Quick Hits Newsletter from ERC
Weekly HR News, Legal Updates, and Events from ERC
July 29, 2010 | Issue 421
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ERC Celebrates 90th Anniversary

ERC Celebrates 90th Anniversary

July marks the 90th Anniversary of ERC. Established in 1920 as the American Plan Association of Cleveland, ERC is now one of the largest professional organizations in the Midwest. ERC assists organizations with the attraction, retention and motivation of great employees. ERC provides organizations of various sizes and industries with HR and Workplace Programs and Practices, Training, Health Insurance, Consulting and numerous cost savings opportunities. Continue Reading >>

Read More: "The Evolution of ERC and HR" | The History of ERC | In 1920...

In This Issue...
  • Unemployment Extended
  • Ruling on I-9 E-Signature/Storage
  • Executive Comp. Reform Passed
  • Video: Trends in Outplacement
Research
  • Health Care Reform Survey
  • Wage/Salary Adjustment Survey
  • Employee Relations Survey
Training
  • Emerging Leaders Series
  • Supervisory Series this Fall
  • Communicating Effectively

Unemployment Extended, COBRA Premium Reduction Not Extended

The Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2010 signed by the President on July 22, 2010 extends unemployment until November 27, 2010, but individuals will not be able to extend benefits beyond 99 weeks. The act, however, did not extend the COBRA premium reduction. Continue Reading >>

Final Rule Passed on the Electronic Signature and Storage of the I-9 Form

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a final rule on the electronic signature and storage of the Form I-9 late last week. The final rule permits employers to complete, sign, scan, and store the I-9 Form electronically as long as certain performance standards for the filing system are met. For a full list of the standards and requirements associated with storing the I-9 form electronically, please click here...

Executive Compensation Reform Passed

On July 21, 2010, President Obama signed into law the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. This legislation, which affects executive compensation and corporate governance, will impact executive pay processes at many public companies. Specifically, the act gives shareholders of public companies the right to vote on the top five executive officers’ (CEO, CFO, and three other highest paid officers) compensation at least every three years and takes effect in 2011.

Video: Current Trends in Outplacement

Pattie Wagoner, President of CareerCurve, talks about the evolution of outplacement, trends in the job market, and how CareerCurve uses coaching support during the job search. Watch Video >>

Watch Video

CALENDAR

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20% Off of Your Phone Order of $150 or more
Click here to download coupon >>

Research

Short Health Care Reform Issues Survey - Participate by this Friday

The following very short survey addresses issues related to health care reform, specifically the new rules released regarding grandfathered plans, but also other aspects of reform including early retiree reinsurance, nursing mothers, and expanded dependent health coverage. Please complete this survey by this Friday, July 30th. Click here to participate >>

2010-2011 ERC Wage & Salary Adjustment Survey

This survey collects data regarding actual wage and salary increases from 2009-2010 as well as projected wage and salary increases for 2010-2011 among Northeast Ohio employers. The deadline to participate in this survey is August 13th.

Click here to participate >>

Employee Relations Survey - Participate by this Friday

ERC is conducting a survey on employee relations practices among Northeast Ohio employers, specifically on issues related to employee handbooks and policies; employee feedback, suggestions, and communication; and retention. The deadline to participate in this survey is Friday, July 30th. This survey is co-sponsored by ERC's Preferred Partner, Millisor + Nobil.

Click here to participate >>

SURVEY DEADLINES
  • ERC/NOCHE Recent Graduate Compensation & Practices Survey
    DEADLINE EXTENDED - THIS FRIDAY
    Participate Now >>

  • Employee Relations Survey
    Deadline - THIS FRIDAY
    Participate Now >>

  • 2010-2011 ERC Wage & Salary Adjustment Survey
    Deadline - Friday, August 13
    Participate Now >>

ERC/Smart Business Workplace Practices Survey
Results Published

Thank you to the organizations that participated in our 2010 ERC/Smart Business Workplace Practices Survey, which reports local trends on benefits, compensation, recruiting, hiring, communication, training, development, and safety practices. Download the full report >>

Training

Emerging Leaders Series

Do your employees have the skills and knowledge needed to best represent your organization? Let ERC help the Emerging Leaders in your company learn the tools to present themselves more effectively and enhance their contribution to the organization. Click here to register >>

ERC's Supervisory Series Kicking Off this Fall

ERC's fall Supervisory Series is kicking off at the end of August with updated curriculum and new activities! Participants will not only learn fresh insights and ideas and practice their skills within an energizing, interactive, and supportive environment, but will also have access to a variety of job aids and resources to help them implement their new competencies in the workplace. More Info >>

Communicating Effectively Workshop

Join ERC on August 18 for the Communicating Effectively Workshop, which introduces the concept of how to communicate with credibility and confidence, handle difficult people and how to take positive steps to turning problem relationships around. Individuals who attend this workshop will leave armed with powerful tools, critical for success in today’s workplace. Click here to register today >>

10 Things Every Supervisor Should Know
AROUND TOWN

Form 5500 Due July 31st

The initial due date of the Form 5500 for calendar year end benefit plans is July 31, 2010, which is mere days away. Any benefit plan whose Form 5500 and/or annual audit is not completed by the plan sponsor by July 31st can file for an extension, which extends the due date to October 15th. 

The extension process remains the same as it has been in the past, however, there are some major changes to the actual filing of the Form 5500, namely that all Form 5500 filings must now be submitted electronically - paper filings will no longer be accepted. To read about the rest of these changes click here.

Information provided courtesy of the Employee Benefit Plan Audit Group at Skoda Minotti, an ERC Preferred Partner. For questions regarding Form 5500 preparation contact Dani Gisondo at 440/449-6800.

Jobs 2010 - Ideas for Northeast Ohio Jobs

You spoke and we listened. We've compiled an eBook full of ideas on how to create jobs in Northeast Ohio, and we're sharing it with you! Click here to download the free eBook >>

ERC Around Town

Check out the following events that ERC will be presenting at:

  • Lakeland Entrepreneurship Academy, August 8 - Chris Powers - Time Management
  • Ohio SHRM, September 15 - Susan Pyles - "HR Metrics"
  • Lakeland Entrepreneurship Academy, September 29 - Tony Tomanek - Customer Service

OSHA Update and Recordkeeping Seminar

Join First Energy Beta Laboratory on August 27th at their Mayfield Village location as they host Cleveland OSHA Area Office Director, Rob Medlock, for an OSHA Update and Recordkeeping Seminar. Click here for more information >>

6700 Beta Drive, Suite 300 | Mayfield Village, OH 44143
440/684-9700 | www.ercnet.org | hrhelp@ercnet.org
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