April 2015 Newsletter
In the April newsletter, you'll find information on how to take your career to the next level, the 2015 HR Expo, upcoming NOVA SHRM events, as well as new legislative updates, and much more.
Content
In This Issue
Upcoming Events
HR in the News
Featured Member
HR Jobs
Take Your Career to the Next Level
HiRe EXPO
Legislative Alert
Get Certified with GMU
HR Library
Clear Law Institute
Frontline Talent Accelerator
VA Tech MBA
VLP Financial Advisors
Referral Program
Upcoming Events
April 29
Think Big, Do Big, Win Big
Speaker:
Daniel Ally
Location:
Tysons Corner
Time: 5:30pm
Register Now
April 30
Compensation & Benefits SIG
Best Practices for 401(k) Plans
Location: Herndon
Time: 8:00am
Register Now
May 8
Training & Development SIG
Coaching Emotional Intelligence
Location: Falls Church
The Pulse
HR Jobs
HR Generalist, Arlington, VA, Apr 7
Account Manager, McLean, VA, Apr 7
Director of Human Resources, Washington, DC, Apr 7
HR and Benefits Administration Professional, Alexandria, VA, Apr 7
HR/Payroll Coordinator, Washington, DC, Mar 20
Interim Talent Recruiter, Arlington, VA, Mar 19
Human Resources Associate, Vienna, VA, Mar 16
Compensation Analyst/HR Administrator, Fairfax, VA,
Mar 12
HR Specialist, Washington, DC, Mar 12
Read More
7 Steps to Take Your Career to the Next
Level
By Daniel Ally
Daniel will be speaking to NOVA SHRM on April 29, 2015. He is the
President and CEO of The Ally Way International, which helps
individuals to improve their performance to promote greater results.
7 Steps to Take Your Career to the Next Level
I recently discovered that there are a multitude of people who are ready for
promotions. They have been doing their best at their work and even
volunteering their time to give the best value to the causes they care about‐
‐‐but they haven't been about to get to the next level of their career.
There are many ways to get to the next level of your career and you must
be determined. This world is too competitive to lay back. You must take
charge of your dreams. If you want to take your career to the next level,
you must take these 7 steps seriously:
1. Evaluate Yourself: We are sometimes our worst evaluators. Right when
Time: 7:30am
Register Now
May 19
Developing, Selling & Launching an
"Unlimited Vacation" Program
Speaker: Peter Keeble
Location: Tysons Corner
Time: 7:30am
Register Now
HR in the News
Future of Work: Using Gamification
for Human Resources ‐ Forbes.com
The Future of Work: Say Goodbye to
HR? ‐ Fortune
Pay Transparency: Paid in Full
Disclosure ‐ Workforce.com
2 Big Reasons Employees are More
Willing to Quit than Ever Before ‐
HRMorning.com
Featured Member
Amber Myers
Name of University, Name of
Program and expected graduation
date:
George Mason University
BS, Business Marketing (electives
concentrated in HR Management)
Expected Graduation Date:
December 2015
What is your current professional
status?
I am currently a Human Resources
Intern at Human Capital Strategic
Consulting and the Student Assistant
to the Head of Collection
we think we have it all together, we are proved wrong once again. The best
way to evaluate yourself is to let someone you trust do it for you. Ask
yourself "Am I really as good as I think I am?" If not, find out ways that you
can get better. Evaluations take deep moments of reflection. You can't do it
if you're busy all the time. Create time for yourself.
2. Add Value to Others: Ask yourself, "What do I really need to do to add
more value to more people?" If you find that there are deficiencies in your
abilities, learn how you can correct them and make it happen. Give people
what they want and your bank account will soar. You'll be in demand and
there will be a line at your door.
3. Search Endlessly: We live in the search age. Your competitors are doing
more research than you think. It's your goal to search for people, places
and things. You not only have to search online, but you have to be willing to
make the trip happen in person. Too many people pushing keys behind the
screen. Get out there and show them who you are. Most of life is just
showing up. There are more opportunities to those who are in person.
4. Ask Questions: Call people and ask them questions. Prepare your
questions well before hand and fire away. The person who goes the
furthest asks the best questions. Always formulate strategic questions and
make sure they lead you into the channel in which you would like to be.
Don't answer your questions, question your answers.
5. Start Planning: Write down the goal that you have and formulate a plan
to achieve it. This is simpler than you think. All you have to do is to have a
major goal for 2015 and write down 20 ideas or more on how you can
achieve it. You don't have to spend a lot of money on planning. Write down
what you want and it will manifest. If you are failing to plan, you are
planning to fail.
6. Get Training: Listen to audio programs, read books, and attend seminars.
Youtube.com has a gold‐mine of resources. You can also sign up for
newsletters or hire a coach. Build your skills and become better in the
marketplace. Develop an appetite for life‐long learning. You should read a
book or two per month. Create a plan in this area too.
7. Don't Settle: The reason why most people fail is because they settle for
less. Expect great things in life. If you find that you are in a discouraging
atmosphere, change that by going somewhere else. Look for new friends by
firing the old ones. Reach for higher levels and foster a winning attitude.
Ask yourself, "Where would I like to be by the year 2020?" Then act
accordingly.
Looking for a New Job? Register for HiRe
EXPO Today!
HiRe EXPO is Washington, DC area's premier recruiting event for human
resources professionals. The EXPO will include many of the area's largest
employers, including commercial companies, government contractors, non‐
profit organizations and employment agencies. Registered candidates can
also participate in one or more of our exclusive resource rooms, including:
Development and the Electronic
Resources librarian at George Mason
Libraries.
What are you looking to pursue in
the future, and how do you think
NOVA SHRM can help you achieve
your future goals?
After graduation, I want to pursue a
career in HR where I am able to apply
the knowledge I gained from my
marketing and HR courses to help
brand my future employer by
attracting and retaining new talent. I
also plan to further my education by
receiving my Master's in Human
Resource Management. I believe
NOVA SHRM will allow me to
network with HR professionals that
will give me a real world experience
of different areas in HR and help me
to achieve my professional goals.
Why did you become a NOVA SHRM
Student Member?
As a student I believe it's important
to network with professionals that
work in the field you are currently
pursuing, so you can gain a real
world experience, become exposed
to the environment you are pursuing,
and acquire new practical
applications of my studies
Read More
Resumé Writing
Interviewing Best Practices
Professional Image Headshots
HiRe EXPO
DATE: Tuesday, April 28, 2015
TIME: 9:00am ‐ 2:00pm
LOCATION: Sheraton Tysons Corner
Get more information about the EXPO at www.hireexpo.net.
This event is brought to you by:
NOVA SHRM
Dulles SHRM
Prince William SHRM
HR Girlfriends, LLC
Legislative Alert
This Legislative Alert is brought to you by Lawrence P. Postol, Vice President
for Legislative Affairs, NOVA SHRM, and Partner at Seyfarth Shaw, LLP.
NOVA SHRM Wins
Platinum EXCEL
Award from SHRM
NOVA SHRM was recently
awarded the highest honor by
SHRM in receiving the 2014
Platinum EXCEL Award. This
award recognizes outstanding
achievements in chapter
operations and a commitment
to providing meaningful
programs and services to
members. It also is recognition
of the chapter's continued
growth and development as a
business leader.
Test Your Knowledge: Employee Handbook True/False
Quiz; US Supreme Court Decision On Pregnancy
Discrimination, NLRB New Quickie Election Rules, and
DC Wage Theft Law
Employee Handbooks
Although employers are not required by law to have employee handbooks,
if an employer chooses to go down such a path, legal compliance and being
current with latest trends is a must. A non‐compliant employee handbook
can be used in claims of discrimination, union grievances, and other
employee‐employer disputes. Test your knowledge of latest legal trends in
employee handbooks. True or False?
1. Employers should consider including a pregnancy accommodation policy
in its handbook?
True. As noted below, the U.S. Supreme Court has held that pregnant
workers may be entitled to accommodations. In addition, states and
municipalities are passing pregnancy accommodation laws that require
accommodation of pregnant workers, and in most cases provide greater
rights and protections. Thus, employers need to review their employee
handbooks for this issue.
Our Sponsors
2. Non‐union employers do not need to worry about the National Labor
Relations Board guidance on Handbooks?
False. The National Labor Relations Act applies to all employers ‐ union and
non‐union. The NLRB has been very active in challenging policies and
handbooks of non‐union employers, especially in the areas of Social Media,
Employer Confidential Information and Rules of Conduct. All employers
should be reviewing their handbooks in light of this guidance.
3. There should be a carve out for the employment at will policy in any
handbook that references the employer's ability to change at any time any
of the employer's policies in the handbook?
True. It is best practice to include in any handbook a reference to an
employer's right to revise, modify or eliminate any policy at any time ‐
except for the policy of at‐will employment. An employer does not want to
concede that a mere policy or handbook change can result in any changes
to the at‐will employment relationship that governs in most workplaces. It
is important to maintain the at‐will employment policy and relationship to
prevent wrongful termination claims and breach of contract claims.
Read More
Get SHRM‐Certified with GMU!
2015 Board Members
Mimi Shieh, PHR
President
Michelle Cleavenger, SPHR
President‐Elect
Megan Sacco, PHR
Co‐VP, Programs
Edie Freeman, SPHR
Co‐VP, Programs
NOVA SHRM is proud to collaborate with George Mason University's Office
of Continuing Education to bring you their Human Resource Management
Certificate program to help you prepare for the SHRM‐CP (Certified
Professional) and SHRM‐SCP (Senior Certified Professional) exams.
This intensive program combines expert instruction with the SHRM
Learning System® for SHRM‐CP/SHRM‐SCP. You will learn faster, retain
more knowledge and stay on track for success on the certification exam.
Even better, get a $50 discount on registration when you use the online
code NOVASHRM!
Program Details
Register to receive the UPDATED 2015 SHRM Learning System,
including SmartStudy(TM) tools, learning modules, and online
resources
Learn from an experienced, certified instructor
Choose from 7‐week, 12‐week, or online courses
Courses offered at convenient Northern Virginia locations
Next class begins April 18th. Register online today to get started!
Mary Kitson, PHR
VP, Mentoring
Lawrence Postol
VP, Legislative Affairs
Jennifer Djouadi
VP, Special Interest Groups
Brian Diemar, GBDS
VP, Marketing & Public Relations
Nancy Bonnafe‐Riegle, PHR
Treasurer
Sharifa Gomez, PHR, CHRP
Director
Emily Dorsey
Secretary
Marianna Knight, SPHR
Strategic Planning Leader
Jennifer Zanone
Director, SHRM Foundation
Keisha Morton
VP, Membership
John Herweh
VP, Education
Renae Barlieb
Social Media Strategist
Danielle Tope, PHR
University Relations Coordinator
Drema McCoy, PHR
Newsletter Editor
Get Certified. Get Money Back.
To help support your certification goals, if you earn your SHRM‐CP or
SHRM‐SCP certification in 2015, NOVA SHRM will provide a $75 rebate to
offset your exam costs when you complete and submit this form. Take
advantage of this exclusive offer as a friend of NOVA SHRM, and let us
know when you get certified!
HR Library & Important News
Job Openings Tick Upward to 14 Year High
There were 5.1 million job openings at the close of February 2015, the
highest level of openings since January 2001, according to the latest Job
Openings and Labor Turnover Survey report from the Bureau of Labor
Statistics (BLS).
The number of available jobs ticked up 168,000 from January 2015 and
significantly rose from 4.2 million a year ago.
Over the 12 months ending in February 2015, hires totaled 59.3 million and
separations totaled 56.1 million, yielding a net employment gain of 3.2
million. There were 4.9 million hires in February, which despite the increase
in job openings, continues a downward trend from 5.0 million hires in
January and 5.1 million hires in December 2014.
In a separate report, BLS data showed that employers added 126,000 jobs
in March 2015‐the fewest since December 2013‐breaking a 12‐month
streak where gains exceeded 200,000 jobs a month.
"After the disappointing numbers from the BLS's March Employment
Situation report, many economic analysts were a bit more curious than
usual about what the latest Job Openings and Labor Turnover report would
say," said Jennifer Schramm, SHRM‐SCP, manager of workforce trends at
the Society for Human Resource Management. "The trend the February
numbers are following can be considered a relatively good one. The
number of job openings remains fairly high and the voluntary separations,
or quits rate, is at a level that indicates that many workers are reasonably
confident about seeking new job opportunities."
The quits rate is what many HR professionals keep an eye on as they
consider whether they should be bracing for higher voluntary turnover
rates, said Schramm.
Read More
Webinars from Clear Law Institute
NOVA SHRM has partnered with Clear Law Institute to offer its members
a 20% discount off any live webinar, on‐demand webinar, or all‐access
webinar membership program. Get professional development with just a
mouse‐click, anytime, from anywhere!
Thousands of HR professionals attend Clear Law's courses because of:
1. Presenters who are both experts and engaging speakers
2. Money‐back refund if not completely satisfied
3. Courses that are approved for HRCI and SHRM credit
See the Current LIVE & On‐Demand Webinars.
How do you get the discount? Just e‐mail
novashrmboardcommu[email protected] and request the discount
code.
Frontline Talent Accelerator
(Washington, DC)
Are you on the frontline seeking change personally, professionally and/or in
your community? If so, then register today for the Frontline Talent
Accelerator in Washington, DC on either Wednesday, April 29 or Friday,
May 1 brought to you by D.G. Horgan Group.
This leadership development program is a hands‐on, experiential learning
opportunity focused on three core areas: self‐discovery, relationship
building, and influencing change. We explore how our personal brand is
defined and how it evolves based on our attitude, strengths and actions.
With greater self‐awareness as the foundation, we focus on enhancing
interpersonal skills which can foster and sustain relationships as the
groundwork for high performing teams. We practice effectively managing
up, down and across to strengthen participants' influence, and we help
those on the frontline plan for and navigate change by strengthening their
ability to adapt, critically think and problem solve. Using the principles and
practices of design theory and storytelling, we coach individuals on how to
apply creativity and innovation when inspiring, addressing or driving
change.
For more information and to receive a $20 partner discount, register using
the code FTADC: http://www.dghorgangroup.com/frontline/.
From Our Sponsor: VA Tech MBA
Program
Get Your MBA at VA Tech's Pamplin College of
Business!
The Virginia Tech Pamplin College of Business has an Executive MBA
program conveniently located on North Glebe Road near the Ballston
Metro in Arlington, Virginia. The program is tailored for business leaders
interested in taking their careers to the next level. The program is designed
for a diverse group of experienced professionals, future leaders, and
entrepreneurs with approximately 8 or more years of work experience.
Visit the VA Tech website for more information.
From Our Sponsor: VLP Financial
Advisors
VLP Financial Advisors specializes in creating
and maintaining high quality retirement plans
for small to medium sized businesses. We are
committed to making sure that as a business
owner, your retirement plan helps attract and
retain high caliber employees. In addition, we
are committed to ensuring that plan participants have the education and
resources they need to prepare for a successful retirement as well as an
advisor they can contact with any questions they may have.
For more information, visit http://www.vlpfa.com/.
NOVA SHRM HR Excellence Referral
Program
Did you know that you can receive rewards for referring new members to
NOVA SHRM? To take advantage of our HR Excellence Referral
Program, just invite your colleagues and friends and introduce them to the
value and advantages that you have been enjoying by participating
in the Chapter.
How does it work?
1. Introduce a colleague/friend to NOVA SHRM by attending an event
or simply telling them about the Chapter.
2. Your colleague/friend becomes a member and is approved for a
Professional membership (Professional, Student, or an Associate
3. Membership).
4. Your colleague/friend remains a member for a minimum of 6
months.
What do you gain as your benefit?
Number of
Referrals
Your Benefit
1
1 free monthly meeting of your choice
2
2 free monthly meetings of your choice
3
2 free monthly meetings of your choice
1 free annual NOVA SHRM membership
4
3 free monthly meetings of your choice
1 free annual NOVA SHRM membership
If you have met the qualifications for this program, please send a message
to the VP, Membership, Keisha Morton, at [email protected],
with details including:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Your Name;
Membership category;
Years of membership status ;
As they become available, the meetings you are interested in
attending.
I hope you enjoyed the latest edition of our monthly newsletter. Please
contact me at [email protected] to provide feedback
and comments, to submit an article, or to sponsor the next issue of the
NOVA SHRM Pulse.
Sincerely,
Drema McCoy
Newsletter Editor
Copyright © 2015. All Rights Reserved.
Upcoming Events
HR in the News
Featured Member
HR Jobs
Take Your Career to the Next Level
HiRe EXPO
Legislative Alert
Get Certified with GMU
HR Library
Clear Law Institute
Frontline Talent Accelerator
VA Tech MBA
VLP Financial Advisors
Referral Program
Upcoming Events
April 29
Think Big, Do Big, Win Big
Speaker:
Daniel Ally
Location:
Tysons Corner
Time: 5:30pm
Register Now
April 30
Compensation & Benefits SIG
Best Practices for 401(k) Plans
Location: Herndon
Time: 8:00am
Register Now
May 8
Training & Development SIG
Coaching Emotional Intelligence
Location: Falls Church
The Pulse
HR Jobs
HR Generalist, Arlington, VA, Apr 7
Account Manager, McLean, VA, Apr 7
Director of Human Resources, Washington, DC, Apr 7
HR and Benefits Administration Professional, Alexandria, VA, Apr 7
HR/Payroll Coordinator, Washington, DC, Mar 20
Interim Talent Recruiter, Arlington, VA, Mar 19
Human Resources Associate, Vienna, VA, Mar 16
Compensation Analyst/HR Administrator, Fairfax, VA,
Mar 12
HR Specialist, Washington, DC, Mar 12
Read More
7 Steps to Take Your Career to the Next
Level
By Daniel Ally
Daniel will be speaking to NOVA SHRM on April 29, 2015. He is the
President and CEO of The Ally Way International, which helps
individuals to improve their performance to promote greater results.
7 Steps to Take Your Career to the Next Level
I recently discovered that there are a multitude of people who are ready for
promotions. They have been doing their best at their work and even
volunteering their time to give the best value to the causes they care about‐
‐‐but they haven't been about to get to the next level of their career.
There are many ways to get to the next level of your career and you must
be determined. This world is too competitive to lay back. You must take
charge of your dreams. If you want to take your career to the next level,
you must take these 7 steps seriously:
1. Evaluate Yourself: We are sometimes our worst evaluators. Right when
Time: 7:30am
Register Now
May 19
Developing, Selling & Launching an
"Unlimited Vacation" Program
Speaker: Peter Keeble
Location: Tysons Corner
Time: 7:30am
Register Now
HR in the News
Future of Work: Using Gamification
for Human Resources ‐ Forbes.com
The Future of Work: Say Goodbye to
HR? ‐ Fortune
Pay Transparency: Paid in Full
Disclosure ‐ Workforce.com
2 Big Reasons Employees are More
Willing to Quit than Ever Before ‐
HRMorning.com
Featured Member
Amber Myers
Name of University, Name of
Program and expected graduation
date:
George Mason University
BS, Business Marketing (electives
concentrated in HR Management)
Expected Graduation Date:
December 2015
What is your current professional
status?
I am currently a Human Resources
Intern at Human Capital Strategic
Consulting and the Student Assistant
to the Head of Collection
we think we have it all together, we are proved wrong once again. The best
way to evaluate yourself is to let someone you trust do it for you. Ask
yourself "Am I really as good as I think I am?" If not, find out ways that you
can get better. Evaluations take deep moments of reflection. You can't do it
if you're busy all the time. Create time for yourself.
2. Add Value to Others: Ask yourself, "What do I really need to do to add
more value to more people?" If you find that there are deficiencies in your
abilities, learn how you can correct them and make it happen. Give people
what they want and your bank account will soar. You'll be in demand and
there will be a line at your door.
3. Search Endlessly: We live in the search age. Your competitors are doing
more research than you think. It's your goal to search for people, places
and things. You not only have to search online, but you have to be willing to
make the trip happen in person. Too many people pushing keys behind the
screen. Get out there and show them who you are. Most of life is just
showing up. There are more opportunities to those who are in person.
4. Ask Questions: Call people and ask them questions. Prepare your
questions well before hand and fire away. The person who goes the
furthest asks the best questions. Always formulate strategic questions and
make sure they lead you into the channel in which you would like to be.
Don't answer your questions, question your answers.
5. Start Planning: Write down the goal that you have and formulate a plan
to achieve it. This is simpler than you think. All you have to do is to have a
major goal for 2015 and write down 20 ideas or more on how you can
achieve it. You don't have to spend a lot of money on planning. Write down
what you want and it will manifest. If you are failing to plan, you are
planning to fail.
6. Get Training: Listen to audio programs, read books, and attend seminars.
Youtube.com has a gold‐mine of resources. You can also sign up for
newsletters or hire a coach. Build your skills and become better in the
marketplace. Develop an appetite for life‐long learning. You should read a
book or two per month. Create a plan in this area too.
7. Don't Settle: The reason why most people fail is because they settle for
less. Expect great things in life. If you find that you are in a discouraging
atmosphere, change that by going somewhere else. Look for new friends by
firing the old ones. Reach for higher levels and foster a winning attitude.
Ask yourself, "Where would I like to be by the year 2020?" Then act
accordingly.
Looking for a New Job? Register for HiRe
EXPO Today!
HiRe EXPO is Washington, DC area's premier recruiting event for human
resources professionals. The EXPO will include many of the area's largest
employers, including commercial companies, government contractors, non‐
profit organizations and employment agencies. Registered candidates can
also participate in one or more of our exclusive resource rooms, including:
Development and the Electronic
Resources librarian at George Mason
Libraries.
What are you looking to pursue in
the future, and how do you think
NOVA SHRM can help you achieve
your future goals?
After graduation, I want to pursue a
career in HR where I am able to apply
the knowledge I gained from my
marketing and HR courses to help
brand my future employer by
attracting and retaining new talent. I
also plan to further my education by
receiving my Master's in Human
Resource Management. I believe
NOVA SHRM will allow me to
network with HR professionals that
will give me a real world experience
of different areas in HR and help me
to achieve my professional goals.
Why did you become a NOVA SHRM
Student Member?
As a student I believe it's important
to network with professionals that
work in the field you are currently
pursuing, so you can gain a real
world experience, become exposed
to the environment you are pursuing,
and acquire new practical
applications of my studies
Read More
Resumé Writing
Interviewing Best Practices
Professional Image Headshots
HiRe EXPO
DATE: Tuesday, April 28, 2015
TIME: 9:00am ‐ 2:00pm
LOCATION: Sheraton Tysons Corner
Get more information about the EXPO at www.hireexpo.net.
This event is brought to you by:
NOVA SHRM
Dulles SHRM
Prince William SHRM
HR Girlfriends, LLC
Legislative Alert
This Legislative Alert is brought to you by Lawrence P. Postol, Vice President
for Legislative Affairs, NOVA SHRM, and Partner at Seyfarth Shaw, LLP.
NOVA SHRM Wins
Platinum EXCEL
Award from SHRM
NOVA SHRM was recently
awarded the highest honor by
SHRM in receiving the 2014
Platinum EXCEL Award. This
award recognizes outstanding
achievements in chapter
operations and a commitment
to providing meaningful
programs and services to
members. It also is recognition
of the chapter's continued
growth and development as a
business leader.
Test Your Knowledge: Employee Handbook True/False
Quiz; US Supreme Court Decision On Pregnancy
Discrimination, NLRB New Quickie Election Rules, and
DC Wage Theft Law
Employee Handbooks
Although employers are not required by law to have employee handbooks,
if an employer chooses to go down such a path, legal compliance and being
current with latest trends is a must. A non‐compliant employee handbook
can be used in claims of discrimination, union grievances, and other
employee‐employer disputes. Test your knowledge of latest legal trends in
employee handbooks. True or False?
1. Employers should consider including a pregnancy accommodation policy
in its handbook?
True. As noted below, the U.S. Supreme Court has held that pregnant
workers may be entitled to accommodations. In addition, states and
municipalities are passing pregnancy accommodation laws that require
accommodation of pregnant workers, and in most cases provide greater
rights and protections. Thus, employers need to review their employee
handbooks for this issue.
Our Sponsors
2. Non‐union employers do not need to worry about the National Labor
Relations Board guidance on Handbooks?
False. The National Labor Relations Act applies to all employers ‐ union and
non‐union. The NLRB has been very active in challenging policies and
handbooks of non‐union employers, especially in the areas of Social Media,
Employer Confidential Information and Rules of Conduct. All employers
should be reviewing their handbooks in light of this guidance.
3. There should be a carve out for the employment at will policy in any
handbook that references the employer's ability to change at any time any
of the employer's policies in the handbook?
True. It is best practice to include in any handbook a reference to an
employer's right to revise, modify or eliminate any policy at any time ‐
except for the policy of at‐will employment. An employer does not want to
concede that a mere policy or handbook change can result in any changes
to the at‐will employment relationship that governs in most workplaces. It
is important to maintain the at‐will employment policy and relationship to
prevent wrongful termination claims and breach of contract claims.
Read More
Get SHRM‐Certified with GMU!
2015 Board Members
Mimi Shieh, PHR
President
Michelle Cleavenger, SPHR
President‐Elect
Megan Sacco, PHR
Co‐VP, Programs
Edie Freeman, SPHR
Co‐VP, Programs
NOVA SHRM is proud to collaborate with George Mason University's Office
of Continuing Education to bring you their Human Resource Management
Certificate program to help you prepare for the SHRM‐CP (Certified
Professional) and SHRM‐SCP (Senior Certified Professional) exams.
This intensive program combines expert instruction with the SHRM
Learning System® for SHRM‐CP/SHRM‐SCP. You will learn faster, retain
more knowledge and stay on track for success on the certification exam.
Even better, get a $50 discount on registration when you use the online
code NOVASHRM!
Program Details
Register to receive the UPDATED 2015 SHRM Learning System,
including SmartStudy(TM) tools, learning modules, and online
resources
Learn from an experienced, certified instructor
Choose from 7‐week, 12‐week, or online courses
Courses offered at convenient Northern Virginia locations
Next class begins April 18th. Register online today to get started!
Mary Kitson, PHR
VP, Mentoring
Lawrence Postol
VP, Legislative Affairs
Jennifer Djouadi
VP, Special Interest Groups
Brian Diemar, GBDS
VP, Marketing & Public Relations
Nancy Bonnafe‐Riegle, PHR
Treasurer
Sharifa Gomez, PHR, CHRP
Director
Emily Dorsey
Secretary
Marianna Knight, SPHR
Strategic Planning Leader
Jennifer Zanone
Director, SHRM Foundation
Keisha Morton
VP, Membership
John Herweh
VP, Education
Renae Barlieb
Social Media Strategist
Danielle Tope, PHR
University Relations Coordinator
Drema McCoy, PHR
Newsletter Editor
Get Certified. Get Money Back.
To help support your certification goals, if you earn your SHRM‐CP or
SHRM‐SCP certification in 2015, NOVA SHRM will provide a $75 rebate to
offset your exam costs when you complete and submit this form. Take
advantage of this exclusive offer as a friend of NOVA SHRM, and let us
know when you get certified!
HR Library & Important News
Job Openings Tick Upward to 14 Year High
There were 5.1 million job openings at the close of February 2015, the
highest level of openings since January 2001, according to the latest Job
Openings and Labor Turnover Survey report from the Bureau of Labor
Statistics (BLS).
The number of available jobs ticked up 168,000 from January 2015 and
significantly rose from 4.2 million a year ago.
Over the 12 months ending in February 2015, hires totaled 59.3 million and
separations totaled 56.1 million, yielding a net employment gain of 3.2
million. There were 4.9 million hires in February, which despite the increase
in job openings, continues a downward trend from 5.0 million hires in
January and 5.1 million hires in December 2014.
In a separate report, BLS data showed that employers added 126,000 jobs
in March 2015‐the fewest since December 2013‐breaking a 12‐month
streak where gains exceeded 200,000 jobs a month.
"After the disappointing numbers from the BLS's March Employment
Situation report, many economic analysts were a bit more curious than
usual about what the latest Job Openings and Labor Turnover report would
say," said Jennifer Schramm, SHRM‐SCP, manager of workforce trends at
the Society for Human Resource Management. "The trend the February
numbers are following can be considered a relatively good one. The
number of job openings remains fairly high and the voluntary separations,
or quits rate, is at a level that indicates that many workers are reasonably
confident about seeking new job opportunities."
The quits rate is what many HR professionals keep an eye on as they
consider whether they should be bracing for higher voluntary turnover
rates, said Schramm.
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NOVA SHRM HR Excellence Referral
Program
Did you know that you can receive rewards for referring new members to
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Program, just invite your colleagues and friends and introduce them to the
value and advantages that you have been enjoying by participating
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How does it work?
1. Introduce a colleague/friend to NOVA SHRM by attending an event
or simply telling them about the Chapter.
2. Your colleague/friend becomes a member and is approved for a
Professional membership (Professional, Student, or an Associate
3. Membership).
4. Your colleague/friend remains a member for a minimum of 6
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What do you gain as your benefit?
Number of
Referrals
Your Benefit
1
1 free monthly meeting of your choice
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2 free monthly meetings of your choice
3
2 free monthly meetings of your choice
1 free annual NOVA SHRM membership
4
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If you have met the qualifications for this program, please send a message
to the VP, Membership, Keisha Morton, at [email protected],
with details including:
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2.
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Your Name;
Membership category;
Years of membership status ;
As they become available, the meetings you are interested in
attending.
I hope you enjoyed the latest edition of our monthly newsletter. Please
contact me at [email protected] to provide feedback
and comments, to submit an article, or to sponsor the next issue of the
NOVA SHRM Pulse.
Sincerely,
Drema McCoy
Newsletter Editor
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