What We Loved at SHRM25

This year, SHRM National took place in San Diego, and we were fortunate enough to be right there, soaking in the sun and the latest in HR. Our team enjoys attending events for HR professionals like SHRM so we can catch up with current clients, continue our never-ending hunt for ways to improve user experience, and provide new and meaningful resources for our clients. It was great to learn more about what is expected from HR in 2025 and how we can evolve to keep up with their needs. 

The variety of topics covered this year made one thing very clear: a lot is expected from HR, like dealing with the most difficult employment situations or helping keep compliance on track. HR is expected to wear many hats, from therapist and disciplinarian to teacher and compliance expert – and the list seems to keep on growing. There were a lot of great conversations to take in, but a few things really stood out this year. If you didn’t have the chance to attend, below are a few of our favorite takeaways we wanted to share with you. 

Highlighting mental health—for HR, too 

Focusing on employee mental health is part of the job, but HR often receives little attention in this area. HR deals with a lot of stressful situations involving employees and candidates that can take a toll on mental health. Starting with something we loved to see more than anything else, mental health awareness and self-care were everywhere for HR professionals at SHRM25. Rooms for reflection and quiet meditation, wellness, and low sensory experience were all readily available throughout the event. Of course, employee mental health was a common topic of discussion, too, but what stood out is that the focus branched out far beyond general wellness. 

Mental health equity 

Mental health was a prevalent topic relating to employee health initiatives. It’s clear that HR understands that building a positive and healthy culture leads to increased happiness, longer tenure, and better work from employees from all walks of life.  

Unique and deeper conversations on the topic took multiple forms, from mental health awareness to conversations about inclusivity to new programs to help employees. In addition to supporting general mental health, specific subtopics covered and solutions presented included: 

• Ways to help meaningfully support working parents, other caregivers, and pet parents. 

• Learning how to better understand and support neurodivergent employees. 

• Solutions that leverage AI to provide mental health support in an equitable and approachable way. 

Compliance in an ever-changing landscape

A lot is going on in employment law. Many state regulations have affected hiring this year, like Ban the Address ordinances and new artificial intelligence regulations for businesses. Shifts at the federal level have also impacted employers nationwide. For example, there have been recent updates to Form I-9 and E-Verify, as well as the CFPB’s final rule to remove medical bills from U.S. credit reports. To keep up year round, Verified Credentials covers the latest screening-related changes each month. 

Law isn’t the only major change HR has seen in 2025 so far, though. Shrinking workforces and growing HR demands are leading towards a need for change in real time. Of course, HR is no stranger to adapting, but here are some ways we saw them tackling change at SHRM25. 

The constant evolution of HR

Flexibility is a skill that has always been a requirement for HR professionals, so it was great to see a strong focus on how HR is adapting today. One session that stood out was the Managing Change seminar, which provided an immersive experience for attendees. Over two days, participants engaged in realistic simulations of change initiatives through group discussions and real-world case studies. A hands-on approach with additional virtual learning opportunities, including live Zoom sessions, allowed participants to apply what they learned in a practical setting. 

Our time at SHRM25 gave us more insights on the challenges HR departments experience daily and how they navigate those challenges. The emphasis on supporting solo HR practitioners highlighted a growing recognition of the unique challenges they face, indicating a shift towards more tailored resources and strategies. As organizations demand more from their HR teams, the ability to manage projects effectively is becoming essential for driving meaningful change and organizational success. A focus on project management emphasized a need for HR to adopt a more strategic, results-driven approach that is meaningful and engages employees. The solution to these challenges repeatedly echoed embracing new technology. 

Meaningful engagement in HR with tech

Adopting automation and AI technology in HR is probably not a surprising inclusion, but hear us out. Human intervention is still necessary, and automation is not a replacement tool; it's an assistant that helps HR focus on what is important and meet the industry's growing demands. Intuitive, automated, and artificial intelligence technology is evolving beyond speed and convenience at the cost of quality or meaningful engagement.  

As HR business technology software evolves, the stigma that automation only creates errors and emotional distance is being challenged. SHRM25 proved that technology can help increase engagement and equity through consistency, allowing HR to focus on more meaningful interactions. Topics on AI, technology, and automation revolved around maximizing leadership potential, leveraging tech to create a more positive employee experience, and prioritizing mobile-friendly technology.  

If you didn’t get to attend SHRM25, we hope to see you next year in Orlando. Until then, follow Verified Credentials on LinkedIn to learn where else you can find our team. 

About Verified Credentials and our commitment to supporting HR professionals

Our solutions are tailored to help you hire any role across industries. We offer custom screening packages that you and hiring managers can deploy with just a few clicks, to maintain consistent and equitable hiring practices. Our seamless platform integrations and proprietary platform for employers revolve around honest feedback based on what our customers need and want to see throughout the screening process. 

With seamless and intuitive integrations to your current HR platform, 100% U.S.-based operations and support, and a full suite of background checks and verifications, Verified Credentials has remained a trusted screening partner to thousands of organizations for over four decades. Learn what sets Verified Credentials apart from the standard background screening providers - Chat with us.