1. Highlights from the Hill
2 Goals:
Highlights from the conference and resources available to you
Understand advocacy and how you can make a difference
Understanding current hr issues and advocacy from SHRM’s march 2017 conference

2. Creating a 21st Century Work Place
Innovative
Increase workplace Flexibility
Enhance Employer-Sponsored Benefits Programs
Fair
Provide Fair Employment Practices
Provide Effective Labor-Management Relations
Competitive
Close the Skills Gap
Reform the US Immigration Systems
Innovative Increase workplace FlexibilitY
Enhance Employer-Sponsored Benefits Programs
Fair: Provide Fair Employment Practices
Provide Effective Labor-Management Relations

3. 2 Key Topics Discussed Throughout the Conference
Health Care
Workplace Flexibility
Health Care:
177 million Americans & their families have coverage through employer sponsored plans.
More than 16 times of people who have coverage through the ACA (Exchange)
Although the ACA has expanded access health insurance to an ~20 million Americans
Increasing health care costs burdens er’s, individuals and the economy
SHRM supports reforms that lower health care costs and improves access to high quality & affordable coverage
Workplace Flexibility
Though most er’s offer some form of paid leave and flexible work options
Policy makers continue to pursue mandated approaches
This could force some er’s to
SHRM’s stance

4. Health Care Background Employer Issues SHRM’s Position
Employer-sponsored plans are the bedrock to more than 177 million Americans and their families.
Employer Issues
Increasing Health Care Costs
Expanded Regulatory Requirements
Reduced Flexibility in Managing their Employer-Sponsored Plans as a Result of the ACA
SHRM’s Position
Supports reform that lower health care costs and improve access to high-quality and affordable coverage
Reform proposals should
Ensure the tax policy contributes to lower costs and greater access
Preserve the ERISA Act
Encourage increased use of prevention and wellness programs
Improve quality and transparency
Streamline medical liability laws to reduce health care costs
NLRB:
The two board members in attendance were: Lauren McFerran who was appointed December 2014 and Phillip Miscimarra was appointed in August 2013 and was a dissenter on NLRB’s 3-2 vote on the “Ambush Election” decision.

5. Workplace Flexibility
Background
Along with FMLA, 99% of employers with 50 or more employers offer some sort of paid leave option for some portion of their full-time employees
Voluntary paid leave programs work as they offer flexibility to the work/life needs of today’s diverse workforce
Issue
Policymakers continue to pursue mandated approaches to paid leave
SHRM’s Position
The US must have a 21st century workforce flexibility policy that fits the needs of both the employers and employees
Employers should be encouraged to voluntarily offer paid leave
Proposals should accommodate varying work environments, industries and company size
Not a one-size-fits-all mandate

6. View from the Hill
SHRM IL Delegation met with a Staffer for Senator Tammy Duckworth and a Senior Staffer for Senator Dick Durbin
Discussed the 2 Key Topics – Heaviest Focus on Health Care
HR Professionals should participate in Advocacy Day for the experience if nothing else.

7. STRONG PARTNER FOR OUR LEGISLATORS
What is an Advocate?
ADVOCATE + KNOWLEDGE ADVISOR/SME =
STRONG PARTNER FOR OUR LEGISLATORS
How to get involved? Pick your level of involvement:
60 Seconds/Quarter: Follow your legislators on Twitter or other Social Media
2 Minutes/Quarter: Write a short note to your legislator or read an issues-related blog
1 Hour/Quarter: Write a letter to your legislators regarding a relevant HR-related issue: information and/or support
2 Hours/Quarter: Assist Stateline SHRM’s Gov’t Advocacy Director with monthly reports
2-3 Days/Quarter: Attend either the National or State SHRM Legislative Conference (March and April respectively)
To me, sharing information to those who have little to know knowledge of HR-related subjects is one of the biggest parts of being an advocate.
Advocate definition: A person who speaks or writes in support or defense of a person, cause, etc. (from dictionary.com) Also, someone who is willing and wanting to be involved

8. WIIFY??
Potential to earn SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP/HRCI credits towards recertification!
Here are some examples:
Writing a letter to your Congressman on HR-Related legislation
Attend the Employment Law and Legislative Conference
Participate on Day on the Hill in Washington D.C.
Letter writing under HRCI: Must be HR-related, 0.25/letter, up to 1 hour/year, 3/hours/recertification cycle. Each letter must be on a different issue.

9. What It Takes To Be A Leader