Press Release: New Jersey Assembly Consumer Protection Committee Passes Mandatory Magnuson Moss
Warranty Act Disclosure Requirement for Automakers
On June 12, AOCA member Jay Rosenthal, Vice President of New Jersey Lubrication, testified before the New Jersey Assembly Consumer Affairs Committee in support of A2612, an Act requiring Magnuson Moss Warranty Act (MMWA) disclosure to new car buyers. Mr. Rosenthal impressed upon the Committee that the 2016 AOCA New Jersey Customer Warranty Rights Survey demonstrates
the only way to stop automakers and dealerships from tying warranty coverage to branded products and services is to empower consumers with knowledge of their MMWA rights through a mandatory measure like A2612.

Access the Latest Issue of LUBE+
The latest issue of LUBE+ is now available!

This edition includes articles on marketing quick lubes, regulatory issues facing the industry, HR tips and more!

Read latest issue of LUBE+.
Save the Date for the Upcoming Management Certification Courses
AOCA's Management Certification Course provides the knowledge and tools to help you and your managers develop skills in  planning, organization, staffing, leading and controlling .
Upcoming Fall 2017 Courses
September 26-27, Dallas, TX:  Register now!
October 3-4, Chicago, IL: Register now!

Management Course Schedule (for both days)
 7:45 a.m.  Continental Breakfast served
 8:00 a.m.  Course Start
12:00-1:00 p.m.   Lunch Break
 4:30 p.m.  End
AOCA Partner, PISTN: Marketing Accelerated

According to a  recent study by brightlocal.com , online reviews are more important than ever and, when it comes to the origin of those reviews, the closer to your business, the better.

Brightlocal has conducted the survey every year since 2010. Last year, they polled more than 1,050 individuals to get insight on how online reviews changed their purchasing habits.

According to the survey, about 92 percent of consumers now read online reviews and about 63 percent of customers are more likely to make a purchase from a site with reviews, rather than one that does not feature any customer feedback.

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: Staffing Audit
Q:  At what point does a small company need a dedicated HR person?  Right now our payroll person is handling HR issues.  She does an ok job but I wonder if we are missing something. 

A: Many small companies who cannot afford an HR person divvy up HR duties between other administrative staff.  It is not uncommon to have an administrator, finance, or payroll person handle the critical needs like making sure people get paid and benefit enrollment.  Unfortunately, given the myriad of federal laws that apply to even the smallest companies, everyone needs experienced HR support from time to time. The rule of thumb in the industry is once you hit 50 employees, you probably need an HR professional and you generally need a professional for every 150 employees (so you would need two HR professionals if you have 300 employees). 
 
If you think she's doing a good job, maybe what you need is just a quick audit of your HR function to make sure everything is going well.  She will probably learn a lot and you will have the peace of mind to know that your HR ducks are all in a row!

Learn more about AOCA's partnership with Affinity HR Group and how you can access custom support to your most challenging people management issues.
Complimentary Webinar: Workplace Regulations - What to Expect from the Trump Administration
From mandatory E-verify to paid child-care and beyond, what will Congress and the Trump Administration do to workplace laws and regulations in the near future? 

While it's difficult to get a read on it, there are some signals with regard to coming changes in workplace laws. Meanwhile, state and local governments continue to enact and update regulations of their own. 

For a look at regulatory trends and how you can be preparing for them, as well as an update to the Obama administration's new overtime provisions that went into effect at the end of last year, join AOCA for a  free webinarTuesday, June 27 at 2:00 p.m. CDT. 

Register now to: 
  • Learn about the regulatory trends likely to affect your business in the next 12 months
  • Hear suggestions for how best to respond to and/or comply with those emerging regulatory trends
  • Get your specific questions answered by a panel of experts, and
  • Learn how you can stay abreast of local, state and federal labor regulations and laws.  
Please be sure to list AOCA as the sponsoring organization on the registration form.
A Summer of Savings with 
AOCA's Savings4Members
To kick off summer, Savings4Members is offering our members even more ways to save with limited time promotions. Take advantage of these exclusive offers:
  • New program! Penske Truck & Vehicle Rentals: Members save 15 percent on local rentals and 10 percent on all one-way rentals.
  • Save $20 off your order of $200 or more with Office Depot through 6/27/2017.
  • Receive 3 months free ADP payroll processing when you switch by 6/30/2017.
Don't miss out on all current Savings4Members' vendor promotions. You can view all promos here.

Learn more or contact a Savings Consultant at info@savings4members.com or 844.346.3746
A Vision for the Next Generation
Develop talent now for a successful future
While incentives such as bonuses and profit sharing are important, recognizing achievements and building
self-esteem are priceless.

Some business owners procrastinate or avoid communicating their succession plans because they fear how family members and employees might react. However, their silence may actually create more stress and cause harm to the business. Most employees-including family members-will feel more secure about the future if they know what to expect and how they will fit in.

Read more.
Risk Management Corner
The Heat is On
It's not the heat, it's the humidity! Unless you work outdoors, that is. Then it's both. Working outside on a nice  summer day can be a pleasure. But if your job takes you outdoors when it's hot and humid, it can stop being  pleasurable and become downright dangerous. In 2015 alone, 37 workers died and 2,010 were injured from  environmental heat exposure.

HR Question of the Month
Question: We have an employee who is out on FMLA leave and now has been cleared to come back to work on an intermittent basis. Due to his serious health condition, he will be placed on intermittent FMLA leave. The employee was a salaried manager and now will only be able to work around 20 hours per week.

Do we still need to pay him his entire salary or can we break that salary down into an hourly rate?