HRM 635 Topic 1 DQ 1

Conduct research on the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) website. What is the role of this organization and its purpose as it relates to the guidance it provides to human resource (HR) professionals? Explain how SHRM assists HR professionals in effectively and efficiently completing their tasks/duties and supporting leadership within the organization. Additionally, discuss the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on human resources and how SHRM has adapted its guidance and resources to help HR professionals navigate the challenges posed by the pandemic.

Solution

The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) is one of the most influential organizations for HR professionals, offering a solid foundation of support, resources, and standards to guide the field. Its main role is to provide leadership and direction to HR professionals by promoting best practices, offering certification programs, and keeping members informed about legal and regulatory changes that impact the workplace (SHRM, 2023). SHRM’s purpose is to help HR professionals align their work with organizational goals, ensuring that people management contributes to the overall success of the business. SHRM assists HR professionals by providing practical tools like templates, policy guides, compliance updates, and training opportunities that help them get their jobs done more effectively. For example, when an HR leader needs to create a performance management system or handle employee relations issues, SHRM has step-by-step guidance and legal insights that can make a complex task more manageable. They also offer professional development through certifications like SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP, which help HR staff gain credibility and deeper knowledge to support leadership within their organizations (Kaufman, 2020). On top of that, SHRM helps HR teams support leadership by offering strategies for workforce planning, leadership development, and building strong workplace cultures. They emphasize values like ethical decision-making and strategic thinking, which are essential for creating an environment where employees can thrive and businesses can grow.

Now, when COVID-19 hit, everything changed in the workplace, and HR was right in the middle of it. Companies had to figure out remote work, keep employees safe, manage furloughs or layoffs, and deal with a lot of uncertainty. SHRM really stepped up during this time, creating resources specifically aimed at helping HR professionals manage through the crisis. They offered updated legal guidance on pandemic-related laws, tools for creating return-to-work plans, and advice on supporting employees’ mental health during a really tough time (SHRM, 2021). They even provided best practices for handling remote work, keeping teams connected, and adjusting policies as things evolved. Because of SHRM’s quick response, HR professionals were able to guide their organizations through the pandemic with more confidence and clarity. They weren’t left to figure things out on their own – SHRM gave them the tools and community support they needed to make informed decisions, keep people safe, and help businesses adapt.

References

Kaufman, B. E. (2020). The real impact of SHRM certification on HR professionals. Human Resource Management Journal, 30(2), 145-158. https://doi.org/10.1111/1748-8583.12245

SHRM. (2021). Navigating COVID-19: Resources for HR professionals. https://www.shrm.org/hr-today/pages/covid19.aspx

SHRM. (2023). About SHRM. https://www.shrm.org/about-shrm/pages/default.aspx

This question has been answered.

Order Now