The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) is the largest HR professional organization in the world with 300,000 members in over 165 countries. The best way to describe the society's mission is with a quote from its vision statement:
Our purpose is to elevate the HR profession. Our mission is to empower people and workplaces by advancing HR practices and by maximizing human potential. Our vision is to build a world of work that works for all.
Members of the society receive a suite of useful benefits, but with dues ranging from $95 to $209 annually, it's important to know exactly what you'll get before signing up. Below you'll find all the information you need about SHRM--what it does, the benefits of membership, and real member reviews--so you can decide if this organization is right for you and your team.
What is SHRM?
For over 70 years, SHRM has worked to elevate the Human Resources profession. It currently boasts 575 affiliated chapters and subsidiary offices in the United States, China, India, and the United Arab Emirates. According to the Journal of Advanced Management Science, "93% of Fortune 500 Companies are represented in SHRM's Membership."
Individual SHRM members get most of their benefits through the society's website, where they can access legislative news, helpful articles, HR-related forms and templates, and a host of members-only resources--like the HR Magazine. In addition, members are invited to attend the national SHRM conference and local regional conferences. At SHRM conferences, expert speakers lecture on important and timely human resources topics, providing educational and networking opportunities for SHRM members to grow their careers.
In the simplest of terms, without the Society for Human Resource Management, the global HR industry would lose its sense of continuity. This extensive organization helps HR professionals throughout the world present a united front while navigating common issues and challenges.
Why Is SHRM So Important Right Now?
Three noteworthy topics have found their way into the national conversation and news headlines in recent years:
- The skills gap
- Employment-based immigration
- Workplace harassment
Given the delicate social climate surrounding these topics, the role played by HR professionals is more important than ever. HR professionals need to:
- Keep a close watch on social context while safeguarding employee rights and happiness at work
- Attract skilled and respectful team members
- Navigate changing immigration policies
- Improve the way people interact with each other and educate employees about harassment
- Respond to reports of harassment swiftly, lawfully and respectfully
- Achieve the goals of upper management regarding workplace productivity and profitability
To accomplish these goals, companies big and small need highly informed and well-connected HR professionals, and this where SHRM can help. The society is helping the human resources industry keep its bearings during this rapid time of change by doing the following:
- Providing new solutions to developing HR challenges
- Setting industry standards
- Keeping HR professionals up-to-date on social and legislative developments
- Advocating for legislative change
- Helping HR professionals stay on the same page
- Conducting focused research on vital HR topics
- Publishing academic articles in the media and industry journals publications
- Awarding HR certifications to HR professionals
- Connecting HR specialists throughout the globe
SHRM Membership Costs
SHRM receives financial support through donations from various partnering companies, but membership dues are another primary source of income for the organization. There are three membership options:
- SHRM Professional Membership: The standard full "SHRM Professional Membership" includes all the benefits offered by the organization (see list below), including the print edition of the monthly HR Magazine for $209 annually.
- SHRM Global Online Membership: The "SHRM Global Online Membership" is an excellent money-saving option for members who don't care about receiving a print version of HR Magazine. These members pay an annual fee of $95 per year and receive all of the benefits of professional membership, except they will need to access HR Magazine
- SHRM Student Membership: The "SHRM Student Membership" offers students a way to access all of the society's resources for a discounted annual membership fee of $40. Students don't receive a print version of HR Magazine, but they will have access to the online edition.
SHRM Membership Benefits
We already touched on several of the most important SHRM benefits, but here's a complete list in more detail:
- The HR Knowledge Center: Access to the HR Knowledge Center might be the most valuable perk of all. Members can contact an HR advisor for personalized assistance and advice on their HR-related challenges via live chat, email, and phone.
- Online Tools: The society has tools, forms, and templates to help HR professionals do their jobs better. The online tools include a library of interview guides, termination checklists, and many other resources.
- Current Research and Metrics: Members receive access to the latest industry-specific research, metrics, and statistics.
- Legislative Insights and Updates on Key Topics: Federal, state and local employment laws are constantly changing. The society keeps members up-to-date on policy changes that could affect the way they do their jobs. It also offers updates and information on key topics like employee benefits, compensation, safety, and security.
- Professional Development for HR Professionals: SHRM membership provides access to a massive amount of educational e-learning and webcast material for HR professionals.
- Guidance for the SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP Certifications: As the industry leader in HR professional certification, the society provides special training and education to prepare members for the SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP certification exams. Members can find certification scholarship opportunities as well.
- Conference Attendance: SHRM members can attend local and national SHRM conferences in addition to connecting with local SHRM chapters for networking, meetups, and outings.
- Access to Job Boards: SHRM's online HR job board that features HR positions from all over the world is another valuable resource.
What Do Real SHRM Members Say?
We scoured the web for reviews from SHRM members. Here's what they said:
Keeps Up with HR Issues, Laws, and Trends
"SHRM is a great resource for keeping up with HR issues, laws, and trends. The website and magazine alone are a huge help, but SHRM also offers a phone line, templates, and sample HR policies. There are also webinars to help you keep up with things.
Local SHRM chapters offer opportunities to learn, serve on committees, and be a presenter for workshops and panel discussions as well as volunteer, all of which are good for professional development. Additionally, SHRM lobbies for or against issues that impact HR--it is a voice for HR professionals."
Feels "In Touch" with HR
"Every HR professional needs SHRM … SHRM keeps me current on industry trends. It's a great way to feel "in touch" with HR and what's going on in my field."
Loves SHRM's Accessibility
"As a SHRM Member with SHRM-CP Certification, I love SHRM's accessibility! The ability to add a training for PDCs is so easy!"
- SHRM Member in Higher Education on G2Crowd
Enjoys the SHRM National Conference
"It's the largest HR conference in the world, and the number of helpful presentations you can attend, and people you'll meet, will give you a wealth of actionable ideas.
It's also a great way to get a high-level view of a lot of different trends that are driving change in HR. This year [2018] we heard about AI and automation and how it's working into the daily lives of HR professionals; the changing perception of millennials - turns out they're not job hoppers; how mental health is causing all businesses to rethink employee engagement; and how cloud-based platforms are driving innovation."
Is SHRM Membership Right for You?
At 2020 On-site, we like any service that contributes to the clarity and ease of our jobs. That's why we support the Society for Human Resource Management, and the work they're doing to empower HR professionals to improve the conditions of employees throughout the world.
If SHRM membership can save you tens of hours of time each year, prevent a catastrophic legal error, or help you support a healthy work environment that's free of harassment, the membership fee for SHRM membership will pay for itself exponentially.
Another way to bring your team members a little more clarity and ease is to schedule a visit from 2020 On-site's mobile vision center. Our eye care team brings the best in eye care and eyewear to your office door.
Sources
http://www.joams.com/uploadfile/2017/0613/20170613030135864.pdf
https://shrmwearework.com/
https://www.hrmag.org/page/Partners
https://www.shrm.org/about-shrm/pages/membership.aspx?_ga=2.102008898.212206103.1551792091-1039298196.1551279780
https://www.hrmag.org/page/31
https://www.quora.com/What-are-the-importance-of-SHRM/answer/Charasay-Powell-1
https://www.g2crowd.com/products/shrm/reviews/shrm-review-1587425
https://www.g2crowd.com/products/shrm/reviews/shrm-review-700182
https://www.quora.com/Is-it-worth-going-to-the-SHRM-Annual-Conference-and-Exhibition/answer/Karl-Pawlewicz