Do your Employees Need Training?
Are you a for-profit company? Do you face out-of-state competition?

If you answered yes to all of these questions, Employers Group has a solution for you: State-Funded Training. Employers Group has been offering state-funded training to eligible member companies for a number of years and has trained upward of 5,000 employees in 140 different companies.

Here’s some facts about the program:

• Eligible companies can receive 24, 32, 40 or 48 hours of training for a group or groups of employees.
• Training is provided on-site, at your facility with just your employees, making the program tailored to your company’s issues.
• Companies can choose to train one group of employees or train an unlimited number of groups. It is up to you.

Employers Group has been providing subsidized training programs to companies for the past few years, allowing a large number of employees to be trained at very little cost.

Training is available in just about any topic area, including:

• leadership development
• continuous improvement
• business skills
• computer skills
• manufacturing skills

Much of Employers Group’s new basic leadership skills program—and all of the advanced program—can be paid for using state funds.

We handle all the steps for you!
While the program may be state-funded, that is the extent of state involvement in your company. Employers Group deals with the state, handles all the paperwork, pays the trainers and makes it possible for your company to take advantage of this unique program in a fast, efficient manner that will have a definite positive impact on your company.

Sign up for a free briefing about state-funded training
Because of the phenomenal response Employers Group has received for the continued offering of state-funded training, we will be conducting monthly telephonic briefings so you can learn more about the program, its benefits and how your company can easily take advantage of this low-cost training solution.

Briefings are held every 3rd Thursday of each month from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. To register for the next upcoming briefings, which you can attend in the comfort of your own office, please contact 800.748.8484 (option 3).

New Extended Deadline:
Participate in the 50th Annual Executive Compensation Survey and Receive the Report Free!

The 2006 Executive Compensation Survey is currently being conducted. Covering compensation levels for 24 top-level executive classifications, this multi-industry report is designed to assist you in optimizing your executive compensation plan. Also in celebration of this survey’s 50th Anniversary, there are NO PARTICIPATION FEES! Participate, and you’ll receive this full report free (Total Value $395)!

Participate & You'll Also Receive:

• A Custom Market Analysis Report: These customized reports chart executive pay levels based on public or private ownership, major industry, and revenue. Regularly, such reports would command fees ranging from $150 to $300.
• The report in a CD format (CA Report Only): Users can view, print, and store the entire report via an easy-to-use electronic format.

About the Report:
This year’s report also includes data for six New Job Classifications: Chairman of the Board, Chief Sector/Group Executive, Chief Tax Executive, Chief Program Executive (not-for-profit groups), Chief Business Development Executive and Director of Supply Chain Management. So, whether you choose the U.S. or California edition, by participating you’ll receive in-depth compensation data for over 40 top-level executive classifications including their executive perks and general employee benefits.

CLICK HERE TO PARTICIPATE

Hurry! The Deadline to Participate is March 22nd!

Unable to Participate? Pre-order!

If your company is unable to participate but would like to purchase the survey, click on the link below for a special pre-order form.

Order today and Save 15% off the new price of $145!

PREORDER TODAY

If you have any questions about this survey or any other EG services, please call us at 213.765.3935 or e-mail us at surveys@employersgroup.com.

NEW Offering! Employers Group Partners with RSM McGladrey Employer Services for Web-based HRIS and Hosted Payroll Solutions

Employers Group is pleased to announce our new partnership with RSM McGladrey Employer Services (RSMES), to provide you with Web-based integrated HRIS and payroll processing solutions – Clear HR and Clear Pay.

Using technology rated #1 in 2005 by the Gartner Group, Clear Pay and Clear HR provide an HRIS Web portal with manager and employee self service functionality and a fully hosted payroll processing service. Together, the 100% Web based platform provides easy, 24/7 access, multiple access levels for role based security and compliance with local, state and federal agencies. Benefits include:

• Complete HR Information System and Web portal for secure Internet access to workforce data at any time from any where
• Fully hosted Internet payroll processing and tax filing service
• Manager and employee self service functionality
• Benefits fee collection and remittance service
• Access to numerous reports and business analytics

The systems are fully integrated, so that changes in one system automatically take place in the other, further reducing manual tasks and redundant data entry. Specific benefits of each solution include:

Clear Pay
The Clear Pay solution provides seamless integration of payroll processing and payroll tax filing. Clear Pay bundles all of the tools you need for payroll management and tax filing into one flexible solution so you can maximize your efficiency and automate processes without adding new technology burdens.

Clear HR
The Clear HR solution combines the power of the Clear Pay services with robust benefits management and employee self service tools to deliver the perfect solution for companies that need more than core HR services. By allowing Clear HR to handle your HR burdens, you’ll achieve the freedom to focus your time and attention on more critical business functions such as talent management, workforce analytics and strategic development.

RSM McGladrey Employer Services is part of RSM McGladrey Business Services, a wholly owned subsidiary of H&R Block, providing accounting, tax, consulting and professional services to midsized businesses.

For more information on our new partnership and related services, please contact Katherin Scott at Employers Group at 213.765.3949.

When Employees Need Help, Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) Can Save the Day
Special Pricing for EG Members!

Do you and your employees have a place to turn for answers and support when personal problems arise that can interfere with productivity in your organization? Is your company seeking cost-effective benefits that will attract and retain good employees, while improving employee performance and workplace morale?

Why not take advantage of Employers Group’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services offered through our partner, Employee Support Systems Company (ESSCo). Founded in 1979, ESSCo has provided numerous Employers Group members with a friendly and confidential environment in which employees and their family members can seek answers and support for personal or professional problems that may interfere with their daily lives at work, at home or in the community. Services include:

• EAP assessment and referral
• Critical incident stress de-briefing
• One-on-one counseling
• Department of Transportation (DOT) Drug & Alcohol programs
• Wellness related training
• Conflict resolution
• Pre-retirement planning and career counseling
• Help with early childhood and gerontology issues

ESSCo provides organizations with quality Employee Assistance Program services in response to individual, organizational, cultural and societal needs.

For more information on EAP services offered by Employers Group through ESSCo, please contact Katherin Scott at 213.765.3949.

Human Resources Professional Series
An Employers Group Certificate Program

The Human Resource Professional Series offers new and experienced professionals comprehensive training in four key areas of human resources (HR) management:

• Compliance
• HR Administration
• Employee Development
• Employment Practices

These courses are designed for professionals responsible for HR departments, as well as those entering the profession. Managers interested in improving both their and their employees’ performance will also benefit from this series. The courses are taught by leading practitioners and attorneys in the field, thus providing participants practical information with real-world application.

All courses are designed for results. Participants will be able to apply what they learn immediately—improving performance while increasing organizational productivity.

All classes are four hours except where noted:

Series 1: The Basics

1.1 Introduction to HR
1.2 Basic Employment Laws
1.3 Wrongful Discharge Laws and Practices
1.4 Discrimination Laws

Series 2: Wages, Salaries and Benefits

2.1 Wage and Salary 1
2.2 Benefits 1
2.3 401(K)
2.4 COBRA (This course may be up to 6 hours)

Series 3: Recruiting, Selection & Communication

3.1 Good Job Descriptions
3.2 Recruiting
3.3 Interviewing and Selection
3.4 HR Communications

Series 4: Employee Relations Practices

4.1 Workers' Compensation
4.2 Policies and Handbooks
4.3 Employee Recordkeeping
4.4 Performance Management for HR

Completing the HR Professional Series requires finishing all 16 courses listed above. Trainees can register for the entire program, for a series, or for individual classes. To complete the entire certificate program, all courses must be completed in 12 months.

For complete course descriptions and registration, please visit employersgroup.com or register by phone 800.748.8484.

32 week HR Professional programs begin in the following locations:
Training is typically delivered every other week until the program is finished.

Please call Employers Group if you would like to host a session in your local area.

Full Program Fees:
$2,000 / members for full 16 course program
$2,400 / non-members for full 16 course program

Individual Series Fees:
$600 / members for one 4-module series
$800 / non-members for one 4-module series

Individual Course:
$200 / member
$250 / non-member

Online Training Tele-Demos are Back!

Last year, hundreds of Employers Group members took advantage of weekly telephone demonstrations showing how convenient, effective and easy it is to take advantage of our online training.

Sign up for a demo on any 3rd Thursday
We are bringing back these demonstrations, which you can access from your desk. They will be held the 3rd Thursday of each month from 2-3 p.m.

During the call, you will be navigated through a demonstration of the course content and administrative capabilities. You will also do some hands-on activities such as assigning yourself a course and experiencing all of the easy-to-use administrative tools.

To sign up, please contact Employers Group at 800.748.8484 (option 3).

A multitude of topics
Online training currently offers a multitude of topics, including (additional courses will be available later this year):

• Harassment prevention geared to employees or supervisors (available in English or Spanish)
• Workplace violence
• Ethics/code of conduct
• Implementing an illness and injury prevention program
• Interviewing and selection
• Lawful terminations
  

Two online choices are available

• Express online training – train a small group of employees and let Employers Group manage the entire process for you. Just supply us with the trainee names, email addresses and topics. We will assign the courses and trainees can begin their programs the next day. If interested, email training@employersgroup.com.
• Customized online training – Employers Group can customize the online program for just your company. The customized program will allow unlimited access to all online training content as well as incorporate your company’s logo and policies into the program. For customized training, email jhull@employersgroup.com.

Do you Need an Extra Pair of HR Hands?
Is someone on leave in your department, or do you need to fill an open HR position?

Lately, we’ve been getting a number of calls from members in need of interim HR help. Did you know that EG has HR professionals available to take care of your short or long-term needs?

Whether you need an HR generalist, an HR manager, or even an interim Vice President of HR, we can provide you a qualified professional. We have internal HR staff at EG, as well as a number of prescreened HR consultants who can fill any of these shoes.

Or, if you’re looking for a permanent HR hire, we can help you with that too!

Call us at 800.7488484 (Option 3), and ask for information about our interim HR or recruitment services.

FAQs: What to do about Unclaimed Pay Checks

Q: What should I do with the unclaimed paychecks of former employees?

A: You should make every reasonable attempt to deliver any unclaimed paychecks. You want to avoid any claims by ex-employees about failing to pay earned wages, or that you hindered the collection of the wage payment. Send a letter to the last known address and include a form for the former employee to sign and return if he/she would like the check mailed. If the employee wants the check mailed, send it certified or by FedEx for the best proof of delivery.

Q: What happens when I cannot locate the employee?

A: If you cannot deliver the check, state law requires that you turn it over to the state’s unclaimed property office. All the states have unclaimed property laws. Most states require that unclaimed wages be remitted to the state after one year. California Civil Procedures Code §1513(g), effective January 1, 2004, changed the time period in California from three years to one year.

Uncollected wages, salary and commission are said to “escheat” to the state. The word escheat describes an old legal principle that when a person died without an heir, their property would go to the king or local lord. Today “abandoned property” goes or escheats to the state. In California this means turning it over to the State Controller’s Office.

Q: What is the procedure for remitting unclaimed wages?

A: According to California State Controller, Steve Westly, “Holders of unclaimed property are required by law to notify owners that their property is in danger of being escheated to the State.” Holders should refer to the code of Civil Procedure Sections 1513.5, 1516(d) and 1520(b) for the complete requirements for notifying owners of unclaimed property.

Unclaimed wages must be reported and remitted annually by November 1. Forms and instructions are available from the website of the State Controller. You may be able to do this through your third party payroll administrator.

Q: What are the penalties for not handling unclaimed money properly?

A: Failure to meet the due dates for reporting and remitting unless due to reasonable cause shall result in interest at the 12 percent per annum on the value of the unclaimed property from the date it should have been reported or paid or delivered.

Any person who willfully fails to render any report in the proper format shall be punished by a fine of $100 per day up to $10,000. Willful refusal to pay or deliver escheated property to the State Controller shall be subject to a fine of not less than $5,000 nor more than $50,000.

Q: How can unclaimed wages be reclaimed?

A: Anyone can search for unclaimed wages and other property. Click here to look up your own name and see if you have any unclaimed property.

Reveal the Person Behind the Resume
“96 Great Interview Questions to Ask Before you Hire”

Every busy interviewer knows the danger of throwing out vague questions to a potential employee. You get canned answers in response and the result can be a disastrous hiring decision. You can’t afford not to carefully question each candidate but with today’s harried work pace, who has the time to formulate probing questions and expected answers?

Now there’s a quick way to find out what really makes a candidate tick. “96 Great Interview Questions to Ask Before you Hire” written by Paul Falcone, literally offers 96 probing interview questions, plus helpful tips on interpreting the responses.

Falcone offers invaluable advice on how to identify high performance candidates, probe beyond superficial answers and spot 'red flags' which indicate evasions or untruths. In addition, he details how to get references that provide truly reliable information about candidates and how to negotiate job offers that attract winners. Between the pages of this must-have reference you will also find:

• How to elicit spontaneous, truthful responses
• How to watch out for red flags that predict sub-par performance
• How to solicit meaningful information from reference checking
• How to hire people that best fit the organization’s needs

With questions covering seventeen topics and all types of job openings, this book serves as both a ready reference for managers and a refresher course for seasoned human resources managers. It’s like being able to read the other team's playbook before the championship game! As the most senior HR executives can tell you, the goal in any interview is to ultimately reveal the person behind the resume. These questions are above and beyond the normal tested legal guidelines, they ask whether a person can do the job as described.

Paul Falcone, M.A., who is a nationally recognized speaker in the field of Human Resources, provides insight into the standard set of HR questions that all interviewers should to know. "What are your strengths"... "What are your weaknesses"...? Why ask these questions unless you know what you are looking for? This book provides an in depth discussion of these and other questions with sample answers, what you should look for in an answer and possible follow up questions.

This book and many others are available through the EG Store at a discounted member rate. For more information you can visit our website, or you can call our Member Services Center at 800-748-8484 (option3) to speak to a representative.