SHRM Leaders Meet with Lawmakers to Advance Workforce Policy
SHRM President and Chief Executive Officer Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., SHRM-SCP, and SHRM Chief of Staff and Head of Government Affairs and Corporate Secretary Emily M. Dickens met with key members of Congress on April 1 to discuss SHRM’s workplace policy priorities, including strengthening the education to employment pipeline through apprenticeships, skills-based hiring and the modernization of labor laws. In meetings with Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Mich.; Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla.; Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H.; and Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Ala., they focused on reauthorizing the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and expanding apprenticeship programs to help address workforce shortages. SHRM continues to advocate for bipartisan solutions that benefit both employers and workers.
The same evening, Dickens attended a dinner hosted by the Effective Governing Coalition with Rep. Brad Schneider, D-Ill. The conversation centered on SHRM’s nonpartisan approach to workforce issues and its advocacy for key policies, including the Credit for Caring Act, Section 127, and the Paid Leave Tax Credit. As chair of the New Democrat Coalition, Schneider has been a key voice in advancing workplace policies that foster economic growth and workforce inclusion, aligning with SHRM’s ongoing efforts.
On April 3, Dickens participated in a fireside chat with Sen. Angela Alsobrooks, D-Md., hosted by a leading advocacy group, that discussed leadership, caregiving, workplace civility, and the evolving workforce. Alsobrooks reflected on the values that shape her leadership and stressed the importance of civility in policymaking. With SHRM research showing that 77% of U.S. workers have witnessed or experienced incivility in the past month, the discussion reinforced the need for bipartisan collaboration to promote a more respectful workplace culture.
As businesses and policymakers navigate evolving workforce challenges, SHRM remains committed to working with lawmakers to drive meaningful change. By engaging with key decision-makers in Washington, D.C., SHRM continues to champion policies that create better workplaces and stronger communities.
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