.  That to me is an impressive statement since it was just released. The point is employers don't really have a choice to ignore something that has been an issue, concern, career threat for so long. I know personally have been dealing with this issue for over 20 years not only in my own life