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AVHRA President’s Message – November 2021

    November 8, 2021

    Our HR Community Moving Forward!

    Autumn is that time of year when crops and fruits are gathered and leaves fall, generally for us in Central Washington, from September to November. Our countryside is currently riotous with color, but this beauty won’t last long. I see myself in this shedding of color. I’m tired. The pandemic, and the resultant need that our companies and organizations have for our HR community, has been challenging and exhausting.

    It has been important for us to be measured in our work, giving the best advice we can (to both organizational leadership and employees) with the information available. This constant vigilance has been exhausting. But as with autumn, it will end; it will lead to rebirth. The pandemic has provided HR with a sort of rebirth. In SHRM’s HR Magazine, Fall 2021 edition, Tam Harbert wrote,

    The COVID-19 pandemic threw employers and employees into chaos and uncertainty…HR operated in crisis mode for much of 2020 and the first half of 2021, figuring out how employees could work from home, trying to provide extra mental and physical work support, and working more than ever on C-level strategies for keeping their organizations functions. As the dust continue to settle and companies adjust to a new normal, the role of HR has fundamentally changed.

    So, congratulations! You made it! It’s not done yet, but I suspect there is more of the pandemic behind us than in front of us. How about joining colleagues for one of the following events to celebrate and provide support to each other? We’d love to see you in person!

    • Wine Social
      • November 18, 2021 – 5:30pm to 7pm – Watermill Winery
      • Register at Eventbrite.
    • Annual Employment Law Update
      • December 2, 2021 – 7:30am to 12noon (tentative) – Wenatchee Convention Center and virtual
      • Mark your calendar. Details forthcoming.

    The Apple Valley HR Association is in transition! We have several board positions open for 2022. If you are curious about how you can contribute, please let me know. I’m happy to share our work and your potential contributions.

    Staci Sleigh-Layman, President Apple Valley HR Association