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This is a good read on @SHRM's troubles from a lot of folks in the #HR industry. Thanks @VadimsViews for putting it together on @TLNT_com. It's also far from an isolated issue. A long ass thread. https://www.tlnt.com/the-problem-with-shrm-why-hr-professionals-feel-disappointed-disillusioned-and-deserted/
A decade ago, the SHRM board secretly voted for pay raises for themselves. It was one of the first stories on TLNT that took off. https://www.tlnt.com/shrm-board-quietly-and-secretly-votes-to-hike-pay-for-board-members/
This, along with other issues, pushed a group of former SHRM presidents, former board chairs for both SHRM and their foundation, and other prominent state and local leaders to push for change at SHRM. https://www.tlnt.com/shrm-members-for-transparency-goes-public-pushes-grassroots-effort-for-change/
Of course, change is difficult, especially when influential positions like board members are simply put to vote without any competition. A write-in campaign failed, no help from SHRM. https://www.tlnt.com/transparency-group-shrm-is-stacking-the-deck-in-board-elections/
(This coverage, by the way, coincided with SHRM threatening TLNT parent company ERE Media with legal action for using their logo, saying it was misleading consumers — lol) https://www.tlnt.com/shrm-threatens-tlnt-with-legal-action-for-using-the-shrm-logo/
Let's also consider the split between HRCI and SHRM in 2014. Credentialing and certificating bodies are about the most boring news subjects but SHRM definitely tries to make it interesting. https://www.workforce.com/news/hrci-surprised-by-shrm-plan-to-offer-hr-certifications
Luckily, SHRM was savvy and bought out most of the outrage over starting a non-independent certification by allowing people to painlessly convert their HRCI credentials. People most impacted by the split would come later. https://www.tlnt.com/the-shrm-hrci-issue-crocodile-tears-for-certified-hr-folks-out-there/
(SHRM actually created HRCI to administer the PHR, SPHR, and GPHR credentials independently. They shared a building and logo type. HRCI still claims they were blindsided by the move.)
As tensions cooled between the two groups over the next few years, the SHRM CEO bragged that he was going to meet with HRCI CEO at the SHRM annual conference in 2018. There was never a meeting scheduled. https://www.workforce.com/news/not-so-fast-on-the-shrm-hrci-certification-summit
(I skipped to Johnny C. Taylor, but I should also mention that the former CEO Henry Jackson raked in some incredible cash from the org, including a $2.7M base salary and a $1M bonus his final year that put him as the top paid association leader.) https://www.tlnt.com/former-shrm-ceo-got-a-paycheck-bigger-than-any-other-association-head/
Finally, it's hard to sum up the strange ways SHRM has responded to criticism of their political moves. Despite promising "policy, not politics" (a joke, btw), SHRM leadership has been enthusiastic about embracing a seat with the current U.S. president. https://www.tlnt.com/shrm-members-take-to-twitter-to-condemn-taylors-white-house-photo-op/
They've been happy to pose for photo ops with a divisive president who clearly does not care about all the voices in the workplace. They are also happy to align themselves with the even more divisive Koch family. https://www.tlnt.com/fixitshrm-controversy-erupts-over-hr-groups-partnership-with-political-financiers/
(The Koch partnership was about giving formerly incarcerated individuals second chances, which is great. Still, SHRM will not support "ban the box" legislation that would make it difficult or illegal to ask whether someone was previously convicted of a crime.)
They also invited the president's daughter to speak at their legislative event, which is great except she is neither a legislator nor is she anything other than an advisor to the president. The lack of imagination on possible speakers is palpable. https://twitter.com/ivankatrump/status/1108903630168604672?lang=en
The fact of the matter is that SHRM isn't focused on being the voice of all things work. They have focused on enabling employer-friendly, anti-labor legislation for a long time. https://www.tlnt.com/shrm-u-s-chamber-sue-to-block-nlrb-quickie-election-rules/
When they've had choices between competing legislation, they have always sided with pro-business forces. They've previously supported paid parental leave options that would be a step back for many Americans. https://www.workforce.com/news/shrm-as-an-advocacy-organization-gets-a-plus-sized-test
As far as I can tell publicly, their only disagreement with the current administration is over DACA. Their support of DACA still falls on more of the pro-business side rather than protecting vulnerable workers. https://www.shrm.org/about-shrm/press-room/press-releases/pages/statement-senate-inaction-on-daca-undermines-economy.aspx
Now, SHRM is again on the wrong side of history. Their late support of LGBTQ employment rights, after SCOTUS ruled on it. Their lack of support of Black Lives Matter while putting out affirmative statements for law enforcement. Their inability to respond to #FixItSHRM.
Taylor said in 2018, "Before we were less vocal and steered away from controversial topics. That position is changing now. We will speak out on some of that." and "I’m not afraid of taking positions. Be a force for social good." https://www.workforce.com/news/shrm-as-an-advocacy-organization-gets-a-plus-sized-test
If an organization like SHRM is going to be willing to speak out and is willing to sell out thousands of members who are hurt by the administration's policies for a seat at the table, they damn well better be ready to take a position and be a force for social good.
SHRM hasn't done this, though. At every turn, they've literally shied away from anything that might harm that position. Even their lack of force on DACA, a dogwhistle for anti-immigration racists, didn't turn out to be anything but a bone for their corporate contemporaries.
Policy is very literally politics. Unfortunately, when the lives of members and the employees their members are entrusted to serve become both a political and policy issue, SHRM either stays quiet or picks the wrong side.
Sign this petition put together by @k8bisch but also consider ways that you can send a stronger message to SHRM. I chose to discontinue my membership long ago and I believe defunding them is a valuable lever that members must also consider. https://www.change.org/p/hr-shrm-must-support-black-lives-matter-the-lgbtq-community
