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Indiana SHRM News
Indiana SHRM News

Workforce Readiness Update April 2020

First of all, I would like to thank all of the first responders, healthcare workers and any and all who touch the food supply chain. Thank you, thank you, thank you. You are most appreciated and I hope you receive some well deserved praise and applause for all you have done for all of us. Thank you.

Where is HR? HR has left the building . . . Yes, many of us are telecommuting to work, which has been trying and exciting all at once! Due to COVID-19, many employers who may have been more resistant to allow employees to work from home chose to do so, rather than layoff or furlough the workforce. Many of us are using conference calls, Facebook Live, FaceTime, Zoom, Teams and many other apps and tools to continue working and meeting with our teams. We encourage you to share success stories — and even bloopers — about teleworking and send them to us.

SHRM has a plethora of information and resources available, even a hub for non members to inform, guide and assist us in decisions surrounding our workforce in this challenging time. Also, there are many SHRM webcasts available to listen to, attorneys speak to some of the broader issues and more specific suggestions for safety in the workplace and coming back to full employment.

Yes, Indiana has had thousands of recent unemployment claims. This was unavoidable for some industries and businesses, but Indiana is a strong state. We are a State that Works! I’m calling all HR leaders in our Hoosier state to rise to the occasion. HR Indiana SHRM — we have a great opportunity during this workplace crisis to provide leadership for current and upcoming discussions specific to our workplaces, on how to bring employees back and how to manage safe working environments. SHRM is here!

So, let’s assist our employers and employees with the resources they need, and guide them back to full employment. If you have not already connected with your local Work One or United Way office, I encourage you to do so. Share the SHRM resources with them, and then share your community resources with your members, so our employers and employees can get the help they need during this challenging time. We are better together!

– Cyndi Harbin, HR Indiana SHRM Workforce Readiness Director