The mission of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) is to “empower people and workplaces by advancing HR practices and by maximizing human capital (SHRM, n.d.).” SHRM plays a critical role in human resources by setting professional standards, offering certifications, providing research, and delivering tools that support HR professionals at all levels. It serves as a trusted source of guidance on compliance, ethics, workforce management, and strategic leadership, helping HR practitioners stay current with best practices and legal requirements. SHRM assists HR professionals by offering various resources, such as templates, toolkits, legal updates, webinars, and professional development opportunities.
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the human resources field, introducing unprecedented challenges such as remote workforce management, mental health concerns, evolving safety protocols, and complex compliance requirements (Harbert, 2021). SHRM responded quickly by expanding its resources to address these urgent needs. It developed specialized toolkits on pandemic response, remote work best practices, legal compliance regarding health and safety, and strategies for supporting employee well-being (SHRM, n.d.-a). It helped HR professionals navigate uncertainty and lead organizations through crisis recovery and adaptation.

References:
Harbert, T. (2021). Pandemic Expands the Role of HR. Society for Human Resource Management. https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/news/hr-magazine/pandemic-expanded-role-hr
Society for Human Resource Management. (n.d.). About SHRM. SHRM. https://www.shrm.org/about
Society for Human Resource Management. (n.d.-a). SHRM Research: COVID-19 Takes A Toll on Employees’ Mental Well-Being. SHRM. https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/news/shrm-research-covid-19-takes-toll-employees-mental-well