March 10, 2010. Cornelia Gamlem will speak at the Northern Virginia Apartment Association’s Membership Meeting about Generations at Work.

April 30, 2010. Cornelia Gamlem will participate in a discussion on the “Impact of the Economy on the Workforce: Implications for EAP Support” at the 2010 Spring Conference of the Virginia Employee Assistance Program Chapters.

January 26, 2010. Cornelia Gamlem Featured in SHRM Online Article on Progressive Discipline. Rebecca Hastings SPHR, on-line Editor/Manager for SHRM interviewed Cornelia Gamlem SPHR, president of GEMS Group Ltd., a management and HR consulting, for her article “Designing a Progressive Discipline Policy”. January 26, 2010.

Discussing the issue, Hastings wrote “Although some HR experts question the efficacy of progressive discipline, there is general agreement that when such a system is used it must be carefully designed, backed up by clear procedures and administered by well-trained supervisors.”

Gamlem commented that ““I have seen progressive discipline policies work very effectively,” however there are some necessary elements required for success. “The policy needs to have some flexibility so that the type of discipline is appropriate for the breach of conduct.” She also noted that managers should receive training so they understand the policy and realize they have the flexibility to use some judgment in determining the level of discipline to be used for the circumstances. The training should explain how to create effective and defensible documentation.

To read the entire article by Hastings, Click Here

September 10, 2009. Cornelia Gamlem Panelist at The Washington Working Women’s Forum. Washington, DC. Cornelia Gamlem SPHR, President of GEMS Group ltd. was a Panelist at The Washington Working Women’s Forum. The theme of the Forum’s inaugural event was Yes She Can! Making Work Life Balance a Reality. The Forum brought together a diverse group to discuss the evolving workforce of the 21st century and the importance of balance to this new group of workers. Gamlem talked about the importance for organizations and business schools to recognize the changes in today’s workplace, notably, in the way work is performed, and the need to make the necessary adjustments, such as flexible work options, to conform to these changes. She also stressed that it is important for people to “Just take time to be” and not to constantly be doing.

June 15, 2009. Cornelia Gamlem Featured in SHRM Online Article on Diversity. Bill Leonard, Senior Writer for HR Magazine, interviewed Cornelia Gamlem SPHR, president of GEMS Group Ltd., a management and HR consulting, for his article Sotomayor’s Nomination: A Watershed Event? June 15, 2009

In looking at the appointment of Sonia Sotomayor Leonard wrote “In recent history, appointments to the highest U.S. court have reflected societal trends, and some nominations mark watershed moments… Sotomayor’s nomination comes in the midst of one of the biggest demographic shifts in U.S. history, as the number of people of Hispanic descent continues to climb rapidly…”

Gamlem commented that “The president made it very clear when he started the selection process that he would look closely at experience and qualifications, so I don’t think his choice of Sotomayor was based solely on her sex and ethnic background. By looking at her competencies, background and knowledge, the president was able to select someone with both a diverse personal and legal background.”

To read the entire article by Leonard, Click Here

To read more about the diversity of Sotomayor’s Visit HR Gems Blog

June 17, 2009. Cornelia Gamlem took HR Professionals at Dulles SHRM on The Diversity Journey. The participants heard how to implement a diversity initiative that‘s a long-term, and on-going change effort and how to measure successes.

April 1, 2009. Cornelia Gamlem Featured in HR Magazine Article “Cutting Hours Without Increasing Risk”. Rita Zeidner, Senior Writer for HR Magazine, interviewed Cornelia Gamlem SPHR, president of GEMS Group Ltd., a management and HR consulting firm, for her article that explored the hidden risks of cutting workers’ hours rather than conducting layoffs. Gamlem discussed the human element of keeping workers onboard, even with reduced pay.

To read the entire article by Zeidner, Click Here

March 28, 2009. Arlington, VA. Cornelia Gamlem SPHR, President of GEMS Group ltd. addressed HR professionals studying for HRCI certification regarding employee relations, equal employment opportunity and affirmative action.

December 19, 2008. Cornelia Gamlem Featured in SHRM Online Article on Staffing Management. Bill Leonard, Senior Writer for HR Magazine, interviewed Cornelia Gamlem SPHR, president of GEMS Group Ltd., a management and HR consulting firm, for his article Many Managers Stymied by Diversity Hiring. Reporting on a recent survey of more than 2,500 HR executives conducted by the Novations Group in Boston about effective recruiting and hiring of a diverse workforces, Leonard wrote “While most employers understand the value of having a diverse workforce, many HR managers still struggle with the challenges of diversity hiring.”

Gamlem noted that she tells her clients and HR managers that local community groups offer an excellent resource and opportunity for businesses that want to expand and find new sources for recruiting talent. “These groups offer great opportunities for organizations to get involved and learn more about the concerns and issues of their members,” she said. “Groups like the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce or the [National] Association of Black Accountants have great programs in place and offer wonderful networking opportunities for employers and job seekers.”

To read the entire article by Leonard, Click Here

October 22, 2008. Front Royal, VA. Cornelia Gamlem, President of GEMS Group ltd was the featured presenter and speaker at the Winchester Area chapter of SHRM. Gamlem delivered a seminar entitled “The Diversity Journey” which was an interactive session taking the participants through a process of implementing a successful diversity initiate that is incorporated into an organization’s operating philosophy. The three-hour workshop was followed by a presentation of Current Diversity Trends at the chapter’s monthly meeting. Participants explored shifts in demographics, the economic and political climate, and the business environment that are presenting challenges and opportunities for Human Resources leaders.

April 16, 2008. Reston, VA. Cornelia Gamlem SPHR, President of GEMS Group ltd. spoke about Leadership for Human Resource Professionals at Marymount University’s HR Symposium.

March 19, 2008. Falls Church, VA. Cornelia Gamlem SPHR, President of GEMS Group ltd. addressed HR Professionals in healthcare regarding Recruitment & Retention challenges during a symposium sponsored by Advance Forums.

February 28, 2008. Alexandria, VA. Cornelia Gamlem SPHR, President of GEMS Group ltd was featured in a SHRM Webcast about New Challenges in Combating Absenteeism.

September 20, 2007, Hanover, MD. Cornelia Gamlem SPHR, President of GEMS Group ltd. addressed HR professionals regarding Generations at Work.

August 29, 2007, Alexandria, VA. Cornelia Gamlem SPHR, President of GEMS Group ltd. addressed HR Professionals in the industry regarding Workforce Trends and HR Challenges at the Paperboard Packaging Council’s annual meeting.

August 15, 2007, Herndon VA. Cornelia Gamlem SPHR, President of GEMS Group ltd. spoke to HR professionals about Moving from Conflict to Collaboration.

June 23, 2007, Las Vegas, NV. Cornelia Gamlem SPHR, President of GEMS Group ltd. was a featured speaker at SHRM’s Annual Conference where she addressed students and presented a primer on Etiquette @ Work.

May 23, 2007. Washington, DC. Cornelia Gamlem, President of GEMS Group ltd. testified on behalf of SHRM at a public meeting at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) regarding “Achieving Work/Family Balance: Employer Best Practices for Workers with Caregiving Responsibilities.” Ms. Gamlem discussed what employers are doing to help employees who serve in a caregiving capacity achieve work-life balance and how SHRM assists its members to promote and establish work-life policies.

December 6, 2007, Beiijing, China. Cornelia Gamlem, President of GEMS Group ltd. was part of SHRM’s HR delegation to China. The delegates engaged in a series of professional presentations and discussions with HR colleagues in Beiijing and Shanghai. They also met with professors of management studies at Tsinghua University University’s School of Economics and Management in Beiijing and the School of Business at Fudan University in Shanghai. Read More.

11/12/2007 Cornelia Gamlem Featured in SHRM Online Article on Technology regarding Reporting Race. The article discusses software changes necessary to capture changes to EEO-1 and Affirmative Action reporting.

Gamlem stated “I have some concern that the major HRIS developers and software programmers don’t understand the impact this will have on their systems,” says Cornelia Gamlem, vice president at large of the Society for Human Resource Management’s Board of Directors and a former chair of the SHRM Diversity Committee. “I’d tell HR managers they need to be aware of these changes, and they need an understanding of what changes have been approved and are pending. And they need to talk to their software vendors and IT staffs so nothing falls through the cracks.”

June 26 2006. Washington, DC. Cornelia Gamlem, President of GEMS Group ltd. was a featured speaker at SHRM’s Annual Conference where she delivered a presentation entitled “Etiquette at Work: Courtesy is Contagious.” The session was featured in the Conference Daily.