News

CWP/VLERA Webinar: “Returning to Work During the Pandemic”

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – On Wednesday, November 17, the Center for Workplace Performance and the Virtual Chapter of the Labor and Employment Relations Association will be hosting a free webinar on, "Returning to Work During the Pandemic." The webinar will take place from 8–9:15 p.m.

During the fall 2020 semester, this panel of HR professionals presented what has been the most popular of all of CWP’s webinars. They discussed in detail the issues related to remote work that the Covid-19 pandemic had raised. One of the questions they addressed was their projects regarding life after the pandemic.

A year later the issue is not “post-pandemic,” but returning to work during the continued pandemic, a consequence of the Delta variant finding its way into our lives. This group’s encore presentation will examine how organizations have had to address this continued public health concern in the context of both governmental and organizational policy and procedure.

Our panelists are all HR professionals with extensive experience in addressing remote work as this pandemic continues. They will provide insights based on the environments in which they work: manufacturing; travel; and communications/entertainment.

This webinar has been approved for HRCI Recertification Credits and CEUs.

Agenda

A. Back to the Office (pre-COVID Delta Variant)

What changed – what became the new normal?

B. Rise of Delta Variant - Resurfaces Workplace Concerns

Reinstitution of controls (masks, on-site, travel restrictions);
Employer push for the vaccine;
Employee mental wellbeing;
President Biden’s proposed mandate:

employee reaction;
who will pay for the cost of testing for unvaccinated employees?
will supplies be available?

Condition of employment/Global considerations where the vaccine isn't widely available

About the Presenters

Ayanna Anis, MPS in Human Resources and Employment Relations

For over 20 years, Ayanna Anis has practiced Human Resources in a variety of industries including start-up organizations, technology, law, and professional services. She is recognized and respected as a leader committed to creating a diverse and inclusive culture of integrity, leadership, and accountability. Ayanna is currently a Director of Human Resources at Netflix Inc. based in Los Angeles. Ayanna earned a Master’s Degree in Human Resources and Employment Relations (HRER) from Penn State in 2011. She is a former Penn State Alumni Association Atlanta Chapter Board Member as well as a former Penn State African American Alumni Organization of Atlanta Board Member.

Bunny Comilla, MPS in Human Resources and Employment Relations

Alla Marie “Bunny” Comilla has over 25 years of Human Resources experience in areas such as labor laws and legal compliance, benefits and compensation, recruitment and staffing, handbook and policy development, and HR administration. Currently Bunny is Associate Vice President, Human Resources at Zippo Manufacturing Company and Northern Lights Enterprises, Inc.

David Needham, MPS in Human Resources and Employment Relations

David Needham has more than 20 years of HR experience starting in the public sector where he spent 16 years working in Federal, State, and Local government in numerous positions including Director of Human Resources and Labor Relations. He transitioned into the private sector working for JetBlue Airways focusing on Labor and Employee Relations and Substance Testing Programs. He obtained his MPS in Human Resources and Employment Relations from Penn State in 2017. Currently, David is the Sr. HR Manager Northeast at Delta Air Lines leading the team that supports JFK and LaGuardia Airports in New York, Boston Logan Airport, and Cincinnati Airport while also pursuing his Doctorate in Organizational Change and Leadership.

November 8, 2021