A Note From the Director
Greetings! We hope that you are doing well as we enter the Spring season!
DHRM office will be relocating to 600 East Main Street, 14th & 17th floors at the beginning of April. We are anticipating minimum disruption, but staff will remain available via email and/or phone if needed during this transition.
We are continuing to monitor legislation from the 2026 General Assembly session. As recently shared at the HRD Monthly call, we are actively watching and providing technical assistance for collective bargaining, paid sick leave, and paid family and medical leave bills as these bills came out of conference and head to the Governor for final action. DHRM will share updates as bills are finalized. You can find the full list of bills we are tracking here: 2026 General Assembly Session - Legislation Tracked by DHRM.
Have you started planning activities for Virginia Public Service Week, May 4-10? Agencies are encouraged to start thinking of fun and engaging activities for their employees throughout this week. The administration would like to know agencies plans, so please share your ideas with us.
March is Women’s History month, this is a great time to reflect on the often overlooked contributions of women to our history. This month help honor the pioneers and trailblazers who continue to serve and help shape the Commonwealth.
Thank you!
Janet L. Lawson, DHRM Director
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Many agencies are communicating an increase in requests from employees who have a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)to provide increased telework as a reasonable accommodation. The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) recently published an article designed to assist employers in determining reasonable accommodation alternatives to telework. Click the link above for more information.
DHRM implemented Phoenix in 2024 to provide access to archived records in PMIS (Personnel Management Information System) and BES (Benefits Enrollment System) through the SecurePass portal and advised that HuRman would be decommissioned. Click the link above for more information.
The Telework Considerations Checklist for Outside the Commonwealth of Virginia outlines the considerations that need to be addressed before agencies approve positions and employees to work remotely in locations outside of the Commonwealth. These agency responsibilities must factor in the assigned work locations’ employment laws and regulations. This may include alternate holidays, local taxes, paid family sick leave, or other fringe benefits required for any employee working in that location. Click the link above for more information.
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We are proud to announce our recent collaboration with Opportunity at Work’s Transformers in the Public Sector to advance skills-based hiring throughout the Commonwealth. Our focus is on identifying the skills essential for each role and creating practical ways to assess those skills, regardless of how candidates acquired them. This work is related to an Executive directive several years ago and the General Assembly’s legislative action last year. Click on the link above for more information.
The COV Learning Center (COVLC) will be upgraded to version 26.1 on May 8, 2026. The Spring 26.1 release brings meaningful upgrades across instructor-led training (ILT), learner experience pages, and training assignment workflows. Click on the link above to learn more!
During this administration’s transition, a few questions arose about processing VRS-65B forms for appointees in the agencies. These forms provide verification of eligibility of appointees to participate in the Optional Retirement Plan for Political Appointees (ORPPA).
While most gubernatorial appointments have been completed, a few are still outstanding and there are changes that occur during every administration’s tenure. Click on the link above for more information.
Engagement
Congratulations Cohort 1! COVA Leading by Design
DHRM’s Workforce Development Team congratulates the first set of graduates from the new COVA Leading by Design program. COVA Leading by Design is a dynamic, research-informed leadership development program created to help managers elevate their leadership presence and drive meaningful results.
Through six interactive and thought-provoking workshops, the first cohort explored the science and behaviors behind high-performing teams and discovered practical tools to lead with clarity, authenticity, and impact. Congratulations to the first graduates of this inaugural program!
Congratulations Cohort 1! From Content to Impact: Learning That Works
DHRM’s Workforce Development Team also congratulates the first set of graduates from the new From Content to Impact: Learning That Works program. From Content to Impact: Learning That Works is a 7-session learning experience designed to empower anyone who builds or delivers learning—whether you're a formal trainer, subject matter expert, team lead, manager, or occasional presenter.
Grounded in science-based learning, adult learning principles, and practical application, this program helps anyone who designs and delivers learning that is engaging, inclusive, and effective. The first cohort developed a deeper understanding of how people learn, were introduced to tools to make their content more impactful, learned about strategies to engage diverse learners, and built confidence in using technology and platforms to support learning. Congratulations to the first graduates of this inaugural program!
Commonwealth Mentorship Program Updates
We are excited that the 2025–2026 Commonwealth Mentorship Program cohort transitioned to a reduced engagement level of 1–2 hours on March 3, marking the mentors and mentees six-month milestone with an impressive 92% retention rate.
We are pleased to introduce the CMP Leadership Track for employee leaders! Registration for the 2026–2027 cohort & Leadership Track will open May 1 and remain available through June 30. The registration link will be share as soon as it is available. The CMP Class of 2026 is scheduled to graduate on August 26, 2026. Additional details will be shared soon.
The 2026 Open Enrollment for health benefits and flexible spending accounts (FSAs) will be held from May 15 - May 29. Please ensure that your agency and employees are prepared for Open Enrollment, by having the agency benefits contact, and employee contact information in Cardinal up to date to avoid missing critical Open Enrollment information. Click on the link above for more information.
State Employee Offer
The Department of Human Resource Management (DHRM) is pleased to announce that NASCAR and Richmond Raceway has partnered with the Commonwealth to offer state employees a discount to the 2026 Cook Out 400 NASCAR Cup Series Race at Richmond Raceway on Saturday, August 15, 2026. Click the link above to purchase tickets and for more information.
In Case You Missed...
As we prepare to close this chapter at the James Monroe Building, we’re planning a special Benefit Fair on April 28th to celebrate 45 years of memories, partnerships, and public service within these walls.
As part of the event, the Treasury Engagement Committee is hosting “Dogs on the Deck - "Final Bark" - a lighthearted, end-of-an-era celebration and fundraiser featuring adoptable dogs, success stories from past adoptions, and a chance to support a great cause. It’s our way of sending the building off with a little personality and a lot of heart. Click on the link above to learn more.
This policy update clarifies that Leave without Pay status and eligibility for FMLA is not required to approve an employee’s participation in Leave Share. Employees must have exhausted their applicable leave balances and present sufficient and detailed medical documentation. Intermittent use is also available to include supplementing income replacement at 80% or 60%. Forms for Leave Share requests and for leave share donations are also available and listed under the policy. Click on the link above for more information.
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.
On January 17, 2026, Governor, Abigail D. Spanberger, issued Executive Order Nine (2026), Equal Opportunity. This Executive Order supersedes and rescinds Executive Order No. 1 (2018) issued by Governor Ralph S. Northam on January 13, 2018. Click on the link above to learn more.
W-2s have been printed and are available in employees' ESS records. 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.
Comings...& Goings ....
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We are excited to welcome Jason Bryn, to the Office of Employment Dispute Resolution as the Hearings Program Director, focusing on our administrative rulings tasks and overseeing the grievance hearings program.
Jason comes to DHRM with a background in employment law, having practiced as an attorney with a focus in that area for eight years. He served in a variety of employee relations and human resources roles across private and public sector organizations for 16 years, with a specialty in ADA disability, accommodation, and accessibility issues. Jason is a former U.S. Paralympian who competed in the 2004 Athens Paralympics.
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We are thrilled to welcome Re’Kaiya McBride, who has joined the Office of Procurement and Finance as a Senior Procurement Officer. Re'Kaiya is a “Richmond-adjacent” native and a proud George Mason University alumnus, where she studied leadership and organizational development.
She has been with the Commonwealth since 2021 in roles supporting the operations and procurement of multiple state agencies. During her down time, Re'Kaiya enjoys traveling, reading historical fictions novels, baking, and creating memorable moments with friends and family.
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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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