A Note From the Director
Greetings! This year, we are hosting our third conference at the Virginia Beach Convention Center from October 28 – October 30. Our theme this year is “HR Navigating the Winds of Change: Building a Resilient Workplace,” and once again, all levels of HR leaders, practitioners and safety coordinators, from every branch of state government, are invited attend. This two-and-a-half day event will feature subject-matter experts from state agencies along with national speakers, relevant and ground-breaking topics essential to every level of HR practitioner, and valuable networking opportunities with other colleagues. Secretary McDermid will also be a featured speaker.
Registration is open through October 10, and we are asking all agency HR Professionals to attend this conference. This event is the lowest-cost HR conference in the state and will equip HR offices with valuable information and resources that will benefit not only your team, but the entire agency.
More details on registration and further announcements can be found here! We hope you can join us!
Thank you!
Janet L. Lawson, DHRM Director
Reminder! Workforce Plans were DUE September 30th
Agency Workforce Plans were due to DHRM by September 30, 2025. Signed plans and the Agency Strategy Template can be emailed to dhrm.wfp@dhrm.virginia.gov. All tools, templates, and resources are available on DHRM’s Strategic Workforce Planning webpage.
For questions or more individualized consulting regarding strategic workforce planning, please contact dhrm.wfp@dhrm.virginia.gov.
Reminder! Access Mercer Compensation Benchmarking via DHRM
Staying competitive in today’s job market starts with strong compensation data. While DHRM conducts statewide reviews, it’s best practice for agencies to align their own benchmarking with business goals. To ensure your agency has the most current data to support competitive compensation practices, now is the time to secure access to Mercer’s Compensation Benchmarking platform through DHRM.
The platform provides trusted market data to inform salary analysis, compensation planning, and job evaluations. Access is available at a discounted rate of $725 per user for FY26 making it a cost-effective way to make informed, data-driven decisions.
Please contact DHRM Compensation to get started.
Effective January 1, 2026, the training "CHRM - MVP - Policy - Understanding EEO and EEO Related Processes" will become mandatory for all current employees of Executive Branch agencies covered under the Virginia Personnel Act and all new employees within the first 60 days of employment. Click on the link above to learn more.
Please note the following updates to the Commonwealth’s Required Training list posted on the DHRM Workforce Development webpage (under Learning Resources). Click the link above to learn more.
Cardinal Corner
Cardinal recently issued a communication to Absence Management Administrators and Time & Labor (TL) Administrators at PSB agencies with important reminders about managing Organizational Recognition Leave (ERL) and Service Recognition Leave (SRL) in Cardinal Absence Management. Click on the link above to learn more.
Agency Time & Labor (TL) Administrators are responsible for monitoring employee Overtime Leave balances to ensure compliance with agency, state, and federal policies. Click on the link above to learn more.
Engagement
The 2025 Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign (CVC) season is here! This is the CVC's 28th year! We are excited to share important dates and opportunities for your agency to get involved. Click on the link above to learn more.
Please remind employees of the options they have for voting this year. For questions regarding voting or eligibility, or duties and training for Officers of Election, contact the Department of Elections.
Free Flu Shot Drive-Thru Clinics Events for HealthCare Members
DHRM and Capitol Square Healthcare are partnering to provide free flu shot drive-thru clinics for COVA Care, COVA HDHP and COVA HealthAware members at Brightpoint Community College, 800 Charter Colony Parkway, Midlothian, Virginia 23114 on Friday, October 3 and Friday, October 17 from 10 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. With a make-up rain date, if necessary, on Friday, October 31 from 10 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Flu shots will be given in a covered parking garage. A photo ID and health plan ID card are required to receive a free flu shot. Employees can contact their Benefits Administrator, if there are any questions.
Anthem Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Expansion
Anthem EAP is now available to all employees who have waived their enrollment in a health plan, non-benefit eligible wage employees, adjunct faculty and TRICARE Supplement members. Employees and their household members are eligible for up to four free online or in-person counseling sessions per issue each year. In addition, other well-being resources can be accessed on the EAP website.
Detailed instructions on how to access EAP can be found here. Employees can engage with EAP by visiting anthemeap.com/cova or calling 855-223-9277. Please share this information and the flyer with employees. Employees can contact their Benefits Administrator, if they have any questions.
The Department of Motor Vehicles is excited to announce that Virginia is launching Mobile ID—and you get early access before the statewide rollout. DMV is rolling this out exclusively to state employees in waves now through October 2. Get it before anyone else does! Click on the link above to learn more.
Employee Appreciation Offers
The Department of Human Resource Management (DHRM) is pleased to announce that NASCAR and Martinsville Speedway has partnered with the Commonwealth to offer state employees a discount to the 2025 Fall NASCAR Cup Series at Martinsville Speedway Sunday, October 26, 2025. Click on the link above to learn more.
DHRM and the Washington Commanders are excited to provide state employees discounted tickets for their upcoming season! $5 of every ticket sold for the advertised games against the Bears, Broncos, and Cowboys, will be donated back to the 2025 Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign! To access the link, employees will need to enter the password VIRGINIA.
If you have any questions about the event or Commanders tickets in general, please feel free to email marissa.badorini@commanders.com. This is a limited time offer! Click on the link above to learn more.
In Case You Missed...
The 2026 Pay and Holiday Calendar was approved by the Governor and is posted on DHRM’s website. Those agencies using alternate holiday schedules should direct your employees to your internal calendars. Click on the link above to learn more.
We are excited to announce the launch of a new digital compensation Pay Action Application developed in partnership with VITA to replace the paper-driven Pay Action Worksheet (PAW) process! This change is designed to improve efficiency, reduce reliance on paper, and provide greater transparency throughout the approval process. The new application functions similarly to the telework application you are already familiar with, making it user-friendly and intuitive. Click the link above for more information.
As outlined in the Telework Policy, agencies must review each employee’s telework agreement on an annual basis and determine whether to renew or update the agreement for the upcoming year. In accordance with operational business needs, Agencies may determine the time of year to perform this review. Click the link above to learn more.
Comings and Goings....
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Congratulations Jonathan Whitby who is joining the Office of Workers Compensation (OWC), Loss Control team as a Risk Management Specialist. He is a native of Drewryville, Virginia. Jonathan comes to DHRM from VADOC where he was a Safety Specialist and prior to this position he worked for Petersburg Fire and Southampton Sheriff's Office. In his spare time, he enjoys the outdoors hunting, fishing, or working on the farm. |
Congratulations Kimberly Crutchfield who joined the HRCS Shared Services Center as a new HR Client Manager. Kimberly comes to DHRM with over 25 years of state HR experience. She began her career at VCU Health Systems, where she worked for seven years, and then served in various HR roles at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College for 16 years. She also worked briefly at DGS and most recently at the Library of Virginia. Kimberly has extensive experience especially in talent acquisition and is an expert in Cardinal. Additionally, she holds the Society of Human Resource Management - Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) certification. |
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