A Note From the Director
Happy New Year! We hope that you and your family are safe and warm as we navigate these winter challenges. I'd like to take a few moments to go over some of the specific DHRM projects for 2026.
There is now a legislative tracker on the DHRM website that can be used to see the bills that are being tracked by DHRM during the 2026 Virginia General Assembly session. If the bill you are looking for is not listed, please go to the Virginia General Assembly Legislation Information System.
We are excited to begin planning for the 2026 DHRM HR Conference!
DHRM will be relocating to another office building in Richmond City this year. More details will be forthcoming once we start the moving process.
Thank you!
Janet L. Lawson, DHRM Director
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Employers subject to OSHA’s recordkeeping requirements were required to complete their annual injury and illness reports by January 30.This includes reviewing OSHA Forms 300 (Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses) and 301 (Incident Reports) and completing OSHA Form 300A, Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses for the previous calendar year. Click on the link above to learn more!
The rollout of DHRM’s Overtime Policy – 3.20 has sparked important conversations about overtime pay practices and flexibility. At the same time, the recent weather emergency highlighted the real challenges agencies face in balancing compliance requirements with staffing coverage and mission-critical needs during emergencies. Click on the link above to learn more!
Looking to strengthen your HR team? Encourage your staff to earn their SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP with the upcoming SHRM Certification Prep+ Course at DHRM. This 10-week virtual course is open to all Commonwealth of Virginia (COV) employees. Click on the link above to learn more!
Enrollment is now open for the 2nd cohort for the COVA Leading by Design Program. COVA Leading by Design is a dynamic, research-informed leadership development program designed for all state government leaders to help elevate their leadership presence and drive meaningful results through six interactive and thought-provoking workshops. Please see the program flyer for more information about the program and requirements. Registration can be completed by March 6th via the Commonwealth of Virginia Learning Center (COVLC). Please contact workforce.development@dhrm.virginia.gov with any questions about the program. Click on the link above to learn more!
We’re excited to announce the COLVC training programs designed to help you enhance your skills and stay ahead. These sessions will cover, AI Literacy Initiative, ADA Digital Accessibility Deadline and COV Learning Center RFI/RFP, providing practical insights and tools to support your professional growth. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, connect, and apply new strategies in your role! Click on the link above to learn more!
ADA Accommodations Guidance
ADA Accommodations can be complex and challenging. The Mid-Atlantic ADA Center offers guidance to assist in understanding accommodation requests for accommodating service and guidance animals in the workplace: Guide Dog, Service Dog, Working Dog, Therapy Dog, and Emotional Support Animal: Know the Difference.
Cardinal Corner
When employees become Reports To supervisors—whether through promotions, transfers, or other HR-driven changes—it’s critical that your agency has a process to notify your Cardinal Security Officer to ensure the appropriate Supervisor role(s) are added in Cardinal promptly. Click on the link above to learn more.
W-2s have been printed and are available in employees' ESS records soon. There are a few things to keep in mind as employees attempt to access their Cardinal ESS accounts. Click on the link above to learn more.
Engagement
We are excited to share the schedule of upcoming events and save the dates. Additional details will be shared as they become available. Click on the link above for more information.
This is a perfect time to spotlight heart health and encourage habits that protect it. Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the U.S. and managing it can be costly and time-consuming. This February, empower your team to take steps toward better heart health with these five practical tips. Click on the link above to learn more.
Virginia Voices, the new Employee Experience Magazine, is now accepting submissions for its 2026 Spring/Summer release coming in June 2026. The theme for this issue is “New Beginnings,” reflecting the start of a new gubernatorial administration, fresh initiatives across state government, and meaningful moments of change, growth, or renewal within our agencies and communities. Click on the link above to learn more.
State Employee Offer
The Department of Human Resource Management (DHRM) is excited to announce that NASCAR and Martinsville Speedway once again partnered with the Commonwealth to offer state employees a discount to the 2026 Cook Out 400 NASCAR Cup Series Race at Martinsville Speedway on Sunday, March 29, 2026. Click on the link above to learn more.
In Case You Missed...
In December 2024, DHRM introduced a new, semi-annual mandatory report: the EEO Complaint & Grievance Resolution Report. The primary goal of this report is to gather high-level data from agencies on the outcomes of internal investigations concerning employee relations issues, specifically related to EEO discrimination complaints and grievances. Click the link above for more information.
The 2026 Performance Review process is ready for use in PageUp. We would like to reminder you that the Agency HR Performance Administrators must initiate the Annual Review Process each performance cycle. Click the link above for more information.
DHRM has revised Policy 1.61, Teleworking effective January 15, 2026. There are significant changes to this policy. Please review and refer the revised policy to your HR team, your Agency’s leadership and management teams and the workforce. This may require modifications to your internal Agency policy and procedures for teleworking. The DHRM Policy Guides previously listed under Policy 1.61 are being reviewed and relevant guides will be revised and published soon. Click the link above for more information.
This is a reminder that the Virginia state minimum wage increased from $12.41 to $12.77 per hour, effective January 1, 2026. DOLI announced this adjustment in July following the annual review conducted in accordance with § 40.1-28.10 of the Code of Virginia. Click on the link above to learn more.
Virginia Management Fellows Cohort 7- Hiring Opportunity
The Virginia Management Fellows Program is dedicated to developing the next generation of leaders in the Commonwealth’s state agencies. By providing Fellows with a unique blend of real-world experience and professional development, we prepare them for long-term, impactful careers in public service. Throughout the two-year program, Fellows complete three eight-month rotations across various state agencies, gaining hands-on expertise in policy, program and project management, IT/ Cyber Security, and more.
Cohort 7 is currently completing their third, and final, rotation. Does your agency have talent needs? Would you like to hire a highly skilled individual with a demonstrated dedication to public service? To learn more about our Cohort 7 Fellows and our expedited hiring process, please reach out to Program Manager, Jasmine Walker.
Learn the Strategies of Changing the Game of Talent Competition in DHRM’s inaugural HR Publication. The best way to read DHRM’s State of the Commonwealth HR Publication is the method that works best for you!
You can read the publication in one sitting or explore it at your leisure. You can follow the contents or read the articles out of order. But whichever method you prefer, we encourage you to keep an open mind. The publication will provide you not only with strategies to address some of the points discussed, but we hope it will also spark new conversations within your teams and with DHRM. Remember, DHRM is your trusted partner and resource for all HR matters.
Help us improve future issues! Be sure to share your feedback about the State of the Commonwealth HR publication in this brief survey here.
Comings....
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DHRM is pleased to welcome Aubrey Dykes as our new Procurement Officer in the Office of Finance and Procurement. Aubrey brings a wealth of experience from both the private and public sectors and holds a Procurement Sourcing Certification from Rutgers University. With over nine years in procurement—six in private industry and three in public service, he offers a strong foundation of expertise. Outside of work, Aubrey enjoys laser engraving and is passionate about community service through his faith, partnering with his wife to support and uplift others. |
DHRM is excited to welcome Gina Sims as our new Talent Acquisition Specialist in the Office of Human Resource Consulting Services (HRCS) within the Shared Services Center (SSC). Gina is an experienced human resource professional. Her professional background includes working with the federal government as a management analyst and staffing specialist, and most recently Gina has worked as a recruitment analyst with Eastern State Hospital in Williamsburg, Va. Gina holds a Master's in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resource Management.
Gina is joining the SSC’s Recruitment team and will provide full-cycle recruitment, sourcing, hiring, and onboarding services to SSC client agencies.
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Goings...
We bid a heartfelt farewell to Denise Sandlin, who has concluded her tenure as Chief Financial Officer for the Virginia Department of Human Resource Management. Denise brought a wealth of experience and leadership to our team, and her contributions have been invaluable.
Before joining DHRM, Denise served as Assistant Superintendent of Business and Planning for Fauquier County Public Schools. Her career spans over two decades in local government and school districts, where she managed critical functions such as accounts payable, budgeting, payroll, procurement, fixed assets, grant management, audits, and technology implementation. Denise also gained private-sector experience working with CPA firms and real estate title companies.
We are excited for Denise as she embarks on her next chapter as the new Director of Finance Officer for Goochland County. Please join us in wishing her continued success in her new role!
Published by the Virginia Department of Human Resource Management
www.dhrm.virginia.gov
101 N. 14th Street, 12th Floor
Richmond, VA 23219
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