President’s Pen
by Jeff George, SPHR

Those who attended the January luncheon heard an important message about mistakes not to make in a tough economy. Our January speaker focused on compensation pitfalls to avoid. I'd like to expand the thought to overall HR management, and build on some of the good "employer of choice" advice that Scott Caewood gave in our August meeting.

While all HR practitioners need to be strategic partners in the business in which they work, we must also be the voice of long term employee relations. No one can dispute that the economy has forced much belt-tightening for American business. Despite a gloomy projection in Workforce 2020 (that we won't be able to find enough skilled workers to fill our open jobs), and despite our memories of huge recruiting challenges as recently as 2001, businesses have laid-off employees too easily and without regard to the future. How dare we speak of building employee loyalty while destroying it by our actions?

I teach an IUPUI class on compensation that has demonstrated a chilling fact. The 18 to 22 year olds who take this class show a total lack of trust in employers that manifests itself in a free agent mentality that can never bring strong loyalty to one employer. They have learned this mentality from the experiences of their parents already in the work force. With a great many boomers reaching retirement in the next 15 years, employers should be cultivating strong relationships with those just entering the work force. Yet, we are failing to do so.

Some central Indiana employers have shown great creativity in reducing human capital expenses through things such as voluntary leaves of absence, or rotating short reduction in hours to ease the burden on any one employee. On the other hand, one northeast side manufacturer recently laid-off hundreds by calling their names, one-by-one, over the PA system, handing them a cardboard box, escorting them to their desk and then out the front door. In the future, how many of us would be anxious to go to work there?

We must all be vocal about preserving whatever loyalty and future workforce potential that we can possibly salvage. In March, our speaker will present recruiting strategies to cope with a tight job market - and it will come. For now, be proactive!

HRACI Presents: Legislative Update

Date:
Thursday, February 20, 2003

Location:
Murat Center; Michigan and New Jersey, in downtown Indianapolis. Parking is free.

Time:
11:30 a.m. Registration & networking
12:00 noon Luncheon
12:30 p.m. Presentation
1:20 p.m. Adjournment

Program Cost: Members $20, Guests $30, Students $10

Sponsor: ADP TotalChoice Solutions

Reservations: Click here to register securely online using your Visa or MasterCard, or call (317) 767-9275 or email meetingreservations@hraci.org by February 14, 2003. Please be sure to include your name, company name, phone number and indicate whether you are a member, student or guest. No reservations will be accepted after this date.

Payment Method: If not registering online, bring payment to the meeting. Checks should be made payable to HRACI.

Cancellations: Cancellations after 5:00 p.m. February 14, 2003 will result in a billing for the meeting cost.

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Jane Ann Himsel, Attorney with Wooden & McLaughlin LLP, offered a few tips on how to avoid compensation mistakes in tough economic times during the HRACI January luncheon meeting.

Himsel has noticed an increase in litigation under Indiana State laws, especially in the area of wage deductions. Himsel defined wages and stressed that organizations need to review their current policies.

Himsel also advised human resources professionals to review the exempt status of their employees. As organizations downsize and become smaller, employees in the administrative category may be working on non-exempt activities more than 50% of the time. As a result, companies may experience problems with overtime violations.

Click here to view Jane Himsel's complete PowerPoint presentation:
If you have any questions for Jane, you may email her at HIMSEL@woodmaclaw.com.

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I've moved this one week earlier to avoid conflicting with the SPHR/PHR study group's first class; it's on a Wednesday this time!

What: Human Resource and related folks meet, talk, and enjoy a drink or two.

Why: Just a place and time for HR types to "get away" for a bit. No planned agenda or presentations, just casual discussion, advice, war stories, or just relax and network. I'm sure many who are getting ready to take the certification tests can commiserate there!

Who: You and any guest(s) you want to bring along!

When: 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 12th.

Where: Cheeseburger in Paradise, 4670 Southport Crossing Dr. Corner of Southport Dr. and 1-65, easy to find from the interstate!
883-4386. Ask for the HR group. (Location will change each time we meet) Call me if you have any questions. See you there!

Contact: Greg Medcalf, SPHR for more information.
Cell phone 501-6791
Director of Human Resources, Milestone Contractors, LP.
(317) 788-6890 ext. 257
Greg.medcalf@milestonelp.com

If you would like to be on the email list for future notices, just email Greg.

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HRACI is offering a $1,500 scholarship to one future human resources professional. Juniors and non-graduating seniors at accredited colleges or universities in Marion County or surrounding counties are eligible to apply. Click here for details. Click here for an application.

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The HRACI website now has a members-only area. Your user name is your membership number and password is your last name. You can make changes to your membership profile there, renew your membership on a secure server and also browse the membership list. You should have received an email earlier in November with a reminder of your membership number and password information. You can email hraci@mprecords.com for technical issues for the website.
You can now pay your membership dues and register for meetings securely online using your Visa or MasterCard.

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HRACI is offering more sponsorship opportunities in 2003!

HRACI is excited to announce a new vendor marketplace where you can have a link to every member who visits the HRACI web site. We will offer a link and a short description of your services (1-2) sentences for only $50.00 per year.

HRACI is also offering banner web site ads, employment page advertising and an opportunity to sponsor the monthly newsletter. Contact Kellie Miller, HRACI Director of Marketing, kmiller@EQRWORLD.com, (317) 915-4583.

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Wendy Bunn
Human Resource Assistant
Sigma Theta Tau International
550 W. North St.
Indianapolis, IN 46202
317-917-4940

David Dean
Vice President
J.D. Byrider
12802 Hamilton Crossing Blvd.
Camel, IN 46032
317-249-3203
317-249-3212 fax

Eric Gandy
Human Resources Manager
SAFECO Insurance Companies
500 Meridian St.
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317-262-6056
317-262-6379 fax

Marianne Glick
President
Glick Training Associates
4111 Wythe Lane
Indianapolis, IN 46250
317-577-2311
317-841-3226 fax

Tiffany Hooker
Human Resource Generalist
Denison Parking, Inc.
200 Century Building
36 S. Pennsylvannia St.
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317-655-3124
317-655-3135 fax

Theresa Jasper
Employee Benefits Coordinator
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
4790 W. 16th St.
Indianapolis, IN 46222
317-492-6530
317-492-5083 fax

Heather Ann Jenkins
Personnel Specialist
Adam's Mark Hotel & Suites
409 Galeston Ave.
Indianapolis, IN 46229
317-897-2017

Eric Merti
Group Representative
Care
5980 Tybalt Circle
Indianapolis, IN 46254
317-280-0919
317-280-0931 fax

Gretchen Neubauer

Kari Niblack
Director of Alumni Programs
IU Kelley School of Business
1275 E. 10th St.
Bloomington, IN 47405
812-855-3510
812-855-3535 afx

Paula Raybould
HRIS/Payroll Manager
Cole Taylor Bank
350 E. Dundee Road
Wheeling, IL 60090
317-373-0982

Eric Smith
Indiana Manager-Ohio Valley
ADP's TotalChoice Solutions
4101 Edison Lake Parkway
Indianapolis, IN 46545
317-843-7934
317-409-6539 fax

Mike Taylor
ADP
3665 Priority Way South Dr.
Indianapolis, IN 46240
317-843-7912

Barb Tomlinson
Employment Representative
NSK Corporation
3400 Bearing Dr.
Franklin, IN 46131
317-738-5000
317-738-5064 fax

Phillip Wilson
Steam Distribution Operator
Citizen's Gas
777 West St.
Whiteland, IN 46184
317-535-0311

Shelly Woods
Director of Compensation & HRIS
1541 City County Building
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317-327-5189

March 20, 2003: Personnel Selection, Promotion & Recruitment: A Strategic Approach Using Best Practices
Come learn from Jack Leon, PhD., Leon and Associates.
Sponsor: Prepaid Legal Services.

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The 2002 Indiana Collegiate Job Fair is scheduled for Friday, March 28, 2003 from 10:00a.m. - 3:00p.m. at the Indiana Convention Center, downtown Indianapolis.

The job fair offers employers the opportunity to meet face-to-face with qualified candidates to fill current or anticipated openings with their companies. The Indiana Collegiate Job Fair targets candidates who are either college seniors or graduates seeking degreed career positions, or students searching for internships.

The event is marketed heavily in central Indiana as well as to the thousands of students at the ten Indiana University and Purdue University campuses statewide. More than 1000 job candidates attended last year’s fair.

Registration includes a continental breakfast, lunch for two recruiters, an 8-by-6 booth table and other amenities, such as company promotion on the Career Center Job Fair website. Participating employers also receive an interactive and searchable database listing resume information on all candidates who attend the event.

Deadline for early bird registration is February 21. Regular registration runs through March 7. Cost is $495 for early bird registration or $595 after February 21. In addition, special sponsorship packages are available for either $500 or $1,000.

Register Online at: www.jobfairs.iupui.edu/icjf_emp.html

For further information contact: Becky Garrett, Job Fair Coordinator at 317-274-3215 or relgarre@iupui.edu or www.jobfairs.iupui.edu.

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On Saturday, March 8, 2003, SHRM at Purdue University will be hosting the 2003 Area III HR Games. This annual program brings human resource college students together to compete in human resource knowledge for growth and professional development. This program clearly demonstrates its value by providing students opportunities for networking with human resource and academic professionals. But most importantly it tests the students’ understanding of the basic body of HR knowledge and prepares them to pursue professional certification.

We are asking for your support in carrying out this effort and are asking for volunteers that would be willing to help from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. on the day of the event. Volunteers will assist with registration, the competition, and other assigned duties. Additionally, we will need as many SPHR certified volunteers as possible, as these are the only individuals that can serve as judges for the competition rounds.

If you are interested in volunteering or would like more information, please email Aimee DeLauro, Volunteer Coordinator adelauro@mgmt.purdue.edu with the following information:
Name
Organization
Email
Phone
and indicate SPHR or PHR Certification.

Someone from our organization will be in contact with you as the Games draw nearer.

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