A Note from our President, Lynn Ward
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Over the past few months, every single business has faced challenges big and small in the face of COVID-19. It's safe to say that one of the industries facing the biggest challenges were our friends on the front lines in the world of health care.
Annually, the Waterbury Regional Chamber recognizes business professionals who demonstrate advocacy, organizational excellence, leadership and selflessness throughout the health care community. This year is no different. We are thrilled to be presenting our
Awards Ceremony virtually on August 3rd
and look forward to recognizing many who support our healthcare community every day.
We are looking forward to hearing from Keynote Speaker
Dr. Peter Hotez
of Baylor University, an internationally known and respected vaccine expert and researcher.
Award categories will include
Leadership Award, Unsung Hero Award, Award for Organizational Excellence and the Health Advocate Award
. We invite you to nominate deserving professionals in the healthcare industry by
filling out the nomination form
or utilizing our
new video nomination process
!
If your company is interested in being promoted in conjunction with this exciting event, please click here to view our
sponsorship opportunities
.
As we have all worked to adapt to a "new normal" during this challenging time, I want to thank you for your continued words of encouragement, feedback, patience, and willingness to try new things with us. So much has been changing so quickly, and you have continued to explore and grow with us as we find the best ways to serve you during this time.
Our staff
is always available via phone and email to answer your questions and offer support. Please don't hesitate to connect with us at (203) 757-0701.
Stay Safe and Be Well,
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In This Issue:
- President's Note
- Newsletter Sponsor Post University
- HR Corner by Carmody, Torrance Sandak & Hennessey LLP
- Welcome New Members
- Upcoming Virtual Events
- Thank you to our Event Supporters
- Leadership Greater Waterbury Graduation
- Promote Your Business on Social Media
- Hiring/Training Programs
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Protect Your Staff and Give Back to the Chamber!
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A Message From Newsletter Sponsor,
Post University
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6 Reasons Adult Learners are Going Back to School
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According to the education firm EAB, a research organization,
38 percent of undergraduates are considered adult learners
—i.e. older than 25. This number of adult undergraduates is projected to grow 21 percent by 2022. Adults going back to college to add to their existing degrees or finish degrees they once started is becoming increasingly common. With flexible coursework opportunities, including online education, and new technologies that many adult learners want to learn, the opportunities are endless.
While each individual has his or her own reasons for wanting to go back to school, there are some that seem to be common, including these six.
Increase Your Earning Potential
Everyone wants to earn more money, right? Well, adults going back to school can increase their earning potential substantially. Many people find they can move beyond their current positions into managerial positions or other roles of leadership with additional training, and that type of move usually comes with additional income.
Start a New Career Path
Many adults find that, after a decade of two in their current line of work, they just don’t love it anymore, if they ever did. They may find that their passions lie elsewhere, but they need additional training to launch their new career choice. Going back to school can open the door to new career paths.
You Didn’t Go to School When You Were Younger
Not everyone graduates from high school and immediately heads to college. Sometimes older learners are not adults returning to college, but rather adults starting college for the first time. There is no shame in starting your degree in your 30s or 40s, because life and life’s circumstances change. If you have the opportunity now to pursue what you couldn’t in your 20s, go ahead and pursue it.
You Need to Finish Your Degree
Though college completion rates are up, as many as
six out of 10 students who start a college degree program
will not have their degree in hand within six years, according to NPR. Some find the financial burden too high, while others end up starting families and getting caught up in the demands of early parenting. If you are among the millions who start college and never finish, then you may have the opportunity to complete your training now.
Your Skill Set Needs Updating
Maybe you have found that your current skill set is no longer sufficient for the needs of your job. This often happens when technology changes. Shifting to new technology can make it difficult for you to complete your work as you once did. Adults going back to school have the opportunity to learn new skills that can translate into better work opportunities.
You’re Thinking of Becoming an Entrepreneur
After many years of working in your business, perhaps you have discovered that you truly love it and want to branch out on your own. Starting your own business can be rewarding and lucrative, but do you know what it takes to run a successful company?
Being skilled in what you do is an important part of launching your own business, but you’ll also need to understand the ins and outs of running a successful business. Sometimes, adults going back to college are doing so to gain the business training they need to start. With classes in business leadership, management or the nuts and bolts of how to launch a company, you’ll learn what it takes to put your existing skills to work in a successful and growing business.
Adults going back to college have a number of reasons for pursuing their degrees. From gaining skills and business knowledge to increasing your earning potential and finally completing that neglected degree program, your reasons are highly personal. At Post University, adults have options to make their degrees possible.
If you’ve been toying with the idea of going back to school, now is an excellent time to invest in your education, and
Post University
is here to help.
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HR C
orner: Are You Ready to Re-Open?
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This HR Corner is Brought to y
ou by Carmody Torrance Sandak & Hennessey LLP.
Written by: Alan H. Bowie, Jr., associate in Carmody’s Business Services and Litigation Groups and practices primarily in the area of Labor and Employment.
Employers reopening beginning May 2020 should be aware of the following guidelines, requirements, legal obligations and best practices.
What are the guidelines?
Employers must communicate a written plan for reopening that articulates who is expected to work from home, a plan administrator, the number of visitors allowed, how shifts will be designed to minimize contact, a method for monitoring employee travel and how customers will be impacted.
Employers must also:
(1)
provide masks and require that employees cover their faces at work, unless exempt because of medical conditions;
(2)
ensure that no more than 50 percent of the workforce is present;
(3)
regularly clean and disinfect, including hiring a cleaning service if necessary;
(4)
allow employees who can work from home to do so, giving special consideration to high risk groups (e.g., employees over 65 and/or with medical conditions); and
(5)
eliminate social gatherings/hold meetings virtually.
Employers must also create a log to track employees accessing the premises and consider staggering shifts, utilizing nights and weekends, eliminating in-person meetings where possible, and restricting break room and cafeteria use.
Is training required?
Employees must be trained on how to log in upon arriving to work, proper disinfecting and use of cleaning products, visitor limitations, who to seek guidance from, how to perform a daily health check, what to do if experiencing symptoms and whistleblower protections.
What are the posting requirements?
Employers must post in a prominent place, or on the intranet, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”) notice of rights poster, 211 information for complaints, a social distancing policy, cleaning and disinfecting protocols, PPE requirements, a statement that individuals with symptoms cannot enter the premises, and the employer’s DECD Certification for reopening poster.
Must the premises be modified?
Employers must create discrete workplace zones, use partitions between employees where 6 feet of distance cannot be maintained, close non-essential amenities (e.g., break rooms), make doors one way, stagger desks to avoid close contact, increase ventilation (if possible), install visual social distancing markers and touchless appliances, and implement elevator/escalator protocols.
What steps can be taken to mitigate risks among employees?
Employers can require daily health checks of COVID-19 symptoms, require employees experiencing two or more symptoms to stay home and implement temperature checks. All results should be kept confidential and placed in a separate medical file if retained. Employers should uniformly screen employees and consider whether to pay employees for time spent waiting to be screened to avoid wage and hour claims.
What are other important considerations?
Employees will be hesitant to return to work for reasons such as lack of childcare, medical conditions, or general fears. Employees with childcare or medical issues may be eligible for protected leave or other legal protections under the FFRCA.
We are living in unprecedented times that will create workplace issues as employers return to normal operations. Employers must be flexible in their approach.
This information is for educational purposes only to provide general information and a general understanding of the law. It does not constitute legal advice and does not establish any attorney-client relationship.
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A warm welcome to our newest members!* We encourage you to connect with them soon and see where your next partnership can be.
Bouquets & Beyond Florals and Events
Bunny Village Child Development Center LLC
Global Tech Solutions
JC Smith Advisors
Joey's Army & Navy Store
Jumpstart Therapy & Fitness Network
LPG Wealth Management
Tamarin Health
*Joined 5/1/2020- 6/10/2020
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Ask Me Anything for Young Professionals
Tuesday, June 16
10:00 AM
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Virtual Business Meeting with US. Senator Chris Murphy
Wednesday, June 24
3:00 PM
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Telework Best Practices for Employers
Thursday, June 25
2:00 PM
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Thank You for Your Support
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Our sincere thanks go out to the following members who have supported our virtual event efforts over the past few months through attendance donations. We could not do what we do without your support. THANK YOU!
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Art McKellan,
Advocacy Services - The McKellan Group
Ann Baldwin,
Baldwin Communications
Mary Rosengrant-Chiappalone,
Biondi & Rosengrant, LLC
Bill Palomba,
Blasius Chevrolet Cadillac
Jennifer Zembruski,
Chase Collegiate School
Hedy Ayers, Eversource
Justin Golden,
Golden Technology Services
Michael Regan,
G.S. Regan Associates, Inc.
Molly Kellogg, Hubbard-Hall, Inc.
Chet Doheny,
We Do Life... Together, A Division of ICES, Inc.
David Rotatori, Ion Bank
Kathy Gannon,
Ivy Rehab Physical Therapy
Bob LaBonne Jr., LaBonne's Markets
Sheila Powers,
L.F. Powers Company, Inc.
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Margret Warner, Litchfield Bancorp
Dr. James Gatling,
New Opportunities, Inc.
Barbara Kalosky,
North East Transportation Co., Inc.
Armando Paolino,
Paolino Public Affairs Consulting, Inc.
Kojo Asante-Sakyi,
People's United Bank
Jack Birtwell, Porter Preston
Wayne Malicki, Salem Wood Shop
Corey Shaker, Shaker Auto Group
Dorinda Richetelli,
Spectrum Associates Market Research, Inc.
John McCormack,
State Farm Insurance
Amie Hanrahan, The Ivy at Watertown
Jack Traver, Traver IDC
Patrick Hayden,
UniMetal Surface Finishing LLC
Rick Laigle,
USA Hauling and Recycling
Lester Schindel, Waterbury Hospital
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Leadership Greater Waterbury Celebrates the Class of 2020
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Congratulations to the Class of 2020:
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Team Freedom
Roberto Espinal, Savings Bank of Danbury
Pilar Katrenya, Thomaston Savings Bank
Robert Labonne the third, Labonne’s Markets
John Leary, Webster Bank
Anabela Maia, Main Street Waterbury
WIP Squared
Carolyn Freer, University of Connecticut Waterbury
Diane Leary, Element Solutions Inc.
Joseph Perun, People’s United Bank
Angelo Piccolo, Ion Bank
Mary Yatcko, Post University
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Team Winger
William Herens, Ferrari’s Appliance
Brandon Monti, Post University, Malcolm Baldrige School of Business
Meghan Schaefer, Post University
FOCUS 2020
Amber Boroski, Easterseals
Barbara Debisschop, Webster Bank
Shannon Dillane, Ion Bank
Karen Mello, United Way of Greater Waterbury
Maryann Perugini, Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board
Megan Pienczykowski, Post University
Beverly Velez, Liberty Bank
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The Chamber is committed to keeping our members connected - digitally! We are using Zoom to hold digital networking meetings. Email Courtney at
cligi@waterburychamber.com
to get the details for the meetings below.
These dates and times don't work for you, but you're still interested in virtual networking?
Let Courtney know so she can reach out to you with more opportunities.
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Wake Up Your Business
Next Meeting: June 26th @ 8 AM
After that: July 10th @ 8 AM
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Young Professionals Business Connection Group
Next Meeting: June 18th @ Noon
After that: July 2nd @ Noon
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Promote Your Business on Social Media
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Is your business offering special takeout or curbside service during this time? The Chamber has created Facebook Group communities for you to promote these services! Restaurants/Food Service are welcome to post their offerings in the Waterbury Region Take-Out and Delivery Group. All other businesses are invited to post in the Waterbury Region Curbside Commerce Group. Post as often as you like, and invite your friends, family, and coworkers to join. Happy Posting!
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Hiring & Training Programs Available
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Do you need help finding qualified workers for your business? Could you use some financial assistance to offset the cost of hiring and training new workers, or training your existing workforce?
The Waterbury Regional Chamber is working with the Northwest Regional Workforce Investments Board to help businesses in Greater Waterbury learn more about the available hiring and training programs and whether they qualify for them. This includes providing information on posting jobs on the states CThires.com website, as well as information about Manufacturing Innovation Fund Incumbent Worker Training, the apprenticeship program, hiring veterans and on-the-job training programs.
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PLUS: Need a Job Now?
NeedAJobNow.usNLx.com
contains over 400,000 job openings and continues to grow daily. While many employers are downsizing their staff, others are significantly increasing their hiring efforts due to current demands. Through this initiative, DirectEmployers and National Association of State Workforce Agencies offers a way to bridge the gap between job supply and demand by offering an easy way for job seekers to gain access to current open positions and for employers to fill positions quickly and efficiently during these difficult times.
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RECEIVE OUR TEXT ALERTS!
Text "chamber" to (203) 496-4462 to receive a few updates or reminders from the Chamber. You can respond to any text and we will receive your response!
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