You’ve heard me talk about SHRM once or fifteen times in my career.
For anyone who may not know, SHRM stands for The Society for Human Resource Management. It is the world’s largest HR professional society, representing 300,000 members in more than 165 countries. SHRM markets itself as the voice of all things work— experts and thought leaders on issues currently impacting HR organizations and professionals.
What is the Purpose, Mission, and Vision of SHRM?
“Our purpose is to elevate the HR profession. Our mission is to empower people and workplaces by advancing HR practices and by maximizing human potential. Our vision is to build a world of work that works for all,” the SHRM website states.
SHRM considers themselves the voice of all things work. But many HR organizations and professionals view SHRM as the big brother who sometimes thinks it’s irrational to listen to opinions from their younger siblings.
Where is the SHRM Headquarters?
The SHRM headquarters are in Alexandria, Virginia. The SHRM address is 1800 Duke St # 100, Alexandria, VA 22314. The last time I was there, it was located in an office building with a small bookstore in the lobby.
You can find them on a map here: goo.gl/maps/corKMCPRARu
Who Runs SHRM?
Executive Leadership Team
- Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., SHRM-SCP. President & CEO.
- Sean Roddy. Chief Financial Officer.
- Emily Dickens, J.D. Chief of Staff, Head of Government Affairs & Corporate Secretary.
- Jeaneen Andrews-Feldman. Chief Marketing and Experience Officer.
- James L. Banks, Jr., J.D. General Counsel.
- Nick Schacht, SHRM-SCP. Chief Global Development Officer.
- Alexander Alonso, PH.D. SHRM-SCP, Chief Knowledge Officer.
- Nilanjan Adhya. Chief Digital Officer, Black Rock.
- Wendi Safstrom. Executive Director of the SHRM Foundation.
- Achal Khanna. SHRM India & Business Head, Asia Pacific and MENA.
- Sean Sullivan. SHRM-SCP, Chief Human Resources Officer.
- Mike Aitken. SVP of Membership.
- George Rivera III. SVP of Commercial and Enterprise Sales.
Who is On the SHRM Board of Directors in 2022?
- Chair, Melissa Anderson, SHRM-CP. Senior Vice President, Human Resources, Albemarle Corporation.
- Chair Designate, Betty Thompson, SHRM-SCP. Chief People Officer, Booz Allen Hamilton.
- President & CEO, Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., SHRM-SCP. Society for Human Resource Management.
- Elizabeth Adefioye. Chief People Officer, Emerson.
- Nilanjan Adhya. Chief Digital Officer, Black Rock.
- Janet Alberti. Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, THE HUNTINGTON Library, Art and Botanical Garden.
- Sally Hornick Anderson, SHRM-SCP. Workforce Diversity Director Google People Operations, Google.
- Michelle Bottomley. CEO, Modern Growth Exchange.
- James Clark. President and CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
- Michael D’Ambrose. Executive Vice President, Human Resources, The Boeing Company.
- Paula Harvey, SHRM-SCP. Vice President of Human Resources and Safety Schulte Building Systems, Inc.
- William Phelan. Senior Associate Executive Director & Chief Financial Officer, The American Bar Association.
- Scott Snell, Ph.D. Frank Sands, Sr., Chair in Business Administration, Darden Graduate School of Business, University of Virginia.
- Susana Suarez Gonzalez, Ph.D. Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer, International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc.
You can reach the group at Board@SHRM.org with any questions.
Is SHRM Political?
It depends on who you ask.
If you ask someone else, they’ll historically say that the organization tends to mimic and mirror the US Chamber of Commerce in many ways. In recent news, the passing of H.R. 842, the Protecting the Right to Organize Act (PRO Act)—a policy that creates an imbalance in labor-management relations—SHRM has urged House leaders to support policies that equally represent employees and employers.
Now, if you ask me…they are for sure political. Aside from SHRM’s president affiliating himself with Donald Trump, the organization has had many missteps in its efforts to remain unbiased and culturally in tune with the world of work.
Check out this Punk Rock HR episode, where I and a few HR powerhouses discuss one of SHRM’s recent missteps.
Why Should I Have a SHRM Membership?
A SHRM membership gives you access to content, courses, materials, news and conferences to help improve your core competencies in HR. This membership also provides access to a community of individuals who care about the field of human resources.
Even more important, it allows you to stay in the conversation about what is currently happening in HR and work. From my time at SHRM, I’ve learned you’ve got to be present to be a part of the discussion. As more and more HR organizations/professionals push for diversity and inclusion, it’s not enough to stand on the sidelines. Being a part of the conversation drives change.
What is a SHRM Certification? How Do You Become SHRM- Certified?
SHRM offers testing and credentialing for business professionals who demonstrate an aptitude in the field of human resources. These certifications help professionals advance their skills and careers in HR/HR-related work.
You must pass an exam to become SHRM-certified in either certification. From there, you can recertify using continuing education credits.
Which SHRM Test Should I Take?
There are two types of certifications at SHRM: The SHRM Certified Professional exam (SHRM-CP) and the SHRM Senior Certified Profesional exam (SHRM-SCP).
To be eligible to take the SHRM-CP certification, you don’t have to be a SHRM member, hold an HR title, have a degree, or even have previous experience to apply for the test. However, it’s essential to have a basic understanding of HR practices and principles.
To be eligible for the SHRM-SCP certification, individuals don’t have to hold an HR title or have a degree in HR. But, they do have to have at least 1,000 hours per calendar year dedicated to strategic-level HR/HR-related work.
You can learn more here: www.shrm.org/certification/
Is the SHRM Certification the Same as an HR Certification?
No. There are various types of HR certification tests. Both tests do offer junior and senior certifications. Still, a SHRM notification is easier to earn than getting an HRCI certification, even though HRCI certifications are more widely respected and recognized in the industry. These two certifications aren’t the only ones you can get. HR professionals can obtain an HR certification from multiple organizations, such as CEBS or APA. People can also explore the idea of getting their MBA—the ultimate HR certification.
Why is the SHRM Certification Important?
Like other industries, getting a certification in HR allows for more opportunities to grow and advance to new roles in the industry. So, getting a SHRM certification showcases that you are knowledgeable in your field and closer to becoming an expert.
Can SHRM Help Me Calculate a Turnover Rate?
SHRM members can access this information about calculating the turnover rate when they log in. However, if you are not a member, there are plenty of free calculators that you can use to determine this, like the Omni Calculator.
Can SHRM Help Me Document Reasonable Suspicion?
Yes, but only if you are a member. SHRM can help its members document reasonable suspicion through their accounts. If you are a member, log in to view this article and learn how SHRM can help.
Want more SHRM information? Visit shrm.org today.
Have HR-related questions? Please send them to hello@letsfixwork.com, and I will try to answer them!