SHRM Michigan Vine - April 2026 Edition

Hey Michigan HR family!

I have to be honest. I'm walking around with a little extra pep in my step lately, and it's all because of YOU.

Let's just talk about what Michigan has been up to, shall we?

We are #1 in the country for SHRM Foundation donations in 2025. Number. One. We've been climbing for years and we finally got there, and that is worth celebrating. We certainly want to to keep the momentum going and you can help! One of the "funnest" ways?, donate to the silent auction at the conference and have your company featured with your item. Reach out to Sharon to get involved!

Speaking of state conference, 2025 was another record-setting year, and we are fully committed to topping it in 2026. Save the date: October 21–23 at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids. Get your tickets early, you don't want to miss this one. And here's a little sneak peek: we're shaking up the pre-conference workshops this year with a fresh focus on taking care of you first, so you can show up and take care of your organization. More details coming soon, so stay tuned!

Our student chapters are absolutely thriving. Did you know we have 11 student chapters spread across colleges and universities all over Michigan? Each year at conference, those students can compete in the HR Games and you can watch! It's part competition, part professional development refresher, and 100% worth your time. This year we're targeting 8 chapters participating, that's double what we had in 2025. Go cheer them on!

And our local chapters? Crushing it. So many incredible events happening across the state, networking, learning, connecting. Check out your local chapter's website and get plugged in.

On that note, mark your calendar for April 29 in Grand Rapids for our first event of the year in the newly rebranded ConnectED Series (formerly the Learn and Lean). We can't wait to see you there!

Friends, this is truly just the tip of the iceberg. So much is happening in our great state, and it is all because of the people in this community who keep showing up and giving their best.

Take a minute today to celebrate YOUR wins with yourself AND with your team. Pat yourself on the back. You've earned it, and as always, I am totally rooting for you.

Go get em' -

Monica

Special Events for SHRM Michigan Chapters, Volunteers, & Resource Partners

Chapter Anniversaries

Happy 25th Anniversary to Human Resource Association of Southeast Michigan!

Happy 51st Anniversary to Valley Society for Human Resource Management!

Upcoming Events

Join the SHRM Michigan ConnectED Series (formally Learn & Leans) for focused learning, real conversations, and practical takeaways you can put to work right away.

Register for ConnectED today!

West Side - April ConnectED

East Side - May ConnectED

Are you going to SHRM26 in Orlando? Join SHRM Michigan at our networking event!

We’re excited to share that registration opens June 1, 2026!

This year’s event—“Culture Catalysts”—takes place October 21–23 at DeVos Place, Grand Rapids, MI, bringing together HR professionals from across Michigan for learning, networking, and professional growth. You won't want to miss out!

MISHRM Conference Information

Chapter Events

Registration is open for the Detroit SHRM Annual Conference on September 10th at the Westin Southfield-Detroit .

Join SHRM Kalamazoo for Day of Development 2026!

Spend the day learning and connecting with other HR professionals at the Radisson Plaza Hotel in Kalamazoo on Friday, May 8, 2026.

For more information and to register:

Upcoming SHRM Michigan & Local Events

SHRM Michigan Resources

Legal Update

Contributed by: James Reid IV, Esq.

SHRM Michigan Legislative Affairs Director

Federal Workplace Policy Shifts: DOL Proposes New Independent Contractor Classification Rule and EEOC Withdraws Harassment Guidance
o The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the U.S. Department of Labor recently announced separate actions that could affect employer compliance strategies. The U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”) has proposed a new rule redefining the standard for independent contractor classification under federal wage and hour laws, and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) recently rescinded its 2024 workplace harassment enforcement guidance. Although neither action alters the underlying statutes, both reflect meaningful changes in federal agency interpretation and enforcement posture.

* Learn more, here

NLRB Signals a More Employer-Favorable Shift on Case-Handling Procedures, Bargaining Orders, and Joint-Employer Liability
o The National Labor Relations Board and its General Counsel have recently taken several steps that, taken together, suggest a narrower and more management-focused enforcement posture. In the span of just a few weeks, the General Counsel issued new case-handling guidance for regional offices, the Sixth Circuit rejected the Board’s use of the Cemex framework as the sole basis for a bargaining order in a pending case, and the Board formally withdrew its 2023 joint-employer rule and restored the 2020 standard. Each development has practical implications for employers facing unfair labor practice charges, organizing campaigns, or contingent-workforce issues.

*Learn more, here

Inclusion Infusion

Contributed by: Verna Ginyard

SHRM Michigan Diversity Director

The 2026 Inclusion Infusion series will spotlight cultural diversity through the lenses of art, music, literature, entertainment, holidays, food, customs, and games. Each article will weave together rich cultural insights, practical workplace applications, and thoughtful opportunities for reflection, creating a yearlong journey that celebrates heritage, fosters inclusion, and strengthens community across our organization.

Stories are the threads of culture. From African folktales to Latin American magical realism, literature reflects values, struggles, and dreams.

Spotlight: Literature and Storytelling Traditions

Learn more, here

Enjoy this month’s Voice from Noah-Keanu Caridad Greater Ann Arbor SHRM – Diversity Director, on the “Reflection Question” What book or story has shaped your leadership philosophy?

The book Noah-Keanu referenced is Ikigai by Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles. He said, "Reading Ikigai helped me understand that leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about aligning purpose with impact. The book, and the broader concept of Ikigai, pushed me to think more intentionally about how my work contributes to others. Since then, I’ve approached leadership as an opportunity to plant the seeds for meaningful, human‑centered change. I aim to build spaces where people feel seen, supported, and motivated to grow, because I believe that’s where both individuals and organizations do their best work. Ikigai reminded me that when purpose and service meet, leadership becomes not just a role, but a way to inspire collective growth."

Feel free to join us for the 2nd Quarter SHRM Michigan Diversity Director & Friends Meeting on Wednesday, May 20, 2026 @ 6p. Meeting ID: 812 9100 8656; Passcode: 5sh3cm.

I look forward to connecting with you. If you’d like to present during a quarterly Diversity Director & Friends meeting or have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out to me: Verna Ginyard at v2ginyard@gmail.com.

SHRM Foundation

Contributed by: Sharon Ragland-Keys

SHRM Michigan SHRM Foundation Director

From #1 in Giving to #1 in Applications

The SHRM Foundation grant and scholarship window is now open—and this is your opportunity to invest in your professional growth.

From April 13 through June 12, 2026, you can apply for two high-impact grants designed to elevate your HR career and expand your leadership impact.

SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP Certification Grant #1

Application Window: April 13, 2026 – June 12, 2026

Blue Conference Grant

Application Window: April 13, 2026 – June 12, 2026

For more information on these scholarships and awards please visit, here, or the SHRM Foundation

If you have any questions about the SHRM Foundation or need assistance with fundraising ideas for your chapter, feel free to reach out!

Call: 734.576.0867 | Email: sragland_keys@jovie.com

Looking forward to supporting you!

Learn More About Our Resource Partners

Free Communication Webinar with AG Collaborative

Earn SHRM credits! Discover your communication style, spot blind spots, and learn practical strategies to connect, reduce misunderstandings, and communicate with clarity and confidence in every interaction.

Upcoming webinars:
Apr 27 - Communication Styles in Action: How to Adapt & Influence
Jun 15 - Generations at Work: Moving Beyond Stereotypes to High-Trust Collaboration

Learn more & register, here

Advance your Career in Human Resources

Andrews University Center for Continuing Education can help you start or advance your career in human resources by becoming a certified Professional in Human Resources (PHR). This course explores the foundational aspects of HR, including human resource laws, hiring disciplines, and labor relations. With our online course, you will learn everything you need to know to successfully pass the PHR certification exam offered by the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI) — in only six months. Learn more, here

Strategies to Manage Health Care Cost Trends and Lower Financial Strain for Employers

As the cost of health care continues to rise, it’s essential for employers to stay ahead of the curve and understand what is causing the current trends and challenges to affordability.

Having a solid understanding of best practices in health benefits management is critical to help you navigate the complexities of health benefits and make informed decisions that support your business goals. Learn more, here, about key actions employers can take.

New Partner Alert: October Health

October Health has joined the SHRM Michigan community as a new Resource Partner. October Health is an employee experience platform designed to help organisations create healthier, more connected, and higher-performing workplaces. Their platform brings together AI, workforce insight, and practical tools that support people across the employee journey - from HR operations and engagement to wellbeing, mental fitness, and growth.

What makes this especially powerful is the ability to connect the dots. Instead of relying on disconnected systems and scattered data, leaders can gain a clearer view of their workforce and make more informed decisions, while employees get access to personalised, easy-to-use support that helps them navigate work and life more effectively.

For HR teams, it opens up a more proactive way to think about culture, performance, and employee support. For employees, it creates a more relevant and useful everyday experience.

Curious about what a more connected approach to employee experience looks like in practice? Join October Health's upcoming webinar, here

[Webinar] Future-Proof HR: Master Budgets, Regulations, & Earn Credits

HR leaders within the public sector face constant change with new legislation and shifting budgets. Join our expert panel for Future-proof Your Organization: Strategies for Uncertain Times on Wednesday, Apr. 29, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. and discover how to keep operations steady and teams engaged.

You will walk away with actionable insights on adapting to new regulations, boosting employee engagement, and optimizing your budget to meet evolving demands. Plus, you can fulfill valuable continuing education requirements —this session offers one SHRM credit and one HRCI Business credit.

Learn about your key takeaways and register today, here

Master of Studies in Law - Human Resources 100% Online Program

April Virtual Information Sessions

Monday, April 13^th, 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday, April 29^th, 12:00 p.m. via Zoom

Wayne Law’s Master of Studies in Law degree is specifically designed to help professionals build their knowledge of law relevant to the HR field. Join us for a virtual information session to learn all about this 100% online, flexible degree program! RSVP to receive the Zoom details.

Strategic Wellness That Transforms Employee Experience

We’re excited to join the SHRM Michigan community as a Resource Partner!

At Workplace Wellness, we believe sustainable wellness goes beyond one-time initiatives, it requires a strategic, human-centered approach supported by the right technology. That’s why we combine personalized wellness experiences with a flexible mobile app platform designed to meet employees where they are.

Our goal is simple, to help organizations build long-lasting healthy habits that drive engagement, improve productivity, and support healthcare outcomes. From customized competitions and workshops to ongoing wellness resources and rewards and recognition, we bring everything together in one streamlined platform, creating a seamless experience that is both human-centric and scalable for organizations of all sizes.

As a thank you for welcoming us into the community, organizations that reach out to info@workplacewellnessus.com this month and mention the SHRM Michigan April newsletter will receive 10% off their first year’s contract.

When Growth Outpaces HR: Mistakes That Cost Companies More Than They Expect

Yeo & Yeo HR Advisory Solutions (Amy Cell Talent) Upcoming Events

Free Webinar Wed, Apr 29, 2026, 12:00 PM
Rapid growth is a good problem to have. But for many organizations, HR ends up reacting instead of leading as headcount climbs. Policies stop matching day‑to‑day reality. Managers carry people issues they were never trained to handle. Compliance risks quietly stack up. What worked at 20 employees can quickly become risky at 50 or unsustainable at 150.

In this webinar, we’ll walk through the most common HR missteps companies make during periods of growth and why “we’ll fix it later” is often one of the most expensive assumptions leaders make. Using real‑world examples, we’ll share practical ways organizations can strengthen their HR foundations early, reduce avoidable risk, and support managers and employees before small gaps turn into major problems.

Learn more and RSVP, here

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