Emily M. Dickens Presents to SHRM Volunteer Leaders at Regional Council Business Meeting
During SHRM’s Regional Council Business Meeting, held in Salt Lake City, UT from February 6–8, select SHRM state council volunteer leaders convened. Emily M. Dickens, SHRM’s Chief of Staff and Head of Government Affairs, delivered a presentation featuring information about SHRM’s six public policy priorities, the importance of advancing SHRM’s Legislative Agenda, and more.
During her remarks, Dickens presented SHRM’s 119th congressional legislative agenda, which includes:
- Closing the Workforce Participation Gap: U.S. businesses face a talent shortage worsened by demographic shifts and employment gaps. SHRM’s policy pillars offer Congress solutions to close these gaps and strengthen the workforce.
- Shaping the Future of Work: SHRM advocates for policies addressing labor shortages, including immigration reform, paid leave, reskilling, and upskilling to support a competitive workforce.
- Modernizing Pivotal Workplace Policies: SHRM is focused on advocacy efforts to modernize bedrock legislation affecting the world of work — the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Dickens also outlined SHRM’s top five workplace state issues, which include:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Pay Transparency
- Flexible Work Arrangements
- Paid Leave
- Skills Based Hiring
Lastly, Dickens highlighted SHRM’s top five workplace policy issues for HR professionals in 2025:
- AI & Workforce Development
- Regulatory Changes
- Workforce Participation Gaps
- Inclusion & Diversity
- Employee Wellbeing and Benefits
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