CORONAVIRUS UPDATE and RESOURCES

CNY SHRM recognizes the unique challenges presented by the threat of COVID-19 and is committed to maintaining the health and safety of our members and community.

We will continue to monitor this rapidly developing situation, following all guidelines set forth and provide updates to our membership as we learn more about the impact of COVID-19.  The health and well-being of our membership and our community at large is our top priority.

Diversity, Inclusion and Equity Statement

How do you Handle Racism at Work

In this current environment, HR professionals more than ever need to be in tune with the workplace environment particularly as it pertains to issues of race.    

In order to address issues and problem solve racism,   HR professionals will first need to examine themselves for biases, either conscious or unconscious, that may impact any decision making; understanding that as human beings we are all products of our environment.  Our thoughts and actions are shaped by our upbringing, family, friends, community and surroundings.   However, in the field of HR, the need is for flexibility and open-mindedness. This requires putting those learned behaviors behind and adopting new attitudes and convictions.   

Aside from self-reflection and inflection, a review of the workplace practices and policies is critical to ensure that your workplace is not encouraging or sustaining practices and policies that may inadvertently support forms of discrimination that are imbedded but not overt.

According to an article in a recent Benefit News newsletter, “nearly 50% of Black HR professionals say that discrimination based on race or ethnicity exists in their workplace.”  This article encourages allowing difficult conversations on race, albeit challenging, to happen in the workplace.  

These conversations can unravel or expose practices and policies that are biased.  “By facilitating these discussions on race in the workplace, you set the goal of making the workplace more inclusive.”

The article gives 3 ways to address racism:

1. Listen to a person who is describing an experience in racism, without becoming defensive or injecting self into the experience.

2. Promote discussion and not debate – encourage employees to talk honestly about experiences – healthy dialogue is good at getting to the root of issues.

3. Set goals and be open to feedback – focus on improvement and not fault.  Organizations should set a zero-tolerance policy for racism and gather feedback to gauge progress.

Resource:  EBN – Benefit News, 8/7/2020 by Sam Del Rowe

Submitted by:  Catherine Green Harris & Mary Anne Ciccarelli – Co-Chairs, Diversity & Inclusion Committee

Additional resources:

Together forward at work

SHRM Resources - Tools and samples

 Welcome to CNY SHRM, Central New York's Premier Human Resource Organization

Central New York Society for Human Resource Management (CNY SHRM) was founded in 1974 and has over 500 members. As an affiliate of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), the Chapter exists to provide a wide variety of professional development and networking opportunities for human resource (HR) professionals in the greater Syracuse area. The Chapter's diverse membership represents more than 300 companies with a range of experience from entry to senior level, across various industries and practices. CNY SHRM proudly serves to advance the HR profession.

We hope that you will join us for one of our programs, whether a breakfast series event, a professional networking event or our annual conference. Another way to participate in CNY SHRM is to become involved as a volunteer. Our volunteers work on various aspects of chapter administration and event programming. Volunteering with CNY SHRM is a great way for you to develop business and leadership skills and create key contacts in the HR profession.