How Does a Human Resources Professional Keep Up with Healthcare Laws?

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If you are considering a career in human resource management, you may have wondered how human resource professionals keep up with healthcare laws. It’s true that even as students are obtaining degrees in human resources, lawmakers are considering bills that could radically change the way that you do business once you graduate. Unfortunately, alarmists in social media and others with their own agendas often spread falsehoods or misleading information about bills or laws affecting human resource professionals. From the outside, it might seem impossible to keep up with the changes. Fortunately, there are some sound sources from which you can get the information you need, and continuing education is available to help human resources professionals on top of every law that effects the industry.

Government Resources

One of the best ways to get the information you need on any topic is to go straight to the source. For human resource professionals concerned with healthcare laws, government websites provide the most reliable, up-to-date information.

Regardless of the size of company for which you might work, the U.S. Small Business Association has great information on all aspects of human resources and employment law. Their learning center features education on healthcare and legal requirements for businesses of all sizes. By registering to get email updates from the SBA, you can also get information about live educational events in your area. These events provide valuable continuing education opportunities to human resource professionals.

The United States Department of Labor also has several resources for those employed in human resources management. Their employment law guide includes an entire section dedicated to healthcare and other employee benefits.

Private Organizations and Continuing Education

Private-sector organizations also exist to help human resource professionals remain abreast of existing healthcare laws, changes in those laws and other legal information pertinent to the profession. Most notable is the Society for Human Resource Management. This international organization, founded in 1948, is the largest of its type in the world. With over 275,000 members in more than 160 countries, SHRM empowers human resource professionals through publications, conferences, local chapter meetings and more. Certifications through SHRM are a valuable, cost-effective way for companies of all sizes to educate their human resources staff and remain current on legal and ethical issues facing employers today.

Other human resources associations with a wide range of focus and breadth include

  • The International Public Management Association for Human Resources
  • WorldatWork
  • The International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans
  • The National Human Resources Association
  • The Labor and Employment Relations Association

Continuing education is essential to career maintenance and growth for individuals in many different job fields today. Recent and ongoing changes in healthcare laws as well as a variety of new and proposed employment laws make it more important than ever for human resources professionals to remain current on legislation that affects their chosen career field. Fortunately, by utilizing government resources and private organizations that offer resources and continuing education in human resources management, all HR professionals can get the information they need to perform their work legally and ethically.

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