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) serves as a leading organization providing HR professionals with evidence-based practices, professional development resources, and strategic guidance. It equips HR practitioners with comprehensive toolkits, certification programs, and real-time updates on employment law and best practices, helping them efficiently execute their tasks and support leadership within their organizations (Society for Human Resource Management, n.d.). During the COVID-19 pandemic, SHRM played a critical role by quickly adapting its resources to meet emerging challenges, offering guidance on remote work, maintaining organizational culture, and ensuring compliance with evolving safety protocols. This support was particularly relevant to our nonprofit organization, which provides essential services to individuals with disabilities. Faced with the need to reduce direct care staff for teleservices and then a staffing crisis upon reopening due to state mandates, we struggled to maintain the requisite staff-to-client ratios. SHRM’s adaptable resources and strategic guidance were invaluable during this period, helping us navigate recruitment challenges and implement effective crisis management strategies, thereby ensuring continued quality service delivery despite unprecedented operational disruptions.
Dessler, G. (2023). Human resource management (17th ed.). Pearson/Prentice Hall. ISBN-13: 9780137927395