SEMINAR: An Employers Forum – New Strategies – New Directions
Six Topics for Your Business

WHEN: Mar 29, 2011

LOCATION: Chamber Conference Room, 446 Main St., Worcester

TIME: 7:30 am registration, 8 – 10 am program

COST: $25 Members, $35 Non-Members

“Social Networking Sites: A Double-Edged Sword for Employers.”

Among the topics to be discussed include: why your company needs a social media use policy; the risks of accessing social networking sites to make hiring decisions; how to deal with disparaging statements about your company made by employees on their social media sites; the legal ramifications of “friending” between superiors and subordinates, and more!

Presented by: Joseph Bartulis, Esq. – Fletcher, Tilton & Whipple

Joe is a partner at the Worcester-Framingham-Hyannis law firm of Fletcher, Tilton & Whipple. He is Chairperson of the Firm’s Labor and Employment Law Practice Group. He is also a member of the Firm’s Business & Corporate Law Practice Group. For nearly twenty years, he has advised employers of all sizes and industries on all aspects of the employer-employee relationship. Mr. Bartulis is a graduate of Boston College Law School and earned his B.B.A., magna cum laude, from Baylor University.

Can LinkedIn Solve Your Staffing Problems?

LinkedIn is no doubt a great resource for building professional relationships, making important connections, and getting in touch with the right people to help you grow your business.
The social networking site also has another important use: RECRUITING.
LinkedIn’s potential as a hiring network is growing with every new feature and service the site offers. It can now make your hiring process faster and more efficient, and it offers tools in all budget ranges. Whether you want to direct messages to potential new hires at a cost or indirectly advertise that you’re hiring for free, there are ways to take advantage of LinkedIn’s recruiting capabilities.

Presented by: Nancy Dube – Dube Consulting

Nancy is the Principal of Dube Consulting, a Worcester-based, Human Resource Consulting firm providing HR solutions to Small Businesses. Nancy brings many years of experience as an HR Manager, Recruiter and Business Partner to the Community. Nancy is known for her work with compliance, employee handbooks, staffing, and extensive networking. Nancy holds a degree in Business from Becker College has completed the Society of Human Resource Management program at Assumption College and holds an OSHA certification from the Human Resource Council. Nancy has been using LinkedIn for several years and will show you how put it to use for you, and get creative with the power of social networking to help you find your next great employee. You will walk away with simple tips which you can begin to implement right away.

Business Perspectives on Healthcare Reform and Economic Crisis

Review Federal Government’s position on Healthcare Reform and address success and lessons with MAHCR. Discuss Private Sector Initiatives. Develop a Competitive Health & Welfare Plan involves the need, process, and approach. Identify technology solutions and provide tips and strategies to implement. Present case studies and closing remarks.

Presented by: Todd McDonald – Aisling Partners

Todd McDonald is the President of Aisling Partners Insurance Brokerage, LLC, an independent resource in the health and welfare marketplace. His specialty is business consulting in the area of employee benefits. Todd’s goal is to provide the most comprehensive benefits program by customizing the products and solutions to fit the needs of his corporate clients and their employees. Todd is a graduate of Purdue University and holds a Masters Degree from Clark University. He is currently pursuing the CLU/ChFC designations.

New Employment Verification Eligibility Guide for Employers

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued a new handbook (effective January 5, 2011) with new information to assist employers in properly completing the Form I-9 for each newly hired employee.

Employers must verify the employment eligibility and review document(s) provided by an employee to determine whether the supporting document(s) appear to be genuine. It is crucial to ensure that all Form I-9s are completed and in compliance. Whether intentional or not, penalties for failure to comply with the employment verification requirements range from $100 to $1,100 per violation. Monetary penalties for knowingly hiring and continuing the employment of unauthorized workers range from $375 to $16,000 per violation.

Specific Examples of Handbook Changes

A new section about “Interruptions of Employment” (e.g. leaves of absence), events which may necessitate completion of a new Form I-9.
The provision that Section 2 of the form must be completed by the third day after hire (e.g. by Friday following a Tuesday hire).
Elaboration of “Temporary Employment Authorization” to address situations, such as H-1B and H-2B visas, exchange visitors and students, and extended stays.
Description about recordkeeping requirements after an employee’s termination of employment.

General Compliance Reminders and Tips

File I-9 forms separately between current employees and terminated employees and separately from employee personnel files.
Avoid accepting supporting documents with expired expiration dates.
Create a system to identify work authorization documents approaching their expiration dates.
Conduct regular audits to ensure compliance with Form I-9 requirements.

U.S. Customs Immigration Enforcement (ICE) has been aggressively ramping up its resources to handle an expected increase in the number of Form I-9 audits of businesses of all sizes. Prepare early, and stay vigilant in your employer efforts to achieve and demonstrate your company’s compliance.

Presented by: Brendan Hester – ePay Business Solutions

Brendan Hester is the founder and President of ePay Business Solutions. Through a solutions based approach, Brendan has established credibility in the Payroll Industry with over 18 years experience in helping businesses.

ePay Business Solutions, headquartered in Auburn, MA is a group of industry leaders with over 30 years of Payroll/HR experience. With our solutions based approach, ePay provides client companies with products and services that best fit their corporate needs. Through a variety of offerings that include payroll, HR, and time & attendance, ePay implements core services and solutions for local, regional and national companies.

Employee On-Boarding

As an employer, you have one opportunity to make a positive first impression with a new employee. An “employee on-boarding program” is key to helping new employees get up to speed quickly and effectively contribute in their new role. Learn about the important factors and components to implementing an effective employee on-boarding program for your company.

Presented by:Shelley Dropkin – Dropkin Consulting

Shelley is an independent human resource consultant with over 20 years of experience building effective business solutions through strategic planning, executive and management consulting, organizational development and performance coaching. She has designed and implemented successful HR solutions for firms of all sizes in numerous industries including: medical device, life science, high tech, environmental, manufacturing, education, elder service and employment industries. Shelley holds a Masters Degree from Northeastern University and is a Certified Corporate Business Coach from Corporate Coach University.

Cash: How do you get it and keep it?

Develop a strategic business plan, build value in your company, make 6-12 month cash flow projections a priority, strengthen banking relationships, hire and retain outstanding employees, establish sufficient internal controls and processes to protect the assets of your business, spend time and resources to understand the needs and concerns of your customers, understand and measure key drivers of your business, understand your balance sheet, 8 simple steps to fix cash flow problems, delegate/outsource administrative tasks.

Presented by: Leo Casey – B2B CFO

Leo’s 36 years of broad based financial, operational and general management experience in private and public multinational company roles such as President and CEO, CFO, COO, EVP of Finance & Operations and Controller gives him the expertise to solve operational problems in a decisive, energetic and effective manner, working hands-on with business owners, members of their staffs or external partners.

Brown Bag Networking Group

Reuben Hoar Library, 41 Shattuack Street Littleton, MA – Couper Room

Thursday, March 24TH. Open networking 2-2:30 PM and Presentation 2:30-4:00 PM

Networking with LinkedIn

Make your LinkedIn account produce results. Learn how to effectively use LinkedIn for building business relationships, job hunting, and generating leads. This workshop will explain how to use LinkedIn by covering the following topics:

It will include:
• Customizing your account & settings
• How to setup a profile and make an impression
• How to make connections with people
• What to post, where, when & how often to gain greater visibility
• Job search techniques

Networking – Ever so powerful! Learn tips to help you grow your network find out who can help you leverage your next job. Take away ideas, new connections, and more…

Contact Nancy@dubeconsulting.com or cfilipe@mvlc.org