SKCHRA and SHRM Banner  
 October 2013 

Whether you are new to the HR field or have many years of experience, South King County HR Association is a great resource for networking, information, professional development and continued support of excellence in Human Resources.

In This Issue
October Chapter Meeting
President's Letter
Conducting Lawful Investigations
The SKCHRA Buzz
Diversity Leaders
Health Exchange
New Chapter Members
Meeting Registration

The Collaborative Paradox: Learning Objectives

 

Participants in this presentation will examine and begin to plan for some of the questions that will need to be addressed as organizations begin their quest for "Developing a Collaborative IQ."

 

The questions to be considered:

  • Why traditional management is no longer sufficient and is now the problem.
  • What is collaboration really?
  • Why has it always been so hard to collaborate?
  • Will hierarchies have to go?
  • Is your workforce capable of collaborating on a sustained basis?
  • What can HR do the lead the way? 

The Actions and Opportunities to Learn About:

  • Identify and plan the development of key collaborative leaders.
  • Identify specific opportunities for collaborative skill development among your direct reports.
  • Identify who should be invested in your success and how to win their support.
  • Learn how to intentionally establish a collaborative relationship.
  • Click here to register    
  
  
Presidents letter  
 
Gold Shape Award
  

SHRM Assurance of Learning System and Exam

  

Many Chapter members obtain their certification by attending study groups that use learning materials from SHRM.   Eau Claire of the University of Wisconsin is conducting a survey regarding the SHRM Assurance of Learning System and exam. Are you familiar with the system or the exam? 

 

Many of you may know that the requirements to sit for PHR certification changed in 2011. In order to be eligible to take the exam, students and practitioners must have a minimum of two years of exempt-level HR experience. This change made it difficult for students and recent graduates to get into the field of HR and rendered many ineligible to sit for the exam. To bridge this gap for hiring managers and assist graduates and entry-level practitioners, SHRM created the Assurance of Learning System. 

 

Now SHRM would like your feedback in evaluating the effectiveness of this tool. I would like to personally encourage you to take the short survey and help the University in its research. This system helps to shape professionals striving to be the best in Human Resources, and your feedback is invaluable.

  

 Read full letter 

 

"Conducting Lawful Investigations: Just the Facts."

   

On September 12th the South King County HR Association, in conjunction with the Seattle office of Littler Mendelson, P.C., held an interactive workshop entitled, "Conducting Lawful Investigations: Just the Facts." More than 100 HR professionals, business owners, and managers gathered from all areas of Washington State to attend this practical workshop led by employment law attorneys Jim Zissler, Breanne Sheetz, and Deidra Nguyen. In the course of the half-day workshop, which was packed with both humor and substantive content, we examined key phases of an effective investigation, with an emphasis on practical skills.

 

   

Let's face it; try as you might to prevent personnel issues, issues arise in the workplace. It could be an employee complaint, a report of wrongdoing, or just a rumor of something amiss. Before you can decide how to address the issue (or defend a lawsuit or respond to a governmental agency), you have to conduct an investigation to figure out, to the best of your ability, what truly happened. And because there is a chance that the EEOC or another agency might later be looking over your shoulder to assess the adequacy of that investigation, you need make sure to conduct the investigation in a legally defensible and effective manner.

 

  

 

Read full article  

 

 

 

 

 

Come to the October meeting and have a chance to win the book: 

   

Reality-Based Leadership: Ditch the Drama, Restore Sanity to the Workplace, and Turn Excuses into Results by Cy Wakeman

 

Recent polls show that 71% of workers think about quitting their jobs every day. That number would be shocking-if people actually were quitting. Worse, they go to work, punching time clocks and collecting pay checks, while completely checked out emotionally. In Reality-Based Leadership, expert Fast Company blogger Cy Wakeman reveals how to be the kind of leader who changes the way people think about and perceive their circumstances-one who deals with the facts, clarifies roles, gives clear and direct feedback, and insists that everyone do the same-without drama or defensiveness.Filled with dynamic examples, innovative tools, and diagnostic tests, this book shows you how to become a Reality-Based Leader, revealing how to:

 

  • Uncover destructive thought patterns with yourself and others
  • Diffuse drama and lead the person in front of you
  • Stop managing and start leading, empowering others to focus on facts and think for themselves

 

Equipped with a facts-based, confident approach, you will free yourself from the frustrations you face at work and transform yourself into a Reality-Based Leader, with the ability to liberate and inspire others.

Quick Links
  
Click on any of the links below for additional resources and information.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

 
The SKCHRA Buzz

 

  

Thank you to all who made it to last month's chapter meeting, where employment law attorneys Jim Zissler, Breanne Sheetz, and Deidra Nguyen presented a special half-day workshop entitled, "Conducting Lawful Investigations: Just the Facts." Here's the buzz on what folks thought about the meeting: 

  • "Really good means of presenting of actual case."
  • "All the speakers were extremely versed in the topics."
  •  "Very well done!"
  • "The round robin on presenting segments was very effective.  Entire presentation was very well organized."
  • "The speakers were excellent. It's nice to have knowledgeable presenters."

 If you missed the meeting, presentation materials are available to members in the Member Resource Center (MRC) at http://skchra.shrm.org/member-resource-center . You must be a member of the SKCHRA and register through the website to access the MRC. Not a member yet? Membership in the SKCHRA is free! Download a designation form here http://skchra.shrm.org/join-now .

  
  

   

 

 

The difference between the right word and the almost-right word is the difference between lightning and the lightning bug." -Mark Twain.

 

As diversity leaders (aka HR Professionals), we understand that disability is just another kind of difference, like culture, ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation. We recognize that diversity is a valuable source of insight and adaptability, generating better business ideas and high-quality service. Differing abilities are a part of that healthy diversity. It's our business to promote inclusiveness throughout our organizations and to advocate for policies and programs that support it.

 

In building an inclusive culture, we're on the front lines and need to be visibly living our organizations' values every day. It's important that we set the tone not only in what we do and say, but how we say it-in formal messaging as well as everyday conversation. This is where even diversity leaders can get stuck.

 

Read the full article

   

Washington Health Benefit Exchange

 

 

As part of national health care reform, the Washington Health Benefit Exchange is creating Washington Healthplanfinder - an easily accessible, online marketplace for individuals, families and small businesses in Washington State to compare and enroll in quality health insurance plans and access important cost savings. Open enrollment starts October 1, 2013.

 

Visit the website at http://www.wahbexchange.org/ to find helpful information for HR professionals and employees who may have questions. Check out the Key Dates, Calculate Your Costs, Webinars, and Open Enrollment Information sections.

 

Many companies have been discussing the merits of directing their employees to an exchange instead of maintaining company health insurance plans. Understanding the implications and regulations can be difficult to navigate on your own, so you are encouraged to consult your broker or advisor. Groups under 50 may have different eligibility and penalty guidelines if they opt for an exchange in lieu of company insurance when offering dependent care, so make sure you are well informed of your company's options! 

   

New Chapter Members

 

Please welcome the following new members who have designated South King County as their chapter. 

  

 

Bonnie Hanlon, PHR

HR Generalist

The Boeing Company

 

Debbie Morris, SPHR

Northwest Door, Inc.

 

Melisa Peyton

HR Generalist

Tyssen Krupp Aerospace

 

Laura Llwellyn

HR Generalist

OHL

Welcome 

 

Meeting Registration

 

Date:  
THURSDAY, October 17, 2013
 
Time:
7:15a.m. Registration/Networking

7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Program  

 

Place: 

 Holiday Inn at Seatac 

17338 International Blvd

 

 Seattle, WA 98188

 

 

  Register Here  

** Please note the venue change for the October meeting. 

 

 

Sponsored by

    TrueBenefits

 

2014 Open Board Positions

 

 

Hello SKCHRA Chapter members.  As we approach the fall season, we begin to recruit for our 2014 open Board positions.  I have seen many of you as long standing members of this Chapter and am hoping that you would like to share your talents on the 2014 Board.  It's a great opportunity to network and contribute your knowledge in the area of Human Resources.  You must be an active member of SHRM to serve on the Board.  As a side benefit, you receive HRCI recertification credit for your service.  The following positions are currently available:  Director of Arrangements and Treasurer

 

Please give careful thought to these positions and how you may serve and help shape the Chapter for the future.  Please contact me at 425-251-5110, ext. 3128 or e-mail [email protected] with your area of interest.  We will be voting during the month of October.

 

Thank you,

 

Rhonda Kelly, PHR

President

South king County HR Association