SHRM Foundation Announces New Partnership with Defense Department in event with Dr. Jill Biden, First Lady of the United States



​Alexandria, Va. – Leading into Military Family month in November, today, SHRM Foundation will join the Department of Defense Military Spouse Employment Partnership in a virtual ceremony featuring Dr. Jill Biden, First Lady of the United States, to announce newly inducted organizations into the Partnership. SHRM Foundation joins 45 new partners to MSEP – bringing the number of employers to 544.

SHRM Foundation is committed to attracting, hiring and retaining Veterans and military spouses through the Veterans at Work program. Through this program, SHRM Foundation works directly with HR professionals, people managers, and business leaders to break down barriers from within the hiring process and improve supportive initiatives for veterans, military families, and caregivers throughout the employment lifecycle.

SHRM Foundation's commitment to Veterans and their families supports and aligns significantly with the MSEP, which connects military spouses with hundreds of partner employers who commit to recruit, hire, promote and retain military spouses.

"The SHRM Foundation is working to elevate military spouses who are often overlooked untapped talent in the workforce, and we are honored to become a member of the Department of Defense Military Spouse Employment Partnership," said Wendi Safstrom, Executive Director, SHRM Foundation. "Through our Veterans at Work initiative we are helping HR professionals, people managers and business leaders attract, hire and retain members of the military community and we look forward to aligning with MSEP and other members of the partnership to increase opportunities for military spouses"

SHRM Foundation in conjunction with our partners and contributors, has developed the Veterans at Work program in 2018 to provide HR professionals, people managers, and business leaders with proven educational content and resources, at no cost, to learn effective ways to reduce barriers and stigmas affecting the employment of veterans and their families.

Providing better access to employment opportunities to military families is essential to the success of our active-duty military and Veterans. The rate of military spouse unemployment is routinely higher than other demographics, and has remained steady since 2012, coming in at a staggering 22 percent in 2019. Currently, there are about 1 million military spouses in our global military community. It is a challenge for military spouses to find and maintain employment with frequent permanent change of station moves.

Since its inception in 2011, MSEP employers have hired more than 200,000 military spouses. When it launched, MSEP was part of the White House's Joining Forces initiative. The MSEP continues to be a key element of the Joining Forces initiative to increase economic opportunity and mobility for military families.

To watch SHRM Foundation's induction into the partnership and the 10-year anniversary of MSEP, follow Military OneSource and SECO on Facebook. The 2021 MSEP Annual Event Welcome Remarks and Induction Ceremony livestreams at 2 p.m. EDT today.

About SHRM Foundation

Founded in 1966 the SHRM Foundation is the 501c (3) philanthropic arm of the world's largest HR professional society, SHRM. SHRM represents more than 300,000 HR professionals across the globe, impacting 115 million workers and their families. The SHRM Foundation mobilizes the power of HR for positive social change in the workplace. Its robust programming and resources, meaningful partnerships, and evidenced-based research are educating and empowering HR professionals to hire diverse talent, build inclusive workplaces, prioritize workplace mental health and wellness, develop skills, equip young people to pursue a career in HR and help employees find purpose at work and beyond.

About Spouse Education and Career Opportunities
The MSEP initiative is part of DOD's broader Spouse Education and Career Opportunities program. The department established the SECO program to provide education and career guidance to military spouses worldwide, offering free, comprehensive resources and tools related to career exploration, education, training and licensing, employment readiness and career connections. This program also offers free career coaching services six days a week.