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Preparing for Your Legislative Visits: How to Have the Most Impact 2 April 9, 2015 2
Today s Agenda Logistics / Schedule HR public policy issues for your Capitol visits Meeting materials Security at the Capitol What to expect at the Capitol Tips on how to conduct a meeting Engaging year-round Questions 3
Logistics/Schedule 9:00 am 10:30 am Attend the Capitol Boot Camp (**Double-check the master schedule in the Capitol for changes in room numbers**) 10:40 am Group photo on Capitol grounds 10:30 am 12:15 pm State Assembly & Senate Visits 12:30 pm Be Back at the Hotel for Lunch, Keynote Presentation By 5:00 pm Submit meeting feedback details online (advocacy.shrm.org) or through the SHRM Advocacy App. 4
Issues to Cover in Your Meetings C Voluntary Veterans Preference Employment Policy Act (AB 1383) The Workplace Flexibility Act of 2015 (AB 1038) California Family Rights Act Expansion (SB 406) 5
Issues to Cover in Your Meetings Voluntary Veterans Preference Employment Policy Act (AB 1383) Authorizes employers to extend preference to honorably discharged veterans during hiring process Preferences voluntary, not mandatory Clarifies such preferences non-discriminatory Amends FEHA s current veteran s preference exception to prevent any discrimination claim for exercising preference 6
Issues to Cover in Your Meetings Voluntary Veterans Preference Employment Policy Act (AB 1383) Similar bills passed with bi-partisan support in a dozen states AB 1383 supported by other groups Labor and Employment Committee hearings on April 22, 2015 7
Issues to Cover in Your Meetings Voluntary Veterans Preference Employment Policy Act (AB 1383) - Key Points to Make SHRM/CalSHRM support extending California s veterans preference Addresses the important issue of re-employing returning veterans Voluntary, rather than a mandate Provides clarity regarding potential discrimination claims Very popular benefit, and similar laws passed in a dozen states 8
Issues to Cover in Your Meetings Click The Workplace Flexibility Act of 2015 (AB 1038 - Jones) Individual employees may request alternative work week schedule May work 4 x 10 schedule without daily overtime for up to 10 hours Retains other overtime provisions: More than 10 hours daily More than 12 hours daily (double time) More than 40 hours weekly 9
Issues to Cover in Your Meetings Click The Workplace Flexibility Act of 2015 (AB 1038 - Jones) Other employee protections: Only employee can request Must be in writing and describe schedule Employee or employer may discontinue by written notice Similar versions of the bill voted down in committee in 2013 and 2014 on a party-line vote Democrats voting NO and Republicans voting YES Strongly opposed by organized labor 10
Issues to Cover in Meetings The Workplace Flexibility Act of 2015 (AB 1038 - Jones) Key Points to Make in Your Meetings Click SHRM/CalSHRM support allowing employees greater flexibility to maintain work/life balance Does not eliminate daily OT, but allows employees additional choices Extends public sector and union scheduling flexibility to private employers Other benefits include less commuting time, reduced environmental impact and less absenteeism a happier workforce 11
Issues to Cover in Your Meetings California Family Rights Act Expansion (SB 406) Would reduce 50 employee requirement to 5 employees (same for 75 mile exception) Expanded definition of child: Adds domestic partner and loco parentis Removes age/dependency requirements Adds grandparents, grandchildren, sibling, domestic partner, parents-in-law for family leave issues Removes same employer exception for child birth 12
Issues to Cover in Your Meetings California Family Rights Act Expansion (SB 406) - Key Points to Make During Meetings SHRM/CalSHRM support providing leaves, but oppose mandates and SB 406 Dramatically reducing thresholds may impact small businesses Numerous differences with FMLA will further complicate California law 13
Meeting Materials Schedules for Assembly and Senate visits (includes meeting times and locations) Backgrounders on the key legislative issues (Colored sheets) Leave-behinds for legislators 14
Security at the State Capitol Security measures are in place to protect all who enter the Capitol building: state officials, employees, and visitors. Visitors entering the Capitol building will be subject to security-control measures and checks which include, but are not limited to: Passing through a metal detector (likely no need to remove belts or shoes) X-ray and visual examination of all packages Presentation of positive identification 15
Security at the State Capitol Prohibited Items: aerosol containers non-aerosol spray (except with prescription) mace & pepper spray creams/lotions/perfumes (gallery only) cans & bottles food or beverages drugs or narcotics knives razors & box cutters guns, replica guns, ammunition or fireworks electric stun guns, martial arts weapons or devices battery operated devices (gallery only) cameras (gallery only) video records / any recording device (gallery only) bags larger than 14 W x 13 H x 4 D (except if carrying materials for a verifiable meeting) pointed objects (i.e. Knitting needles, letter openers, etc. Pens and pencils permitted.) 16
What to Expect at the State Capitol A significant amount of walking A busy legislative office schedule To meet with a legislative staff person; the legislator may drop in Unfamiliarity with CalSHRM, the HR profession and perhaps workplace issues Staff may not be an expert on each issue 17
What to Expect at the State Capitol Do not be discouraged if you only meet with legislative staff - their thoughts and input are vital to a legislator s decision-making process! 18
Conducting a Meeting at the State Capitol Select a Meeting Leader to Provide: Group introduction CalSHRM introduction Issue introduction Thank the staffer Leave your contact information 19
Conducting a Meeting at the State Capitol Remember Your Advantages: You are their constituent You are the expert You deal with these issues on a daily basis, and most importantly, realize their real-world implications Few legislators and their staff have an HR background 20
Conducting a Meeting at the State Capitol Meeting Do s Part I: Arrive at the office and say, We re with CalSHRM and we have an appointment with Thank the Legislator/staff for their time Give the Legislator/staff your business cards and do introductions State, We have the following issues we d like to discuss with you. 21
Conducting a Meeting at the State Capitol Meeting Do s Part II: Note CalSHRM s positions: CalSHRM Position: CalSHRM supports AB 1038 Workflex CalSHRM Position: CalSHRM supports AB 1383 Veterans Preference CalSHRM Position: CalSHRM opposes SB 406 CFRA Expansion 22
Conducting a Meeting at the State Capitol Meeting Do s Part III: Share Your Story - Use personal workplace experiences that relate to the issues Provide the leave-behind document for reference (use it as a guide to your remarks) Follow-up by sending a thank you e-mail that reiterates your position 23
Conducting a Meeting at the State Capitol Meeting Don ts: Don t be impolite Remember you are representing SHRM/CalSHRM and your organization Don t argue if the office doesn t support our positions. Agree to disagree on these issues, hoping you ll find agreement on future issues you may discuss with them 24
Conducting a Meeting at the State Capitol Two Meeting Types: With a Legislator/staffer The Drop Off (no scheduled meeting due to staffer being unavailable to meet at that time) 25
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Exciting SHRM Advocacy Resource! SHRM Advocacy App Download SHRM s new advocacy mobile app (free in app stores) Through SHRM s Advocacy App, You Can: Immediately take action on alerts using SHRM-provided templates Connect to your state and federal lawmakers Join SHRM s Advocacy Team (A-Team) Quickly submit lawmaker meeting or event feedback Engage with lawmakers and fellow HR professionals on social media View legislative issue information on workplace issues Stay up-to-date on all legislative updates facing the workplace *Please be sure to accept push notifications 27
After Your Meetings You can be engaged and make a difference in: 60 seconds 2 minutes 1 hour 3 days 28
SHRM s Advocacy Team A-Team ❶ HR Advocate: Receive key legislative and regulatory updates and calls to action from SHRM Stay up to speed on all the potential issues that could impact the workplace Have access to all SHRM s tools to quickly and easily contact your lawmakers on issues of interest to you, your company and your state ❷ Advocacy Captain: Serve as a leader within your congressional district on HR issues Rally other SHRM Advocates around a call to action Be a direct workplace policy resource to your respective member of Congress throughout the year 29
Contact Information During Capitol Meetings Jason Gabhart, California State Government Relations Advisor, SHRM Cell: 916-833-0462 Jason.Gabhart@shrm.org Michael Kalt, Esq., State Legislative Director, CalSHRM Cell: 858-414-3018 mkalt@wilsonturnerkosmo.com Meredith Nethercutt, Senior Associate, Member Advocacy, SHRM Cell: 703-362-2366 Meredith.nethercutt@shrm.org 30
Questions? 31
THANK YOU! 2015 CalSHRM Advocacy Day 32