This is general information and perhaps helpful links when a disaster strikes for assistance. Your company may have its own disaster plan.
How did SHRM respond during Katrina's Aftermath? This article from their newsletter, Leaders Edge (Published Fourth Quarter 2005), answers this question:
SHRM Responds to Hurricanes, By Dorothy Hill, SPHR, Southeast Regional Director
"As many of you manage personal and organizational issues relating to the recent hurricanes, SHRM has also been busy implementing a hurricanes’ response plan. We have over 1,000 members living in the areas most affected by the three storms— Katrina, Rita and Wilma.
"The first prong of the plan is to locate members directly affected by the hurricanes and to help them return to productive work in the profession. The second is to tap into the HR expertise of SHRM members and staff to share vital information and resources. The third is to leverage partnerships with other organizations that can help serve the needs of SHRM members and their organizations. Some of the key initiatives implemented so far are described below.
"The initial response effort included posting a web site message requesting 50 volunteers with HR experience to help the American Red Cross in the affected area. Within two days we had received over 700 applicants! A story of the first group’s trip is posted at www.shrm.org/hrnews_published/archives/CMS_01430 8.asp.
"A hurricane response web page was posted at www.shrm.org/issues/ hurricane. This page is chock full of information for displaced persons, for HR management issues relating to the hurricanes and for disaster planning and preparedness.
"A toll-free phone number, (866) SHRM-AID (866- 747-6243), provides a lifeline to members. Callers choose from menu options such as updating contact information or to deal with membership/conference issues. Another option provides assistance from an EAP professional in a partnership SHRM has with the Employee Assistance Professionals Association (EAPA). This cooperative project, called “The Joining Hands Project,” will run through the holiday season. Other options access key HR practice information, volunteer activities, and employment resources.
"SHRM has an exciting volunteer initiative recently publicized! Any state council or chapter needing financial (or other) assistance to support a local HR hurricane related effort can apply. An example of this was a request for funds to co-sponsor a job fair with the Clarion-Ledger in Jackson, Mississippi, where the local chapter helped over 100 people write résumés and look for jobs. SHRM has made a sizable commitment for this assistance. You can find the application and description of the program on the VLRC, www.shrm.org/chapters/resources.
"Membership has automatically been extended for SHRM members whose jobs have been lost due to the hurricanes within certain zip code ranges.
"SHRM also has made a donation for disaster relief efforts to the American Red Cross and Habitat for Humanity. The Society matched employee donations to hurricane relief charities, dollar for dollar, through mid-October by making additional gifts to these two organizations.
"Our Governmental Affairs Department has been working with federal and state government agencies to support efforts such as the temporary easing of reporting requirements for the I-9 Form. Additional efforts have followed in COBRA, 401(k), and Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) programs as well as in some state specific issues.
"A hurricane job site is now live at http://hurricanereliefjobs.shrm.org. HR job seekers can post their résumés and employers can search the site for candidates. A temporary Special Expertise Panel has been created to review SHRM’s response to the hurricanes and provide assistance in where and how to focus our resources. The panel is composed of professionals from the Southeast and Southwest Central regions who have experienced hurricane issues and SHRM members with expertise in specialty areas. The panel met in Dallas recently and made some great suggestions on continuing content and resources for HR professionals, their companies and their communities.
"We might not want to think about it now, but we need to prepare for future disasters. Almost no area of the country is impervious to some type of disaster. Hopefully you are preparing your family and your organization. Your chapter may consider hosting a speaker or a roundtableon disaster preparedness. Use SHRM as a resource; we can help!"
