Regulatory Update: Navigating the Changes to New Overtime Rules

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On May 18, 2016, the federal government announced changes to the existing overtime regulation. This change will impact employees who are eligible for overtime pay, and may require businesses to make changes in how they pay or schedule certain employees. This change is expected to impact 84,000 workers in Massachusetts.

The information below is intended to help you better understand these changes. Because this is such an important issue, the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a workshop on this topic. For more information on that workshop, click here, or read more below.

Understanding the change

Under the new regulation by the United States Department of Labor, most salaried workers earning up to $47,476 a year must receive time-and-a-half overtime pay when they work more than 40 hours during a week. The previous salary threshold for overtime pay was $23,660.  The changes are expected to either see employees’ salaries rise above the new threshold, or workers below the new threshold working fewer hours during the week.

Who is entitled to overtime?

Employees who are are entitled to overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act have traditionally been considered non-exempt employees. Employers must pay these workers overtime pay when they work more than 40 hours in a week. There are some exemptions to the Fair Labor Standards Act that classifies workers as exempt employees. These employees are administrative, executive, professionals, or outside sales staff. These employees are exempt from required overtime pay.

Exempt status can usually be determined by testing whether or not an employee spends most of their time in a decision making role. Because this test is open to interpretation, the salary threshold is another standard in determining overtime eligibility. So even employees who are legitimately in management positions or in decision making roles are still eligible for overtime pay if their salary is below $47,476 – under the most recent rule change. Teachers, doctors and outside sales representatives continue to be exempt from overtime pay requirements.

What’s next?

The new regulation will go into effect on December 1, 2016. Part of the new regulation calls for the overtime salary threshold to be updated every three years to keep up with inflation. At this point, it is recommended that employers assess their organizations, especially exempt employees who earn less than $47,476. There are several considerations that can be made like reclassifying workers, shifting duties or responsibilities, and increasing pay to meet the threshold.

 Possible Congressional Response

There are several potential actions Congress may take to block the new regulations, which include 1) adopting a resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act; 2) enacting specific legislation, such as the Protecting Workplace Advancement and Opportunity Act (S. 2707 and H.R. 4773), which would overturn the proposed rule; or 3) attaching a rider to an appropriations bill to block enforcement of the rule for a year. However, any action by Congress to overturn the new regulatory changes are unlikely to be successful since it is expected that the President would veto any of these measures and it doubtful that there are sufficient votes (two-thirds in both the House and Senate) to override any Presidential Veto.

Chamber Workshop on New Regulations

In an effort to help members better understand the impact of the new overtime rules and to help prepare for them, the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce is hosting a special edition of its HR Council on Wednesday, June 15th from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 pm Great Wolf Lodge, 150 Great Wolf Drive, Fitchburg MA. Employment attorney Corey F. Higgins of Mirick O’Connell will discuss the new overtime rules. The cost is $20 for members and $30 for non-members. To register, please click here or contact the Chamber at 978-353-7600 ext. 235.

Johnny Appleseed Visitor Center Unveils New Renovations

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20160505_164247The Johnny Appleseed Visitors’ Center recently hosted a business after hours through the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce to highlight to the community the work of the center and to unveil recently completed renovations.  The event was attended by local business and community leaders and included a special ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the improvements. It was a great opportunity to let local business and community leaders see the importance of the visitors’ center as a hub for tourist information for North Central Massachusetts. The renovations i ncluded new brochure racks, new shelving and displays, upgraded security systems, a new POS system for the gift shop, and renovations to the bathrooms. The primary goal of the renovations was to better showcase North Central Massachusetts as well as to improve the visitor experience for the hundreds of people who come through the door every day.

The Johnny Appleseed Visitor Center, considered by many the gateway to North Central Massachusetts, opened in 1996 as a way to welcome people traveling through the region and give them a place to stop, stretch their legs, and learn more about the twenty-six communities in North Central Massachusetts and what they have to offer for visitors and families.  Open 360 days a year from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., the visitors’ center greets people from the local community as well as those traveling down Route 2 to their destination and those who are vacationing locally with us.

“It’s important to us that everyone who walks through the visitors’ center doors feels welcomed” said Diane Burnette, Visitor Center Manager for the Johnny Appleseed Trail Association. “Whether we are a daily stop for you, or you are coming into the area for the first time, you should have a positive experience here at the Johnny Appleseed Visitors’ Center.”

The center features a gift shop that carries many local products including jams, jellies, honey, maple syrup, fudge, chocolates, sparkling cider and that local icon of American kitsch – the plastic flamingo!  Visitors to the center can also find a wide selection of books highlighting the history of the 20160505_164255region, plus good-quality logo merchandise and souvenir items.

Over 165,000 people walk through the visitor center doors every year. Some come in for a pit stop on their route, some for directions to a local destination or information on local attractions, and some for the local products from across the region that are sold in the gift shop.  One thing that every single visitor receives is a welcoming feeling and a nice “hello” and “have a great day’ as they enter and leave again.

The Johnny Appleseed Visitor Center is open daily.  Normal business hours are 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.  The Johnny Appleseed Visitor Center is located at 1000 Rte. 2 Westbound, between exit 34 & 35, in Lancaster, MA.  For more information, please call 978-534-2829 or visit www.visitnorthcentral.com.

Chamber Hosts Regional Bus Tour to Promote Manufacturing

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IMG_3026The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce and its economic development affiliate the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation hosted a special manufacturing bus tour on Tuesday, April 26th for education and community leaders as part of their efforts to promote careers in manufacturing and highlight the importance of manufacturing to North Central Massachusetts.

Attendees on the tour, which also included legislators, economic development officials and members of the media, visited several manufacturing companies where they were able to get an insider’s look at how select manufacturers operate as well as learn about the growing employment opportunities in manufacturing and the necessary skill-sets needed.

The manufacturing bus tour, part of the Chamber’s “Amp It Up!” initiative, included stops at Rocheleau Tool & Die, a family owned and operated business established in 1938 in Fitchburg that specializes in the manufacture of extrusion blow molding machinery, blow molds and related automation equipment; Burkhart-Phelan, Inc., a company founded in 1982 that specializes in the precision manufacturing of high quality flutes and piccolos; Nypro, a world-class leader in manufacturing precision plastic products for customers in the healthcare, packaging and consumer electronics industries; and Mount Wachusett Community College’s Devens Manufacturing Center which offers technical training in a number of different areas including advanced manufacturing with an emphasis on automation and robotics and quality. The tour also included a lunch presentation and discussion by Shailah Stewart of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education on ways that schools and communities can collaborate with employers.

North Central Massachusetts boasts the largest concentration of manufacturing in the state. Fully one-third of all private wages paid in the region are from manufacturing jobs. Companies range from the world class plastics industry cluster of more than 140 companies to pharmaceuticals to photonics and paper, as well as biomedical devices.

Manufacturers today are some of the most well-paid, highly trained and in demand employees in the workforce, working on advanced equipment and technology. However, many manufacturers have been challenged recruiting the workers they need. Despite the high wage potential and increasing employer demand, there is both a need for more young workers and a skills gap among an existing and a transitioning workforce.

The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce and the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation remain com
mitted to supporting and growing this critical sector of the region’s economy. The organizations are working with partners to address this skills gap, retain the region’s young talent, and introduce them to the high-tech, high-skilled, and high-paying careers of the modern manufacturing industry. The Chamber believes that building successful education partnerships between businesses and the region’s schools is critical to collective, on-going efforts.

The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce wishes to thank and acknowledge the support and assistance of the following partners whoIMG_3055 helped make the event possible: MassDevelopment; North Central Massachusetts Workforce Investment Board; Rocheleau Tool & Die; Burkart-Phelan, Inc.; Nypro, A Jabil Company; Mount Wachusett Community College; Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education; and Fitchburg Access Television (FATV).

The purpose of the “AMP it up!” initiative is to leverage new and existing resources to continue ongoing efforts to reach career counselors, community organizations, youth-serving organizations, educators, and most importantly students throughout North Central Massachusetts. The Chamber’s “Amp It Up!” initiative is funded in part through a matching grant from MassDevelopment. Other partners include Fitchburg State University, Mt. Wachusett Community College and school systems throughout the region. Ongoing efforts to promote manufacturing careers have also included engaging the schools and offering career exploration activities to students, hosting student tours, participating in career day activities and promoting manufacturing via a targeted social media campaign.

For more information on the manufacturing bus tour or the “Amp It Up!” Initiative, please contact the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce at (978) 353-7600.

 

Office of Safety’s Workplace Safety Training & Education Grant Program

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The Department of Industrial Accident’s Office of Safety has released the FY17 Workplace Safety Training & Education Grant Program Application for submission by July 1, 2016.

The objective of this program is to promote safe and healthy conditions in the workplace by awarding state funds to eligible applicants who submit responses designed to provide and improve safety education and training in Occupational Safety and Health to employers/employees within the Commonwealth covered by the Massachusetts Workers’ Compensation Law (M.G.L. Chapter 152). Complete instructions, will be detailed in the FY17 Safety Training Grant Application.
Prepare and submit your grant application as outlined in the instructions. Incomplete applications cannot be processed unless all requested documents are included.

For your convenience, we have created the grant application and contractual documents as writable PDF files. The grant application and supporting documents as outlined in the check off summary must be submitted electronically as one document. Multiple attachments and zip files cannot be accepted.

FY17 SAFETY GRANT APPLICATION

FY17 CONTRACTUAL DOCUMENTS

JOHN DOE CONTRACTUAL DOCUMENTS

JOHN DOE SAFETY GRANT APPLICATION_CONTRACTUAL DOCUMENTS

Please remember to apply for and submit a copy of your Department of Revenue (DOR) Certificate of Good Standing with your application and contractual documents. A Certificate of Good Standing less than 6 months old must be provided at the time of submission. The fastest and easiest way to obtain a Certificate is online through MassTaxConnect https://mtc.dor.state.ma.us/mtc

Applicants must be in full compliance with all obligations to the Department of Unemployment Assistance, Department of Industrial Accidents, and any other obligations to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Applicants found to be non-compliant will be removed from consideration until all compliance issues have been resolved.

Prepare and submit original contractual documents as outlined in the instructions. ALL signatures and dates must be original and in ink. Stamps will not be accepted.

If you have questions or need assistance with grant application only, please contact Deven Awalt 617-727-4900 ext. 7404 or Maria Pesantes at 617-727-4900 ext. 7376. You may also refer all questions to safety@dia.state.ma.us

If you have questions or need assistant with the contractual documents only, please contact Diane Lentini at 617-626-5913 or by emailing diane.lentini@massmail.state.ma.us

JEFF ARDIS SELECTED FOR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT POSITION

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Jeff Ardis photo

(North Central, MA) – The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the addition of Jeff Ardis to its professional staff as Membership Services & Business Development Manager.

In this position, Mr. Ardis will be responsible for managing the Chamber’s membership services.  His mission will be to raise the Chamber’s visibility and educate businesses in the region about the Chamber’s service offerings, promoting the benefits of membership and ensuring that current members enjoy maximum value for their investment.

“We are excited to have Jeff join our team and help lead our member relations efforts,” said Roy M. Nascimento, President & CEO. “His experience will be a tremendous resource for our members and a great help in our work to advance the North Central Massachusetts economy.”

Ardis brings to the Chamber a broad background in sales, marketing, and business development from his time with the LEGO Company, the government trade agencies of Australia and Northern Ireland, the Connecticut Small Business Development Center (SBDC), and most recently the global logistics firm DHL Express. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from American University and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the Georgia State University.

His early goals will be to continue the success of the October campaign that welcomed more than 100 new members; build relationships with key players in the business community and local government; and find the best ways to help members grow their businesses through the Chamber’s resources. He will also help coordinate the Chamber’s insurance services.

Existing members or businesses interested in learning more about the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce can reach Ardis at (978) 353-7600 ext. 234 or via email at ardis@massweb.org.

Chamber submits testimony on economic development bill

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Approving a comprehensive economic development plan is vital to our state and region’s economy

Roy M. Nascimento, President & CEO and Patrick Lawlor, Public Affairs Manager for the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce attended the four hour hearing on April 5, 2016 of the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies to submit testimony on the state’s new economic development bill.

In his testimony, Nascimento stressed the importance of passing a final bill that emphasizes regional equity and greater investment in other parts of the state outside of Greater Boston. He called the Baker administration’s proposal a robust economic development bill, noting that the Chamber supports many of the items in the bill, especially the heavy emphasis on manufacturing – an industry that accounts for one in four jobs in North Central Massachusetts. However, he highlighted the need for more economic development resources devoted to the central and western part of the state so that these regions can achieve their true potential and share in the economic growth of Greater Boston. The testimony also highlighted the need for more support for small businesses and the need for more investment and support of the tourism industry, the third largest industry in the state. Nascimento also advocated for greater investments in high speed connectivity for residents and businesses in North Central Massachusetts.

Passing a comprehensive, economic development bill that supports the advancement of North Central Massachusetts is a top priority for the Chamber this legislative session. Click here to read the testimony. For more information about the Chamber’s advocacy on this issue, please contact Patrick Lawlor, Public Affairs Manager at Lawlor@massweb.org.

Chamber Leading Tour of Manufacturers for School Leaders

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WHEN: Tuesday, April 26, 2016, 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM

WHAT: The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce and the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation will be coordinating a tour of local manufacturers. The tour is aimed at connecting school superintendents and educators with advanced manufacturing as part of the Chamber’s effort to break down stigmas of careers in manufacturing. The goal of the tour will be to promote careers in manufacturing and provide insight for those leading educational programs and advising students on career decisions.

WHERE: Bus departs Chamber of Commerce, 860 South Street, Fitchburg, MA, 01420 at 8:00 AM.

Rocheleau Tool & Die, 117 Industrial Road, Fitchburg, MA 01420 at 8:30 AM

Burkhart-Phelan, Inc., 2 Shaker Road, Shirley, MA, 01464, at 10:00 AM

NYPRO, 112 Barnum Rd. Devens, MA 01434 at 11:15 AM

Mount Wachusett Community College, Devens Manufacturing Center, 1 Jackson Road, Devens, MA, 12:30 AM

WHO: Superintendents of Schools in North Central Massachusetts; Legislative Delegation of North Central Massachusetts; Economic Development and Business Leaders; Chamber of Commerce staff

All-Day Workshops Scheduled for Entrepreneurs in Athol, Ma

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The North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation, the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, and North Quabbin Community Coalition are holding two business workshops on May 10, 2016 aimed at assisting potential and existing entrepreneurs.

The free workshops are being held in cooperation with the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center (MSBDC), SCORE, Town of  Athol and NewVue Communities (formally Twin Cities CDC).

Both workshops will each run approximately two and a half hours and will be held at the North Quabbin Community Coalition, 251 Exchange St., Athol, MA, on Tuesday, May 10.

Session I: Fundamentals in Planning, Preparing, and Financing Your Business will run from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and will focus on evaluating and understanding the fundamentals of owning one’s own business.  Information on how to get started, where and how to get financing and the loan application process will be presented.  Registration begins at 8:00. Continental breakfast will be provided for all participants.  Presented by Roland Nutter, AdviCoach

Session II: Understanding the Purpose of Financial Statements and How They Can Help Determine the Health of Your Business will run from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and will focus on understanding a balance sheet, income statement and cash flow statement.  The workshop will also explain how a small business owner can anticipate financial needs in order to operate his/her business more efficiently.  Registration begins at 11:00. Lunch will be provided for all participants. Presented by Robert C. Alario, CPA

To register, please contact Sandie Cataldo at 978-353-7607 ext. 232 or Cataldo@massweb.org or register online at northcentralmass.com.

 The North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation (NCMDC) is a non-profit corporation with the mission of creating jobs and improving the economy of North Central Massachusetts. NCMDC is certified by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and the U.S. Department of the Treasury under the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Program. The NCMDC works in partnership with local banks, credit unions, chambers of commerce and area nonprofits to support emerging microenterprises, small businesses, and community projects with loans and business assistance.  Since 1996, the NCMDC has granted over $4,200,000 in loans to small businesses to help grow jobs and the economy in 26 communities in the North Central Massachusetts region.

 For more information about the NCMDC loan programs, please call 978-353-7607.

Chamber’s young professionals program to feature world renowned North Central business, Burkart-Phelan.

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The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the next edition of the “CEO Unplugged” series will feature Lillian Burkart, president of Burkart-Phelan, Inc on March 30, 2016. HYPE! (Helping Young Professional Emerge) was introduced in 2012 to support the growing young professionals’ community by connecting members socially and through personal and professional development programs, with the CEO Unplugged introduced in 2015.

The CEO Unplugged series gives young professionals access to local leaders for a chance to connect and learn about their journey to success. Attendees will have a chance to meet with a local CEO in their workplace to discuss professional development such as leadership values, entrepreneurship, investment in community and career paths. The program will run from 7:30 am to 9 am bi-monthly. Attendance is open to any young professionals within the Chamber membership. But, seats will be limited to no more than 20 people. The program is free, but pre-registration is required.

Burkart-Phelan, Inc. is a world renowned flute and piccolo manufacturer with more than 30 years of experience. Each instrument is handcrafted and available in 35 countries and 6 continents.  Lillian Burkart, president of the company, will discuss her niche brand as well as provide a tour of the workshop.

For more information or to register, please contact the Chamber at 978-353-7600 ext. 235 or visit www.northcentralmass.com.

Johnny Appleseed Trail Association to offer region’s first Tourism Update Breakfast

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Johnny Appleseed Trail Association to offer region’s first Tourism Update Breakfast

Forum to bring together tourism related businesses and organizations in the region

The Johnny Appleseed Trail Association (JATA) and the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce are pleased to announce the first Tourism Update Breakfast being held on Thursday, March 31, 2016 at Wachusett Mountain Ski Area, 499 Mountain Road, Princeton, MA. This exciting and fast paced breakfast event features industry experts who will share their professional insights on marketing North Central Massachusetts.

Mark PrestonMark Preston, of TripAdvisor, will discuss reputation branding and utilizing resources afforded online.  While serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in a small community in the Andes Mountains in Ecuador 15 years ago, Mark learned the true power and influence travel and tourism can have on a local economy.   Since that time, Mark has leveraged those learnings across his career.  As an 8-year veteran of TripAdvisor Media Group, Mark has helped strategically plan and customize online campaigns for partners worldwide; ranging from well-known airlines such as United, Continental and American Airlines to Online Travel Agencies like Hotwire, Booking.com, and Agoda.

jeff CrowleyNorth Central’s own Jeff Crowley, President of Wachusett Mountain Ski Area will provide an industry update and highlight the ski area’s marketing efforts.  Wachusett Mountain Ski Area is a leader in winter sports in New England with more than 50 years in the ski industry.  The Ski Area has grown exponentially since its inception in the 1970’s with the addition of trails, faster lifts and changes to the rental shop.  As one of three second-generation owners, Jeff will also discuss the Mountain’s impact and partnerships which support tourism growth throughout North Central Massachusetts.

Tony DAgostinoTony D’Agostino, has been with the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism for more than ten years as the Director of Research. In that time, Tony’s main projects have been related to studying the volume of tourists, visitors and the economic impact of tourism spending in Massachusetts. These reports support the marketing initiatives and activities of the sixteen regional tourism councils across the Commonwealth.  Tony’s presentation will highlight visitor trends, top visitor markets and the impact of tourism for the state and region.

“Tourism is important to the future of North Central Massachusetts and plays an increasingly important role in our local economy” said Roy Nascimento, president of the Johnny Appleseed Trail Association. “We are hosting this Tourism Update Breakfast as a way to bring tourism related stakeholders in the region together to share best practices, learn new trends in the industry and to take advantage of new opportunities to better market local businesses and the region to visitors.”

The Tourism Update Breakfast is open to all community members and will run from 7:30 am to 9:30 am. The cost is just $20 for JATA and North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce members/$30 for non-members and includes a breakfast buffet. Registration can be done online at www.northcentralmass.com. Pre-registration is required. For more information or to register, please contact the Chamber at 978-353-7600 ext. 235 or visit www.northcentralmass.com