By Tracy Burns, CEO of NEHRA

This is typically the time of year when we take pause and look back over the past 12 months. It’s an opportunity take stock in what we are grateful for, perhaps what or whom we’ve lost and a time when we make promises and plans for the year ahead. It is in many ways a fresh start, a clean slate, a chance to reflect and re-prioritize. It seems like this year, more so than any in recent history, we are anxious to say goodbye to 2016 and move into what we all hope will be a better, brighter, if not simply a more civil 2017.

I too am looking forward to leaving 2016 in the rearview mirror, but not without first acknowledging an important lesson. This past year reminded me of the significance of relationships, of human connection, of the power we all have to help each other by simply showing up.

On September 23, my 65-year-old mother suffered a stroke. Until that day, she was relatively healthy, so the news shook me to my core. When I hung up the phone with my sister, I – for possibly the first time in my life – was literally at a loss for what to do next. With my two young boys in the car I sat on the side of the road and simply tried to catch my breath. So many things were running through my head ... how quickly can I get to her, what if she’s not going to be okay, what about my kids, and OMG the annual conference is four days away, and the board meeting ... and ... and ... I’m not 100% sure what happened for the next few minutes, but when I pulled myself together, I started making calls.

If who you call in a crisis says anything about your relationships, then what that evening reinforced for me is that I work with some pretty amazing people. Closing in on 11 pm, I connected with those who needed to know that I was about to travel 3,000 miles away with no idea when I’d be back. Each reaffirmed that despite the conference being only a few days away, I needed to go, be with my mom, and everything here would be fine.

To be honest, I never doubted that the team of people who put the conference together were well equipped to pull it off. The NEHRA staff, volunteers, board members and business partners came together to execute a nearly flawless three-day event. More importantly, because of the support they showed for me, I was able to let go of work for a while and really be with my mom both physically and emotionally.

Recently someone said to me, "You’ve not just built a vast network, you’ve surrounded yourself with great people." I smiled and responded, "Yes, I have." Not because I was accepting it as the intended compliment, but because through all of the craziness that came with 2016, I have been reminded that I truly have built relationships with some amazing and thoughtful people — and for that, I am thankful.

So yes, goodbye, 2016, but first, thank you for the reminder that relationships are important, that we all thrive when we have great people supporting us and that showing up does matter.

Here is to a happy, healthy and productive 2017 to you all!

With Gratitude,

Tracy Burns, CEO

P.S. My mom is recovering very well!!!

 

In coordination with the offices of Labor and Workforce Development and Health and Human Services, Gov. Baker announced a new program to help employees that seek worker's comp for on-the-job injuries and pain management by offering an alternative to opioid medications.

"This program is an important tool for changing behaviors and curbing the devastating opioid epidemic impacting Massachusetts," said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. "Instead of sending injured workers home with prescription opioids to ease the pain in the short term, we can assist them in understanding the long-term repercussions and other pain management options available to them."

 

Looking into 2017, Chuck Mollor and Michele Barnet Berg at MCG Partners outline the challenges facing leaders of global organizations.

 

The positivity surrounding the holiday period is expected and often contagious; but, for some, 'happy holidays' doesn't apply. Suzanne Boles, a feature writer and content creator based in London, Ontario, offers some depth to the holidays since a death in her family gave her new perspective on the season. Consider your friends and colleagues that may need a little extra love as 2016 draws to a close. (Reposted from the Headspace blog.)

 

These updates to the I-9 intend to reduce completion errors, making it easier for organizations to be compliant. Hear from the Fragomen team. The new form should be integrated into new employee verification systems by January 22.

 

Hosted by the Town of Randolph in conjunction with the Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital's Home Base Program, Veterans Inc. of Worcester, 98.5 The Sports Hub, 100.7 WZLX, and the U.S. Department of Veteran's Affairs, this career fair is an excellent opportunity to assist veterans in Massachusetts in finding careers after service. The career fair is still seeking companies that would like to participate. You'll have the chance to interview dedicated and skilled veterans on the spot, and if you have veterans in mind that might be interested, please send the details of this event to them — we can all make a difference for our service men and women!

Location and Contact Information:

January 11, 2017 – 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Stetson Hall
6 South Main Street
Randolph, MA

Kevin J. Cook, Director of Veterans Services for Randolph and Milton
phone: 617-251-7767 | email: kcook@randolph-ma.gov

 

 

As the top online connection space for professionals, LinkedIn has many resources to offer – and, what better place to ask your colleagues in HR across the Northeast thank in the NEHRA LinkedIn discussion group!

With new posts nearly every day, you can contribute your voice to top issues in human resources – some recent topics have included effective use of exit interview data, dealing with the recreational legalization of marijuana in MA, and more. Ask your questions, too – with nearly 8,000 members, there are many subject matter experts that can help you solve some of your biggest concerns.

 

It's tough to keep track of your NEHRA benefits...so we did it for you!

From archives of this eNewsletter and the Insights magazine, past NEHRA webinars and discounts on WorldatWork and Associated Industries of Massachusetts programs, you'll definitely want to keep this page bookmarked! You'll need to log into your membership, and then save the link to keep these resources at your fingertips where you can access them anytime!

 

Recruiters and staff at PSG are often asked when is the best time of year to look for a job. Our short answer to this question is that "the best time to look for a job is whenever you need one." That being said, we acknowledge that the different seasons can impact a job search. If you're looking for a new position now, here are some thoughts about what you can expect or experience. Winter in New England brings several factors that impact work productivity and employers' ability to recruit and hire new workers. The holidays – specifically Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's – are not only distracting and encompass more vacation and travel time, but may also involve office closures. New England weather can also be a factor, making it difficult for offices to schedule extra meetings or interviews. Conversely, businesses that report their financials on a regular calendar year may be waiting for new budgets to kick in after December 31 – their headcount quotas may increase and they therefore may be very motivated to bring on new staff as soon as they can flip the page on the calendar. Or they may want to fill a position before their headcount quotas are reduced in the new year's budget.

Visit the PSG Blog for more on the best time of year to search for a job!

 

Senior/HR Business Partner
Toast, Inc. - Boston, MA

Senior HR/Payroll Administrator
Bella Sante Day Spas - Boston, MA

Human Resources Generalist
Harbor Health Services, Inc. - Boston and South Shore, MA

Director of Human Resources
Confidential - New York, NY

View All Jobs on the NEHRA Job Board

 

Visit the new and improved Job Board and Career Center. We’ve upgraded the platform to provide you with a better overall experience through a modern design and an intuitive interface — which you can access through your smartphone, tablet or desktop.

Looking for HR Talent?

• Promote your job directly to both active and passive job seekers via our exclusive and targeted Job Flash email.
• Access a diverse candidate pool through our NEW diversity, veterans and social networks.
• Proactively find qualified candidates via the resume database.

With close to 70 new opportunities per month, there is a good chance you or someone you know has found a new job on NEHRA.com. The enhanced Career Center offers a more robust set of tools and resources, including great resume writing tips and job hunting advice, all aimed at making sure you’re well prepared for that perfect opportunity.

Looking for a New Opportunity?

• Search and apply to the hottest Human Resources jobs throughout New England.
• Upload your confidential resume so employers can connect with you on your terms.
• Receive personalized alerts when an opportunity becomes available that matches your skills and interests.

 

Is Unconscious Bias Sabotaging your Diversity Recruitment?
Presented by Kim Dukes, Senior VP of KNF&T Staffing's Diversity Search and Direct Hire divisions

Competition for employee recruitment and retention is intense, and those prioritizing diversity are achieving better performance. In fact, a 2015 McKinsey study notes that those in the top quartile for racial and ethnic diversity are 35% more likely to have higher financial returns. So, what if you’ve done your due diligence to prepare for diversity search, but aren’t finding the right candidates? Unconscious bias could be sabotaging your recruitment efforts. Kim Dukes will discuss what unconscious bias is and how to identify it in the hiring process. She will explain, through real world examples, how qualified candidates can get turned away due to unconscious cultural filters. She will describe how to identify these instances so you can recruit the best talent possible for a diverse and inclusive workforce.

Register for This Webinar

 

Register Here

 

HR Basics Two-Day Intensive

Cost: $549 Members, $749 Non-Members (includes 1-year NEHRA membership)

 

Beyond the Basics: Six-Part Series

Designed with the experienced HR professional in mind, NEHRA's Beyond the Basics program will prepare you for the transition from technical/content expert to HR leader. Every other week for 12 weeks you'll get hours of instruction on major components of the path to becoming a top HR professional. Our experienced faculty with help you build the critical leadership, communication, strategic and analytical skills needed to successfully navigate an organization at the leadership level. Sessions include case studies, relevant exercises and tips/tools for you to take back to your organization.

Cost: $749 Members, $949 Non-Members

Location and Registration

 

Leadership Level HR: Six-Part Series

For those who are growing out of their Generalist or Manager roles towards a leadership position, either of an HR department or a major function of HR in a larger organization. Attend six modules every three weeks from March to June to build relationships with your fellow participants - the beginnings of your own leadership network. Over the course of this program, you will learn the fundamentals of leadership, coaching, managing organizational change and aligning talent a management strategy.

Program Cost:

NEHRA Members: $1399

Non-Members: $1599 (includes a 1-year NEHRA membership)

Location and Registration