How-To Optimize Your Time at #IHRIM2013

With the 2013 IHRIM Conference less than two weeks away, I find myself getting excited – so many friends to catch up with … so many great presentations to take in … so many new technologies to ‘discover’ on the expo floor!

I am also thinking of you, the attendees, and how it will be an important opportunity to share the value of this conference with your manager(s) and peers once you return to work. 

 
So, with all of this in mind, I offer you the following tips that will help optimize your time and value at #IHRIM2013:

1. Be Prepared:  Show up to the first big HR-Tech event of the year with a plan!  Create checklists for yourself:

• Have a list of names ready – if possible, of those you would like to meet at #IHRIM2013 (other attendees, speakers, vendors, thought leaders, etc...)
• What sessions do you want to attend at the conference?
• What are your goals for attending #IHRIM2013?
• How can you create the most value for yourself and your organization during this event?

Do all this and more when you download the IHRIM Conference App for your iPhone or Android http://crwd.cc/ihrim2013. For Blackberry users, enter the URL above into a Blackberry browser, and download the app.

• personalize your schedule of events; note exhibitors you want to visit; earmark speakers you want to meet; and add your own contact information under the ‘Attendees’ section to further connect with fellow attendees. 

Take a little extra time to start the event on the right foot.
 
2. Seek Out the Content From HR Stars: How often is it that you get to see this many of the industry’s leaders in one event?

• Intelligent speakers will be giving presentations on important, relevant topics and trends – make it a point to garner 3-5 highlights from each presentation.
• Tweet during each session you attend (using #IHRIM2013 as you tweet can serve as a great way to share/store your own notes & insights) – you can generate a lot of content for future blogs from attending these sessions.
• You will most likely come out of a session with interesting and valuable information.  Be sure to ask questions and get feedback from other attendees from the sessions you attend to get additional perspective and insight.

If you have a question for Lexy Martin or Nov Omana, just walk up and ask. Or say you want to briefly discuss a topic with the likes of William Tincup or Yvette Cameron, catch up with them in an Open Forum or at a networking event. The #IHRIM2013 speakers are as friendly as they are sharp.
 
3. Develop a Stronger Network:

• Connect with the IHRIM Conference on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn – Spread the word.
• Create a post (text or video) that highlights your plans for and during the conference.  Generate buzz for yourself and your organization.
• Initiate new connections with qualified prospects and meet with your old connections to stay connected & current.
• Make the connections count. The value of ‘engaging in conversation’ can’t be stressed enough – how often do we get someone on the phone, much less face-to-face time? 
• Assess what issues the people you are talking to are facing and try to help – even if the answer lies with someone else. Making that kind connection will round back to you (directly or indirectly) – you might also be talking to a future business partner!
• At the end of each day during the conference, go through your new connections and make a plan for how you are going to follow up.    
• Attend events in the evening to continue networking and to make new friends.
• Check out and gather competitor intelligence.

 
Remember Casablanca: “…I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship!” Just because the IHRIM Conference ends on June 5, it doesn’t mean that the event should end for you. Pour over your notes and make sure that you can really put a face with that conversation … index your contacts by date & location during #IHRIM2013 … follow up with your new connections to keep your conversations alive – extend the event to make the most of the conference!

Are there any ‘tips’ you would like to share?  Please add your thoughts below! We look forward to seeing you at #IHRIM2013!

Please share your plans #IHRIM2013!

-- Lynne E. Mealy, HRIP, President & CEO, IHRIM

Guide to 10 Key Employment Law Changes in 2013

 

IHRIM Eye Guest Blogger:  Amanda Walters, SPHR

There have been several changes to federal, state and municipal employment law for which employers and HR are wise to revisit and revise their workplace policies and practices in 2013.  Below is a guide to the 10 key employment law changes for which employers should be ensuring compliance to minimize their legal liability.

 
1.    Affordable Care Act.  Employers need to be aware of the requirements under the Affordable Care Act which was enacted in an effort to expand health care coverage, control health care costs, and improve how health care services are delivered. This Act significantly changes the landscape of health care in the US, and has a number of requirements that apply to employer-sponsored group health plans which go into effect over a period of several years.

2.    FMLA Amendments.  The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) was amended in 2009 to expand the military family leave provisions and to incorporate a special eligibility provision for airline flight crew employees. Effective March 8, 2013, the DOL issued a final rule implementing these two important expansions and making some additional regulatory changes. As a result, employers should be using an updated FMLA notice and certification forms as well as displaying the new FMLA poster.

 
3.    I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification Form.  On March 8, 2013, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services released a new version of the I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification Form that employers must use by May 7, 2013.  The new version of the Form I-9 has a revised layout and expanded instructions.   Employers can ensure that they have an authorized workforce by participating in E-Verify, which allows employers to electronically verify the information provided by new employees on the Form I-9.  Employers should be aware that a number of state and local governments have passed legislation requiring certain employers to participate in E-Verify. 

4.    Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Legislation.  A number of states and cities have passed or proposed laws which make sexual orientation and gender identity a protected class.  Further, several states have passed legislation permitting same-sex marriages or civil unions between same-sex partners.  On the federal level, the proposed Employment Non-Discrimination Act would prohibit employers from discriminating or retaliating against individuals based on their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. Also proposed, the Family and Medical Leave Inclusion Act would expand the protections of the FMLA to same-sex partners.

5.    Minimum Wage Laws.  A handful of states have increased the minimum wage as of January 1, 2013.  These states include Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington.

 
6.    Paid Sick Leave Laws.  In several states and municipalities, laws have been passed or proposed to provide paid sick leave time to employees to care for themselves or a covered family member.

7.    Changes to Fair Credit Reporting Act.  The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) has been amended and, as of January 1, 2013, employers that utilize background checks must use a new "Summary of Rights" form to notify job applicants and employees of their rights under the FCRA.  They must also alert them that the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau (and not the FTC) is now the agency handling FCRA issues.

8.    Criminal Background Checks.  In 2012, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) released new guidance restricting employers from using criminal background checks for job applicants.  Further, on the federal, state and municipal level, a number of Ban the Box laws have been passed and proposed which would prohibit employers from asking applicants about their criminal history on a job application until after a conditional job offer has been made.

9.    Medical Marijuana Laws.  Legislation has been passed or proposed on the federal and state level which would legalize marijuana for medical purposes.  Additionally, states such as Washington and Colorado have legalized the recreational use of marijuana. Employers need to be aware of marijuana legislation and how this can impact their workplace policies and procedures as well as how to implement a drug-free workplace policy and discipline employees for marijuana use.

10. Social Media Password Protection Legislation.  On the federal and state level, lawmakers have passed or proposed laws which make it unlawful for an employer to request or require that an employee/applicant provide a user name and password or access to an individual’s social media account.  The purpose of these laws is to make sure that employers do not use private and confidential information on social media to make employment decisions.  

This was a joint collaboration between Amanda Walters, a specialist freelance writer, and Beth Zoller, a Legal Editor for XpertHR, an online compliance tool geared toward HR professionals covering all aspects of the employment relationship and providing reference material as well as practical guidance, such as how to guides, supervisor briefings and model policies.   As a Legal Editor, Beth uses her prior experience as a practicing employment attorney to cover employee privacy, discrimination, affirmative action, harassment, retaliation, and employee handbooks, conduct and work rules.

Why Attend the IHRIM 2013 Conference? We Do the Math for You!

Connect with your peers to examine, discuss, and explore dozens of new ideas and approaches that you can immediately implement back at the office. Take advantage of our enhanced education session offerings. Soak up dozens of fresh and creative ideas to help you – and your organization - succeed. Learn more at IHRIM 2013.

Did I mention Walt Disney World? The IHRIM 2013 Conference will be at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, June 2-5, 2013.  Reserve your room by May 9 to take advantage of our special $195 group rate!

Still not convinced? Our special conference infographic spotlights why you should attend the IHRIM 2013 Conference and Technology Expo to be held June 2-5, 2013 at Disney's Contemporary Resort, Lake Buena Vista, FL. Our 2013 Conference features professional development opportunities, entertaining and informative keynote speakers and unparalleled opportunities to meet industry experts and colleagues from around the globe. Check it out or click on 2013 Infographic.



I hope you will make plans now and join me for the IHRIM 2013 Conference and Technology Expo.  See you soon!
Lynne E. Mealy, HRIP
President & CEO
IHRIM