06/16/2023
LAST CALL TO REGISTER FOR THE RM SHRM MAY MONTHLY MEETING
RM SHRM June Monthly Meeting (Hybrid)
Sponsored by: Wake Forest University School of Law
Topic: Establishing a Foundation for Veterans in the Workplace
When: Tuesday, June 20, 2023; Networking: 11 AM - 11:30 AM; Program and lunch: 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Location: NC State University Club (4200 Hillsborough St. Raleigh, NC 27606) or Zoom
In-Person Cost: $30 for members & $35 for non-members
Virtual Cost: $10 members & $15 non-members
This program will be approved for 1 hour of general credit with HRCI and SHRM.
Register Now at: https://buff.ly/3N8llom
Online registration is available until: 6/19/2023
Program Overview:
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion continues to be a priority for organizations, likely including yours. In North Carolina, we have a strong presence of one diverse group in particular - Veterans. Did you know North Carolina has the highest populations of veterans in the United States? Based on a North Carolina demography study published by UNC Chapel Hill, 7.9% of the North Carolina population, equal to about 642,000 individuals, are Veterans.
Veterans are a diverse group and the case for hiring and including them in an organization is tangible. Veterans are diverse leaders who are experienced in connecting with broad audiences allowing them to connect with a wide range of clients and employees. According to McKinsey, organizations in the top quartile for diversity are more profitable.
When entering the civilian world for the first time in their life, Veterans may seek employers who are more likely to understand and embrace them. Employers should be mindful of bias or exclusivity on careers webpage and should seek to communicate commitment to employing veterans but the strategies for attraction and recruitment can be ambiguous.
One major challenge as an employer is understanding the skills and experience a Veteran brings to the workforce. When HR professionals are prepared to translate military experience, they can better understand transferable job skills required for open positions. This is an important skill for HR and recruiting professionals to have when screening applicants, but it is also important for hiring managers to possess this skill during selection and interviewing – the task of preparing managers remains within HR. But it doesn’t stop with hiring Veterans…the challenge of embracing Veterans in the civilian world continues through the full employee lifecycle. According to a survey by Syracuse University's Institute for Veterans and Military Families and VetAdvisor, 50% of veterans left their first post military job within the first year, and over 65% left within two years. It is crucial for employers to consider activities that support Veteran initiatives in all phases of the employee life cycle and develop strategies to address transitional issues veterans may encounter between the military and civilian cultural differences.
While recruiting and retaining veterans may seem like a daunting task, the benefits to an organization make it worth the investment. During this program, local experts will present an engaging discussion that will help you lead your organization’s Veteran recruiting initiatives with an understanding of the unique experiences Veterans bring and the challenges you may face retaining them.
Learning Outcomes
● Learn how to create and launch veteran initiatives within your organizations.
● Evaluate current organizational approaches to these programs, benefits, initiatives, and policies.
● Understand current organizations and programs that employers can utilize in their effort for connecting with the Veteran community.
● Understand how employers leverage offerings for talent attraction, engagement, and retention.
● Develop strategies to address transitional issues veterans may encounter between the military and civilian cultural differences.
● Explore best practices for being a Veteran friendly employer.
