Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and Human Resource (HR) Careers - Research Paper Example

Question1. Describe the role that Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) plays in setting standards in the Human Resource (HR) profession and indicate how significant this role is to the profession. One of the major roles of Society for Human Resource Management is to ensure that laws that govern the recruitment of the employees are implemented and followed in the work place. This involves lobbying with government law making bodies in over 140 countries where it operates (Jonathan, 2010).

For example, in order to comply with the anti-discrimination laws and affirmative action, SHRM collaborated with Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in 2003 to ensure that the term job applicant was amended (Peggy, 2006). This was a significant aspect especially during short listing and recruitment of employees. Other important duties of the SHRM include issuing policies on pay equity, workplace flexibility and employment of disabled individuals. Through these policies, the Human Resource (HR) profession is viewed as a career that has adequate chances of career development regardless of the gender of the employees.

Question 2. Discuss the differences between the Professional in Human Resource (PHR), Senior Professional in Human Resource (SPHR), and Global Professional IN Human Resource (GPHR) certifications and the advantages of acquiring each of these certifications. Of the three certifications, select one for your own personal career growth and state exactly how it could help you in your current career.Professional in Human Resource (PHR) is a certification awarded to individuals who have at least 2 years experience in human resources.

In addition, it aims at recognizing individuals who portray strong logistical orientation, extensive skills in program orientation and use of outlined policies to make decisions related to management of human resources (Charlier et al, 2011). The major advantage of a PHR is that it allows individuals to acquire strong mastery of strategic management, compensation and benefits, risk management as well as workforce planning and labor relations.Senior Professional in Human Resource (SPHR) certificate is the highest level in the human resources certification.

Being awarded to human resources professionals who have a minimum of six years in a complex human resources management, SPHR has an advantage of allowing individuals to design and plan human resources policies. On the other hand, Global Professional in Human Resource (GPHR) is a certification awarded to professionals who develop and implement human resources strategies at an international level. In addition, it involves controlling international projects and managing human resources departments of international companies (Ansari et al, 2010).

Of the three certifications, my current choice is PHR. This is based on the fact that it would enhance my current career in identification of basic policies that relate to HR management and rules set by Society for Human Resource Management. In this way, I will have adequate skills to pursue SPHR and GPHR in future.ReferencesAnsari, S., Fiss, P. and Zajac, J. (2010). Made to fit: how practices vary as they diffuse. Academy of Management Review, 35: 1, 67–92.Charlier, S., Brown, K and Rynes, S. (2011). Teaching evidence-based management in MBA programs: What evidence is there?

’ Academy of Management Learning and Education, 17: 6, 27–32.Jonathan E. (2010). The Changing Environment of Professional HR Associations. Cornell HR Review. Retrieved 3 April, 2012.Peggy A. (2006). U.S. Department of Labor Forms Alliance with SHRM to Promote Employment of Workers with Disabilities. U.S. Department of Labor. Retrieved 3 April, 2012.