SHRM Michigan Vine - January 2026 Edition

Happy New Year!

As we settle into the second week of January, calendars are filling back up, goals are being set or revisited, and annual cycles around feedback, compensation, budgets, and priorities are coming into focus. It is a season that can feel energizing and wild at the same time. As HR pros and partners, we are often helping others find clarity and momentum while quietly doing the same work ourselves. We see you!

This month, I want to start by welcoming our new chapter leaders and extending a heartfelt thank you to both new and loyal chapter members. Thank you for staying involved and investing in the growth of our profession. Your engagement matters more than you may realize. Strong chapters are the heartbeat of SHRM Michigan, and they are only as strong as the leaders and members who show up with commitment, care and enthusiasm for a thriving chapter. I am truly looking forward to 2026 and seeing the impact you will make ripple across the state.

January also marks the start of my second and final year serving as your State Director. That milestone brings both pride and perspective. I am proud of the momentum we have built together and deeply grateful for this opportunity. I am also very mindful of the responsibility that comes with this final year. My focus remains on strengthening connections between chapters, elevating the voice of Michigan’s HR community, and continuing to create spaces where HR pros and partners feel supported, connected, and inspired.

There is much to be excited about in the year ahead. Let's get after it.

XOXO,

Monica

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

2026 SHRM Michigan Resource Partner Program

Join our Resource Partner Program and elevate your organization’s visibility with thousands of HR professionals across Michigan. With year-round branding, premium networking access, and priority opportunities at the State Conference, this program is the most effective way to connect directly with our member base.

Platinum Resource Partner

Platinum Agreement

Gold Resource Partner

Gold Agreement

Learn more about the SHRM Michigan Resource Partner Program HERE.

Chapter Anniversaries

Happy 62 Anniversary to Human Resources Group of West Michigan!

Upcoming Events

HR Award Nominations are NOW OPEN & we would love to hear from you! Tell us who you think should be nominated for a 2026 SHRM Michigan Award.

Timeline:

Nominations Open January 14th, 2026 - March 15th, 2026
Nominee Applications: March 20th, 2026 - April 30th, 2026

Nominate Today!

The SHRM Michigan Legal Virtual Conference gives HR professionals practical guidance on today’s most pressing workplace legal issues. Attendees will gain timely insights on employment law updates, harassment and discrimination prevention, and year end 401k compliance to help reduce risk and strengthen HR practices.

Upcoming SHRM Michigan & Local Events

SHRM Michigan Resources

Legal Update

Contributed by: James Reid IV, Esq.

SHRM Michigan Legislative Affairs Director

States Expand Employee Privacy and Immigration-Related Workplace Obligations
- Illinois and California enacted new laws that significantly reshape employer obligations relating to employee privacy, work authorization issues, and immigration-related workplace notices, building on state-level approaches previously adopted in states such as Oregon. Amendments to Illinois’s Right to Privacy in the Workplace Act are already in effect, while California’s Workplace Know Your Rights Act will impose new notice and recordkeeping obligations beginning in early 2026. Employers with employees in either state should take steps now to ensure that policies, onboarding materials, and human resources practices align with these requirements.
- Learn more, here

2025 Employment Law Developments and the 2026 Compliance Horizon

Throughout 2025, employers navigated a steady stream of statutory changes, regulatory shifts, and enforcement recalibrations at both the state and federal levels. In many jurisdictions, 2025 functioned less as a single moment of change and more as an implementation runway for requirements that will take effect in 2026. The summary below highlights key employment law developments from the past year and flags certain additional changes employers should be preparing to implement in the months ahead.
Learn more, here

Inclusion Infusion

Contributed by: Verna Ginyard

SHRM Michigan Diversity Director

I hope your New Year has started as you have planned. 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.

Spotlight: Storytelling Through Entertainment

Cinderella Around the World: Did you know that Cinderella isn’t just a European fairytale? Learn more versions, here

Reflection Question: How can storytelling shapes values, empathy, and leadership?

Our 1st Quarter SHRM Michigan Diversity Director & Friends meeting will be on Wednesday, February 18, 2026 @ 6p. 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

The SHRM Foundation is dedicated to elevating and empowering HR professionals by awarding more than $600,000 annually in scholarships, awards, and professional development grants. These investments support career growth, leadership development, and access to educational opportunities that strengthen the HR profession.

Access scholarships and grants open to our members, here.

Applications open on January 12 and close on March 13.

For more information on these scholarships and awards, visit 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!

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan

Be smart about employee health this flu season

Staying healthy prevents a burden on your employees and your business. As flu season approaches, share our employer toolkit with your members to encourage employees to get their flu shot, and read a quick article for answers to common flu FAQs: 6 Things Everyone Should Know About the Flu Shot

If you have questions, reach out to AssociationandChamberRelations@bcbsm.com.

Great workplaces don’t happen by chance. They are built by intentional, well-equipped leaders.

That’s why I’m saving YOU a special seat at the AMPLIFY Leadership Conference on January 29 in Kalamazoo for a high-energy day focused on practical leadership skills, fresh insights, and meaningful connections with fellow HR professionals. Join us and invest in the leaders who shape culture every day.

Use code SHRM-MI-VIP for $50 off your registration. I cannot to see you there!

Learn more at HERE.

Secure Your Seat

What should nonprofits prepare for in 2026?

Join us for our 2026 Nonprofit Update webinar on Jan. 29 at 11:00 a.m. EST, as we navigate the evolving nonprofit landscape. Entering the new year, nonprofit leaders must understand the legislative changes that will impact their organizations. This webinar provides a comprehensive overview of the latest developments, including critical tax and HR considerations stemming from the One Big Beautiful Bill, to help you prepare effectively for the year ahead. During this session, our industry specialists will dissect complex regulations and offer actionable insights to ensure your organization is positioned for success.

SHRM and HRCI credits available for this webinar.

Learn more/register, here

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

HR 360° Gap Analysis:

Discover how strong your HR foundation really is with our complimentary HR 360° Gap Analysis Assessment. In just 15–20 minutes, gain a comprehensive snapshot of your organization’s HR health from compliance and recruiting to performance management and development. Once completed, you’ll receive a complimentary 30-minute virtual review with a Yeo & Yeo HR Advisory Solutions specialist to uncover insights, spot gaps, and explore actionable next steps. Click here to begin your assessment today.

AMPLIFY Leadership Development On-Demand

Start your leadership journey with the AMPLIFY program—now available in a flexible six-month format that fits your schedule. Through personalized coaching, on-demand learning, and guided reflection, you’ll build self-awareness, strengthen your leadership skills, and gain clarity and confidence to lead with purpose. Every component is designed to meet you where you are and help you reach your next level of leadership. Click here to learn more.

Reminders & Updates from SHRM

Volunteer Opportunities at SHRM

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