Upcoming Webinar: New Overtime Rule Compliance
To help you prepare for the new Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) overtime rule changes that take effect December 1, AOCA is again partnering with Affinity HR Group to host a  free webinar , "Complying with New Overtime Rule - What You Need to Know and Your Questions Answered." 

In this follow up to our successful spring webinar on the new FLSA rule, you will gain new resources for building and implementing a compliance strategy. Join us for this co-hosted webinar on  Thursday, September 22 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern/1:00 p.m. CT.

Please be sure to list AOCA as the sponsoring organization on the registration form.

Last Chance to Register for a Management Certification Course
The Dallas Management Course is just a few days away! Obtain the knowledge and tools needed to help you and your managers develop skills in planning, organization, staffing, leading and controlling.

Click here for an overview of the training curriculum.   
 
 
AOCA would like to thank the course sponsors, Solid Start/True Brand and PureCars
Access Online Training Programs at No Cost
In partnership with Federal-Mogul Motorparts, AOCA members can now access a number of online training programs at no cost, and receive 15 percent off all other Federal-Mogul training programs, both online and instructor-led.

These free training offerings cover topics such as:
  • Brakes
  • Steering and Suspension
  • Engine and Sealing
Click here to view and access the full list of training offerings.
OSHA's New Electronic Reporting & Anti-Retaliation Rule
The new electronic reporting requirements apply to a subset of employers already covered by OSHA's longstanding injury and illness record keeping program that requires submission of the following forms:
  • OSHA Form 300 - Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses
  • OSHA Form 301 - Injury and Illness Incident Report
  • OSHA Form 300A - Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses
The anti-retaliation component of the rule applies to all employers-no exemptions-and prohibits discouraging workers from reporting an injury or illness. 

Learn More
How to Humanize Your Brand
AOCA Partner, PISTN: Marketing Accelerated

It's not enough to have a lot of friends or followers subscribe to your  social media channels. The number may look comforting and you may be able to brag about it, but what you're really looking for, as a business, is the quality of followers, fans or friends.

You want engagement.

The more your customers engage with you on social media-and the more you engage with them-the more likely they are to become loyal customers.

What that means, usually, is that you shouldn't treat your social media posts like advertising. You shouldn't treat your content like business content. Simply put, your business should be social on social media and that means being human.  Click here for tips on how to humanize your brand. .

As an AOCA partner, PISTN: Marketing Accelerated offers AOCA members discounted services. Visit their member page to learn more .
Q&A with Affinity HR's Claudia St. John
Q: I have an employee who is over 50 years old and has a disability. Unfortunately, he continues to be a challenge in the workplace - saying disparaging things to women and being insubordinate with his supervisor, who is also a woman. I know he's protected given his age and disability - is there anything we can do to address his behavior?

A: Not only is there something you can do, there are things that you absolutely should do. Federal labor law does not prohibit employers from disciplining and terminating protected class employees, it simply keeps you from discriminating against them because of their disability. The behavior you describe sounds inappropriate at best and possibly illegal if he is harassing women. You should be documenting these behaviors and addressing them according to your company's progressive discipline policy which should allow for discipline up to and including termination.

Learn more about AOCA's partnership with Affinity HR Group and how you can access custom support to your most challenging people management issues.
AOCA Staff Spotlight
Meet Marisa Weich, Marketing and Communications Associate for AOCA. In addition to You Auto Know, Marisa will be assisting with membership promotions, iFLEX, advertising, and the Government Affairs Update.

Marisa is from Mequon, Wisconsin and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She's been on the AOCA team since August and is excited to be a part of the team.

Fun Fact: Marisa's favorite city to travel to is Nashville and she hopes to visit again this year!
Fall for 4 Sweepstakes
AOCA member are invited to enter the savings4members Fall for 4 Sweepstakes for a chance to win a Harman Kardon bluetooth wireless speaker, DeWalt tool set, $200 WEX Mastercard and $100 Panera Gift Card. A grand prize valued at over $800! Enter before October 14 to win.

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Don't Take a Chance — Valuation Methods for Buy-Sell Agreements
A Buy/Sell Agreement helps a business owner "lock in" a value for the business. The Agreement does this by using a "valuation formula." The formula you use could mean the difference between receiving liquidation value or fair market value. Does your valuation formula lock in fair market value?
 
Forces of Nature 
Natural disasters can occur anytime, anywhere and can destroy years of hard work in an instant. With proper planning, their impact on your livelihood can be minimized. If you haven't developed a disaster plan for your business, or need to update your current plan, the following steps may help.

Step 1 - Research your business's exposures and the options available to minimize them.  

Step 2 - Create a disaster recovery plan.