For decades, SHRM has been the institution shaping HR standards, HR certifications, and workplace policy. But as political tensions rise, protections erode, and credibility questions grow louder, HR leaders are asking a new question: What happens when the largest HR organization in the world stops representing workers — and starts representing itself?

In this packed, no-nonsense episode of Toot or Boot originally recorded in November 2024, Stacey Nordwall sits down with Sarika Lamont, Tracie Sponenberg, and Morgan Williams to unpack the long, complicated history of SHRM’s decisions and the ripple effects those choices have had on the HR profession, marginalized employees, and federal policy.

The group traces SHRM’s evolution from “the only place HR could go” to an entity criticized for political alliances, removing equity from DEI, paywalling pandemic resources, and most recently, found responsible for discriminating and retaliating against a former employee.

They also dive into something that matters even more: the rise of people-first HR communities that filled the vacuum when SHRM didn’t — and what HR practitioners can rely on now.

Whether you’re SHRM-certified, SHRM-skeptical, or SHRM-conflicted, this conversation gives you the context you need to understand what’s at stake for HR, workers, and the future of workplace policy.

Key takeaways

SHRM’s decisions shape HR policy, employment law, and workplace norms worldwide.
The organization’s political alignment has shifted sharply — and visibly — in recent years.
SHRM paywalled critical COVID resources at the height of crisis.
Removing the “E” from DEI sent a damaging message to marginalized workers.
Johnny Taylor’s public stances contradict SHRM’s stated neutrality.
SHRM’s lobbying often benefits employers, not employees or practitioners.
The ongoing discrimination lawsuit highlights internal cultural issues.
HR’s community-driven response during COVID created better models for learning and support.
Alternatives — Peak HR, Hacking HR, Safe Space, Troop HR, and others — now offer richer, people-centered resources.
HR leaders must stay informed because SHRM’s policy influence impacts workers, equity, and the future of the profession.

Timestamps

02:00 — How each guest’s SHRM journey shaped their perspective
07:00 — The SHRM–HRCI split and political entanglements
12:00 — SHRM’s silence after George Floyd and LGBTQ+ cases
16:00 — The COVID paywall and the turning point in trust
20:00 — Johnny Taylor’s political positioning and the Labor Secretary shortlist
25:00 — Why SHRM’s power matters for HR and workers
33:00 — The danger of “civility” replacing equity
40:00 — How HR community spaces filled the gap
50:00 — Alternatives to SHRM and where HR is going next

SHRM controversy, HR policy, Johnny Taylor, DEI equity removed, SHRM lawsuit, HR community, workplace politics, HR certification, lobbying impact, alternatives to SHRM