Labor Department Provides Employers a Roadmap to Avoid AI Hiring Discrimination

Federal workplace officials just unveiled a new website guiding employers on best practices to avoid artificial intelligence discrimination during the hiring process, including a roadmap of 10 actions you should consider taking if you want to stay compliant. While the September 24 release from the Department of Labor doesn’t carry the force of law, employers that follow these steps will not only put themselves at a competitive advantage when it comes to hiring but will be able to raise a solid defense if ever accused of AI discrimination.

USPS Announces No Stamp Price Changes for January 2025

A recommendation by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy not to raise prices in January 2025 for market-dominant products — including First-Class Mail — has been approved by the Postal Service governors.

Accordingly, the price of a stamp to mail a 1-once single-piece First-Class Mail letter will not increase.     

The Postal Service’s operational strategies are designed to boost service reliability, cost efficiency and overall productivity. 

“Our strategies are working, and projected inflation is declining,” DeJoy said. “Therefore, we will wait until at least July before proposing any increases for market-dominant services.”

Neyenesch Printers Celebrates 125 Years in the Business!

PIASD member, Neyenesch Printers, a family-owned business in San Diego, celebrates its 125th anniversary in 2024. Established in 1899, it is currently led by the fourth generation of women leaders. The company is known for its commitment to quality, diversity, and sustainability, reflected in certifications like ISO 14001-2015 and G7 Master Printer. Neyenesch also plants a tree for every print job in 2024. Their history is marked by innovation and growth, including modern facilities and cutting-edge technology.

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Join us on this month for a series of briefs covering various topics essential for our industry. The briefs are quick and impactful programs (10-15 minutes) followed by as much Q+A time as you need. You can stay just for the presentations or take a deeper dive and ask some questions.

Mail piece Design Certification Workshop

October 21-24, 2024 I M:$250.00 I NM:$395.00

Obtaining certification in understanding and designing mail for automation is essential for mailers to get their mail accepted, receive Postal discounts and speed mail delivery for themselves and their customers.

Sister affilate, PGAMA will be providing a four day virtual classroom program with an open book exam for certification as a Mailpiece Design Consultant (MDC).

Learning Objectives

• Learn the basics of mailpiece design and what is required for automation, postage discounts and faster processing through the U.S. Postal System.
• Find out “WHAT NOT TO DO” to prevent your mail from being rejected, returned or damaged.
• Find out where to go for help for questions, design support and apply the correct postage.
• Find out how your company can reap the benefits of Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMb) with informed visibility and informed delivery
• Find out about the latest changes to USPS rates, regulations and how to keep up to date.

HR Q&A

Q: Can we ask applicants if they have a car?

A: If a personal vehicle is truly necessary to do the job—for instance, if the open position is for a courier and you don’t provide a company vehicle—then yes, asking whether the applicant has access to a car would be appropriate. However, if your concern is the employee’s ability to get to work every day in a timely fashion, it would be better to ask if they have reliable transportation while emphasizing the importance of being on time.

Asking about an applicant’s assets (like a car), or anything else that might be classified as financial information, can run afoul of equal employment regulations if the information isn’t gathered and used carefully, and only as needed. Because of this, we recommend not asking applicants if they own a vehicle (or house, or boat, or spaceship) unless it’s genuinely necessary to perform the job you’re hiring for.

This Q&A does not constitute legal advice and does not address state or local law.

Americas Print Awards Announces Top Winners

Who is the best of the best in the USA? Answering this question is what the Americas Print Awards is all about!

The Americas Printing Association Network (APAN) is proud to announce the presentation of the 2024 Americas Print Awards (APA’s), a national competition that recognizes the absolute finest in printing across the United States. 

The associations across APAN submitted their top winning entries from their regional competitions into the APA’s. Those pieces went head-to-head in this national competition. 

The Best of Show Award showcases the pinnacle of printing across America, rewarding the very best work of just one of APAN’s more than 5,000 members.

The award winners will be announced on October 17 via a live YouTube event, featuring a 4K experience with detailed video imagery of each winning piece.

QWERTY: Why Your Keyboard Looks Like It Does

Have you ever wondered why the letters on the keyboard of your computer or phone are laid out like they are? We have a trio of inventors to thank for that. On June 23rd of 1868 (a day now widely celebrated as International Typewriter Day), Christopher Sholes, Carlos Glidden, and J.W. Soule were issued U.S. Patent No. 79,265 for a “type-writing machine.” The way the letters were arranged on their first “type-writer” is basically the way that we see them on most of today’s keyboards.

Interested in Buying or Selling a Printing Business in San Diego?

Are you looking to buy or sell a printing business in the San Diego area? We regularly get calls from buyers and sellers who are interested in taking over or expanding their operations. Whether you're ready to sell or seeking new opportunities in the printing industry, we'd love to help you make the right connection. Reach out to Megan at megan@piasd.org and we'll keep you in the loop.

Why Retailers Are Returning to Print Catalogs to Break Through Digital Clutter

In a world overloaded with digital noise, Amazon's return to the good old-fashioned print catalog proves that sometimes, the best way to cut through the clutter is to bring back a little bit of childhood magic—complete with stickers, puzzles, and a dash of nostalgia.