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Legislative Affairs

HRMA Legislative Affairs

HRMA is proud to roll out the content below. As HRMA and HRMA members, it is up to us to get involved with our legislators both on the State and Federal level to advocate our support or concerns on current legislative issues. HRMA encourages you to take action by evaluating current issues and taking advantage of all of the resources available to you.

 

News from our Legislative Chair:

Suzanne Boy
Attorney at Law
Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A.
1715 Monroe Street
P.O. Box 280
Fort Myers, FL  33902
Direct Dial: 239.344.1403
Direct Fax: 239.344.1545
Suzanne.Boy@henlaw.com
www.henlaw.com
Visit our Employment Law Blog at www.swflemploymentlawblog.com

 

The EEOC Office of Legal Counsel staff members wrote the following letter to respond to a request for public comment from a federal agency or department. Click here for details.

 

The EEOC published its final regulations implementing Title II of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA). Click here for a copy of 29 CFR Part 1635 Regulations Under GINA or 2008; Final Rule.

 

The Employee Free Choice Act

“As confirmed by President Obama and Vice President Biden last week in a meeting with the AFL-CIO, the Employee Free Choice Act (“EFCA”) remains a high priority on the labor agenda of this administration. EFCA is legislation designed to increase a union’s ability to organize workers by amending the National Labor Relations Act to eliminate the need for employees to decide by secret ballot vote whether to be represented by a union. Stated differently, EFCA establishes a “check card” procedure whereby a union could be certified if a majority of the employees signed union authorization cards. In addition, EFCA sets forth a strict timeframe within which employers and a newly formed union are to reach a first contract- either through negotiations between the parties, mediation, or ultimately binding arbitration. Lastly, EFCA will impose severe penalties for employer non-compliance during union organizing campaigns and first contract negotiations, including (i) up to $20,000 per violation against employers found to have willfully or repeatedly violated employees’ rights during organizing campaigns and first contract negotiations; and (ii) treble back pay from an employer when an employee is discharged or discriminated against during an organizing campaign or first contract negotiations.

Through HR Voice, SHRM members have the opportunity, and ability, to influence the passage of proposed legislation, like EFCA, by directly notifying elected officials as to how you believe the bill would affect the HR profession and your organization. Thus, to the extent you oppose passage of this bill, you are invited to get involved by visiting the SHRM website and writing to your elected officials.”

http://www.shrm.org/government

Federal Legislative Links:

Locate Your Member of Congress www.house.gov

Tour the White House www.whitehouse.gov

 State Legislative Links:

Locate Your Florida Senators

Research Current Proposed Legislation

 

 

HR Voice FAQ

What is HRVoice?

As an SHRM member, you are automatically enrolled in HRVoice. HRVoice assists you in taking proactive steps to shape public policy affecting the HR profession. SHRM members, through the HRVoice program, can play an instrumental part in influencing legislation on the national and state levels.

What Effect Will My Involvement Have?

As an HR professional, your voice provides a unique perspective that your member of Congress may not have considered. By joining forces with other HR professionals, you directly affect the outcome of pending legislation and regulations. Your actions will ultimately benefit employers and employees all across the nation.

Do I Have To Be a Political Expert?

No. HRVoice is for political novices and seasoned professionals alike and is nonpartisan. HR professionals with an interest in the continued viability of the profession are the best representatives of the field to Congress. Tools to help you educate Members of Congress, such as SHRM Fact Sheets, quarterly newsletters featuring lobbying tips and legislative updates, and an HRVoice toolkit are available through this section of SHRM Online.

How Does It Work?

Members of HRVoice receive monthly legislative updates through Insiders, a publication written by SHRM Governmental Affairs staff. You also periodically receive legislative alerts on bills introduced in Congress that will affect the workplace and require your professional input through phone calls, letters, faxes or meetings. Talking points and/or sample letters included in the alerts will serve as a guide for communicating with members of Congress. What you decide to do with this information is up to you. Other activities available include attending political media events, giving legislative updates at chapter meetings and state conferences, and even testifying before Congress.

Because most communications from SHRM are via e-mail, it is critical that we have your correct current e-mail address. Please visit our Member Services Guide ( http://www.shrm.org/memberkit ) to update your membership information.

How Can I Help?

Visit the Governmental Affairs (http://www.shrm.org/government) web page and send an e-mail or letter to your Congressional representatives on any or all of the sample letters that are listed. If you do not know who your member of Congress is, just enter your zip code to find out. Additionally, take a moment to review the legislative fact sheets. Then, be ready to respond to legislative alerts that you may receive from SHRM. It is that easy. If everyone contacts his or her member of Congress, we will make a difference.