HR Matters
Texas SHRM
WGU Texas has partnered with the Texas State Council to offer $2,000 "Go Further in HR Scholarships".
These scholarships are designed for motivated HR personnel who wish to continue their education and earn a bachelor's or master’s degree.
WGU Texas Business College offers MBA degree programs in addition to a B.S. in Business Human Resource Management degree that provides expertise in the management of people at work, giving HR professionals the skills and knowledge to become an effective HR manager and staff specialist. This program covers the six categories that make up the HR Body of Knowledge established by the Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI) and as part of this program, students are required to pass one of two HR-specific, recognized industry exams:
• The Professional in Human Resources (PHR) Certification Exam (administered by HRCI)
OR
• The Assurance of Learning Exam (administered by the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM)).
WGU Texas is a nonprofit, online university designed to expand access to higher education and meet the education needs of busy adult learners.
Here's why you should consider WGU Texas:
• An innovative, competency-based approach to education designed to let you take advantage of your prior experience and possibly accelerate your program.
• Personalized, one-on-one faculty support.
• A nonprofit university with affordable, flat-rate tuition.
• Regionally accredited online bachelor's and master's degrees in health professions (including nursing), business, information technology, and teacher education.
• Federal financial aid and scholarships available to those who qualify.
• No set class times. Study anytime, anywhere.
For eligibility requirements and to apply for the Go Further in Human Resources Scholarship, visit http://texas.wgu.edu/tuition_financial_aid/scholarships/gofurther_hr_overview.
Or Contact:
Dr. Wendi Prater, Austin 512-934-0663
Linda Harris, Dallas 972-841-2440
Kristian Fitzgerald, Houston 832-723-7463
Joe Rodriguez, San Antonio / El Paso 210-204-2738
WGU Texas Community Relations Team
On September 12, 2013 Concho Valley SHRM held their annual seminar at the McNease Convention Center. Topics included Emerging Workforce Study by Sandy Mazur of Spherion Staffing, Workers Compensation by Pat Crawford of Texas Department of Insurance, Employment Law Update by Jon Mark Hogg of Jackson Walker L.L.P., Affordable Care Act by Justin Barbour of Schmoyer Reinhard L.L.P., and You’re Not the Boss of Me: Regulating Employee Conduct by Tiffany Cox and Robert White of Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C. Participants were also treated to "Ready Set Go", 15 minutes of light stretching exercise after lunch provided by a trainer from Community Health Club. Proceeds from the seminar will be used for scholarships to a local college for Human Resources or Business Management students.
The El Paso Society for Human Resources Management (EPSHRM) Chapter conducted mock interviews and provided assistance with resume writing to 28 actively transitioning service members as part of the Warrior Transition Readiness Program. The event was hosted by Centurion Military Alliance (CMA) on September 10, 2013 at the DoubleTree Hotel.
The North Texas Chapter of SHRM has received the Gold EXCEL Award for 2012.
The 2013 Race for Compliance symposium, which was held on September 20 in Denton, was a great success. Six outstanding legal professionals made their labor law presentations to a full house. Attendance at all of the sessions qualified for six recertification credits.
October’s meeting will be one week early (October 17th) at the Planner’s Zone. We will serve lunch at The Club at Gateway Center at the University of North Texas and have a short presentation. After lunch everyone is invited to attend the Planner’s Zone. If you have not attended the Planner’s Zone in the past, you may want to go to their website: http://www.discoverdenton.com/meetings.cfm?p=0&bl=142. Please go to the Chapter website to register and pay for the luncheon.
We are excited to announce this year's recipients of the Karl B. Zimmerman Memorial Scholarships, Juelaine Desjardin and Shelby Chin. The Zimmerman scholarship was created to recognize students who have demonstrated academic excellence and are interested in a career in the human resources field. Each year one graduate student and one undergraduate student is each awarded a $2,000 scholarship to cover tuition, fees and books. Karl Zimmerman was a dedicated Austin leader in the human resources and business community in the late 1970's and 1980's. This scholarship is a tribute to his dedication to the field of human resources and his efforts to develop our future HR leaders of tomorrow.
Juelaine Desjardin is entering her senior year at Texas State University, McCoy College of Business, concentrating on HR management. In addition to her studies, Juelaine is currently interning with Texas State’s HR department and was recently elected as president of Texas State’s SHRM Student Chapter. We would also like to recognize her recent award at the SHRM Southwest Regional Student Conference. Her team was awarded second place in the case competition.
Shelby Chin is currently enrolled at the University of Texas McCombs School of Business. After receiving her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Bachelor of Arts in Geography from the University of California at Berkeley, Shelby spent time working in compensation. After being exposed to the business and strategy skills needed to lead larger organizations, she decided to continue her education and earn her MBA. She is planning to receive her degree in May 2014. Shelby is currently interning with Adobe Systems in California.
Recognizing Those That Serve
By Otis "Scotty" Scott
The Society for Human Resource Management Texas State Council (Texas SHRM) guiding principle for 2013 has been "What’s In It For The Chapter (WIIFC)". As we (Texas SHRM) moved to make this a reality, one of the things that came to my mind is how we can make this real for our volunteers.
As Human Resource professionals, we realize that communication is invaluable both up and down the leadership/management chain. That being said; we have tried to ensure that local chapters had the opportunity to hear directly from the Texas SHRM. Face-to-face communication is invaluable when you’re trying to get a message across. Many of the TSC volunteer members; especially in our core leadership areas have done that and more to make sure that chapter members have had the opportunity to enhance their knowledge in key HR areas. Many of our local chapter’s leaders in the state of
The question now is - how do we continue this momentum? From a Diversity and Inclusion standpoint, I would say by making sure that we recognize our members for their efforts. As many of you know, a personal thank you goes a long way. Even more so, recognizing members among their peers and in the greater human resource community that we serve goes even further. Many of them have sacrificed time away from their families and friends to advance the human resource profession.
The National Diversity Council has an award for those that excel in upholding the principles of diversity and leadership, while personifying it in their daily lives. This is your opportunity to recognize those individuals that are still underrepresented in leadership roles, yet demonstrate the determination to make a difference through the Multicultural Leadership Award. This award will be presented at the 10thAnniversary of the Texas Diversity Council that is scheduled to be held in
The criteria to be considered:
- Demonstrates leadership excellence in the public and/or private sectors
- Sustains a record of accomplishments and/or contributions to field of work throughout the scope of his/her career
- Demonstrates leadership characteristics in the community/or high visibility in the community
- Retains commendable reputation with colleagues and superiors
- Exhibits and demonstrates a commitment to the highest ethical standards and professional excellence
To submit an individual for consideration:
- Submit individual’s name, company name and job title (if applicable).
- Submit, in bullet point form, the reasons why the individual should be considered based on the criteria listed above.
Deadline to submit nominations: Still to be determined. Yet, we recommend nominations be prepared for submission not later than December 31, 2013.
Please submit your nomination in Word Document format to Jasmine Morrissette at jasmine.morrissette@nationaldiversitycouncil.org
Do the right thing by ensuring that your candidate(s) receive the recognition that they deserve. The TEXAS SHRM is here to support and assist with your nomination packages, so please feel free to reach out to me at otis.scott@utsa.edu for further information or assistance.
Texas lawmakers passed numerous bills affecting employers at the close of the 83rd legislative session, many of which were signed into law. An exception was House Bill (HB) 950, which sought to make it easier for employees to show pay discrimination. Gov. Rick Perry vetoed the bill on the grounds that it "duplicates federal law, which already allows employees who feel they have been discriminated against through compensation to file a claim with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission." He added, "Texas’ commitment to smart regulations and fair courts is a large part of why we continue to lead the nation in job creation."
Earning the governor’s signature were numerous bills concerning unemployment compensation (UC), including Senate Bill (SB) 21, which authorizes drug screenings for those receiving unemployment benefits who work in fields where drug testing is mandatory for employment. "Recipients of unemployment benefits have a responsibility to be prepared to work when an opportunity presents itself," Perry said. "Our system is designed to provide assistance to people through a difficult time in their lives, not subsidize those who would misuse the system to live a drug-abusing lifestyle. This bill protects the resources that should be reserved for those truly in need." The bill took effect Sept. 1.
In addition, the governor signed SB 920, effective immediately, which requires that an individual be actively seeking work to be eligible for UC benefits. Also approved were SB 658, which imposes a 15 percent penalty on a person who fraudulently obtains unemployment benefits, effective Oct. 1, and HB 2035, which updates the Texas Shared Work program to meet federal requirements. Numerous bills adjusting unemployment chargebacks were also signed into law at the close of the session.
Legislation to discourage worker misclassification was signed into law as HB 2015, which requires contractors and subcontractors receiving public works contracts to ensure that all workers performing services under the contract are properly classified. An employer that misclassifies workers is subject to a $200 fine for each misclassified worker, effective Jan. 1, 2014. The bill defines "employment" according to the definition provided under Section 201 of the Texas Labor Code.
Finally, HB 1188 was enacted to limit employer liability for negligent hiring. Effective June 14, the law prevents lawsuits against employers "solely for negligently hiring or failing to adequately supervise an employee ... based on evidence that the employee has been convicted of an offense." Such lawsuits are permitted under HB 1188 only if the employer "knew or should have known of the conviction" and if the employee was convicted of (1) an offense that was committed while performing duties substantially similar to those reasonably expected to be performed in the employment, (2) a sexually violent offense, or (3) an offense facilitated by use of controlled substances. The law excludes certain crimes involving property of third parties.
