Advance Your Organization Initiative Focuses on Work Projects

HR professionals have played vital roles during the COVID-19 pandemic. They are supporting their organizations and communities in navigating responses to the workforce and economic challenges. And they continue to assist in building organizational cultures in which people can thrive, even during a crisis. In today's tight labor market, culture is a critical business asset.

SHRM has always acknowledged the work that HR professionals do for their organizations and communities, developing and providing the right tools, resources, research and programs to bolster their efforts. Now, through the new Advance Your Organization (AYO) initiative, SHRM-certified HR professionals can earn up to 30 professional development credits (PDCs) toward recertification for work they do every day.

AYO is one of three categories of recertification credit (along with Advance Your Education and Advance Your Profession). Let's highlight two AYO programs: COVID-19 Work, which has been in place since the height of the pandemic, and Inclusive Workplace Cultures (IWC), which launched on Oct. 15.

These programs further SHRM's goals by facilitating recertification for individual credential-holders while simultaneously encouraging the development of better workplaces for all.

COVID-19 Work Program

SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP credential-holders can earn up to 30 PDCs in the AYO category for documented activities relating to the pandemic, such as:

• Reducing disease exposure and facilitating quarantine pay.
• Implementing vaccine mandates, health screening and testing.
• Complying with the CARES Act, FFCRA, WARN, PPP loans, and other laws and emergency programs.
• Supporting essential businesses and workers, hazard pay, and protections.
• Transitioning to a virtual workforce.
• Managing furloughs, pay reductions and layoffs.
• Returning to work, social distancing and alleviating employee fears.
• Managing recalls and new hiring.
  

SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP credential-holders who have completed any of these activities or who are in the process of implementing them now can get recertification credit for their work.

Go to COVID-19 Work to review the guidelines for this program. Fill out a summary form and submit it through the SHRM Certification Portal. For completed activities, the form will apply retroactively.

Inclusive Workplace Cultures Program

SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP credential-holders can earn up to 30 PDCs in the IWC category for documented activities relating to the development of diverse, inclusive, flexible and engaging organizational cultures.

Refer to the Inclusive Workplace Cultures project outline and follow the recommended phased steps. SHRM credential-holders can create any IWC project they believe will advance their organization, or peruse the suggestions on SHRM's list of recommended Inclusive Workplace Cultures Transformation Efforts and be inspired.

Individuals who are SHRM-certified and who have already earned a SHRM Inclusive Workplace Culture Specialty Credential will be able to apply it to their IWC project. This specialty credential program teaches participants how to maximize potential through fostering a positive work environment rooted in inclusivity and belonging, ultimately unlocking the organizational gains of a diverse and dedicated workforce.

Go to Inclusive Workplace Cultures to review the guidelines for this program. Fill out a summary form and submit it through the SHRM Certification Portal.

HR's Monumental Impact on the World of Work

HR professionals have been continually committed to their organization and workforce. SHRM credential-holders have applied what they've learned through certification to do even more for their organizations and workforces. Now it's time for HR professionals to do more for their own professional development.

The AYO programs—COVID-19 Work and IWC—are two ways SHRM credential-holders can advance their organization and their career.