A Note from our President, Lynn Ward
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Dear Chamber Member,
I hope your summer has been enjoyable and that you've had an opportunity to relax a little bit.
Here at the Chamber, we are busy preparing for some upcoming events, including our 26th annual Waterbury Regional Chamber Open, taking place on Thursday, September 28, 2021 at the Country Club of Waterbury. We have a few spaces remaining. For registration details click here.
I'm excited to announce that our next Out for Business will take place on Tuesday, October 19, 2021 at the Golf Club at Oxford Greens. The event starts at 5:30 p.m. Visit our website for registration.
The 26th Annual Malcolm Baldrige Chamber Awards Evening will take place on Wednesday, March 9, 2022 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Aqua Turf Club. Winners of the Malcolm Baldrige Community Award, Chamber Leadership Award, and Chamber Volunteer Award will be forthcoming. For sponsorship opportunities, contact our Events Director Chris Caulfield.
We are also in the process of preparing some technological upgrades in our board room, which will increase our capacity to bring you an improved experience for virtual meetings and other events via Zoom.
We know that there is constantly new information coming out each day regarding mask mandates, vaccination requirements for employees, and information on federal loan assistance programs and more. Stay tuned to your inbox, our website, and social media for the latest updates.
You can reach me, as always, at (203) 757-0701 or [email protected]. Keep scrolling for this month’s updates and events to take full advantage of what our Chamber has to offer.
Thank you, more than ever, for your continued membership,
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In This Issue:
- President's Note
- Reopening Resources & Information
- Newsletter Sponsor Post University
- HR Corner by Carmody, Torrance Sandak & Hennessey LLP
- Next Gen Manufacturing Hiring Event Sept. 15
- In the News
- Welcome New Members
- Upcoming Opportunities
- Hiring/Training Programs
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Reopening Resources & Information
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A Message From Newsletter Sponsor,
Post University
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Post University Honored as Silver Stevie Award Winner in 2021 Stevie Awards for Great Employers
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Post University has been awarded a Silver Stevie® Award in the Employer of the Year category in the sixth annual Stevie Awards for Great Employers. The university was recognized for its efforts supporting faculty, associates and students during the pivot to online learning at the onset of the pandemic.
“I am so proud of our nearly 2,000 faculty and staff who worked tirelessly and cohesively to make the Post University experience extraordinary, particularly during COVID-19,” said Post University CEO & President John Hopkins. “We wouldn’t be where we are today without the support and dedication of this incredible team.”
The Stevie Awards for Great Employers recognize the world’s best employers and the human resources professionals, teams, achievements and HR-related products and suppliers who help to create and drive great places to work. Nearly 1,000 nominations from organizations of all sizes were submitted for consideration in a wide range of HR-related categories, including Achievement in Workplace Safety & Compliance, Employer of the Year, Chief Human Resources Officer of the Year, Human Resources Team of the Year, Employee Relations Solution Provider of the Year among others.
More than 70 professionals worldwide participated in the judging process to select this year’s Stevie Award winners.
Post University’s focus on culture reaped rewards amid the COVID pandemic through the following employee-relations achievements:
- Launched Associate Relief Fund for personal emergencies, providing $95,000+ to 200+ associates
- Maintained associate premiums for medical, dental and vision insurance for four consecutive years
- Achieved 89% annual associate retention rate in 2020 (up from 84% in 2019)
- No employees were laid-off or salaries reduced during COVID-19; instead, offered merit increases to full-time associates
- Expanded (6/2020) associate health coverage to include 24/7 mental health access during the COVID pandemic for associates and their families.
The new culture yielded positive results during a challenging year for higher education:
- Averaged a 94.4% positive rating from the New Associate Experience survey
- Increased student census 25% from 12,000 to 15,000
Winners of the awards will be recognized during a virtual awards ceremony on November 17.
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HR Corner: Taxation of Fringe Benefits: A Refresher for Employees
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The subject of taxation of employee benefits made rare headlines recently when the Trump Organization and its chief financial officer, Allen Weisselberg, were indicted for tax crimes related to unreported fringe benefits. In support of the criminal charges in this case, the indictment describes concerted, years-long efforts to conceal these payments, while simultaneously tracking them as part of Weisselberg’s compensation. But in less nefarious-seeming instances, employer-provided benefits for housing, automobile use and tuition are actually pretty common, and sometimes non-taxable. So how do you know when such an item is taxable employee compensation and must be reflected in employee pay, and when it isn’t?
What are fringe benefits?
According to the IRS, a fringe benefit is a form of pay for the performance of services. For example, an employee receives a fringe benefit when an employer allows the employee to use a business vehicle to commute to and from work.
Unless specifically excluded by the tax law, any fringe benefit provided by an employer to an employee is taxable, and must be included in the employee’s pay and reported on their annual Form W-2. Luckily, there are a number of such exclusions. The most common tax-free fringe benefits include group health insurance, and contributions to qualified retirement plans, Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and flexible spending arrangements (FSAs). But what about other fringe benefits?
Rent/Lodging Expenses
The Internal Revenue Code provides a very narrow set of circumstances in which an employer’s payment or reimbursement of an employee’s regular housing costs may be excluded from pay. To qualify, the lodging must be provided: (1) for the employer’s convenience; (2) on the employer’s business premises; and (3) as a condition of the employee’s employment.
In contrast to housing expenses that mostly benefit an employee personally, employer reimbursement of substantiated hotel and other travel expenses incurred by employees on bona fide business trips for employers are commonly excludible from an employee’s pay.
Auto Allowances/Use of Company Vehicles
An employee’s personal use of an employer-provided automobile any more than a minimal amount is generally considered taxable compensation. There are a variety of ways that employers and employees may account for the taxable portion of an employee’s use of an employer-provided automobile. One of the more common methods is the cents-per-mile rate set annually by the IRS.
Parking and Transit
Another common, transportation benefit is parking and transit passes. For 2021, up to $270 per month may be excluded from employee income for both qualified parking and/or for combined commuter highway vehicle transportation and transit passes.
Tuition
The Code excludes up to $5,250 per calendar year in expenses paid by employers toward qualified educational assistance programs. In addition, payments toward qualified student loans are excludible from an employee’s pay through December 31, 2025.
In summary, employers need to be aware when they provide employees with fringe benefits to ensure their proper tax and accounting treatment. If an employer is unsure whether— and to what extent— a particular fringe benefit should be included in an employee’s pay, it is always prudent to seek advice from a competent professional.
This information is for educational purposes only to provide general information and a general understanding of the law. It does not constitute legal advice and does not establish any attorney-client relationship.
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Sept. 15 Next Gen Manufacturing Hiring Event
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Find Your Next Manufacturing Job this Wednesday
By Lynn Ward
Looking to land a job or change careers? Consider the many competitive opportunities available in the manufacturing industry right here in Connecticut and explore them later this week during a unique hiring event.
This Wednesday, Sept. 15 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., dozens of manufacturers from around Northwestern Connecticut will gather at three locations in the area to connect with job seekers and give them the opportunity to fast track their way into a new position. The hiring events are being held by the Next Gen manufacturing initiative, a national model adopted by industry partners throughout the region that seeks to tackle common needs. In this case, that’s filling a variety of good-paying positions at manufacturers across the region. The Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board is a supporting partner in the next Gen initiative and the Waterbury Regional Chamber is a convening team member in this partnership.
The hiring events are taking place at the Manufacturing Alliance Service Corporation (MASC) in Waterbury (173 Interstate Lane); Naugatuck Valley Community College in Danbury (9 West St.); and American Mural Project (90 Whiting St.) in Winsted. At each location, jobseekers will be able to meet one-on-one with representatives from participating employers, with the potential for on-the-spot hires. The event is free for employers and job seekers.
In Waterbury, some of the companies that will be on site at MASC include American Electro Products and their sister company American Plastic Products, Braxton Manufacturing, I2System, J&J Precision Eyelets, Kelly Green Board, Marion Manufacturing, and Waterbury Swiss Automatics.
At the family-owned American Electro Products, which was established in 1950 and specializes in precious metal plating and works with some of the country’s largest defense contractors, they currently have 31 job openings between the two companies, according to Patty Constantino, Human Resources and Payroll Administrator.
Their headquarters are located on Thomaston Avenue and many of the employees have been with the company for decades-some dating back to the 1970s, a testament to their positive work culture. Some of the jobs they are seeking to fill range from entry-level to those needing four-year degrees. The positions include material handlers, a setup process technician for injection molding, platers, platers’ helpers, quality control inspectors, and a chemical lab technician. For the beginners’ positions, Constantino says that they are willing to train the employee. There is mobility within the company if the individual is motivated and willing to learn, she says.
At I2Systems, a Morris-based producer of LED lighting, they are seeking the fill the following roles: assembly, quality inspectors, sales, logistics, and engineers. Jessely Pineda, Human Resources and Talent Development, says that I2Systems is the “best kept secret in Connecticut.” Their lighting is in place at such landmarks as the High Line elevated, linear park and greenway in New York City, as well as Little Island, a new, $260 million immersive park on the site of a former pier on the Hudson River in New York City.
Pineda, who will be meeting with job candidates on Wednesday, says she is looking for an employee who works hard, has ambition to grow, and has an entrepreneurial spirit. “We’re looking for top talent in the trades and engineering to help us continue to grow,” she says. At Wednesday’s hiring event, Pineda will have on hand a light that jobseekers can assemble and take apart, to see if a position as an assembler is something that might be interested in pursuing.
Thomas L. Kelly is the President of 2001 Company/Kelly Green Board, LLC. His company produces eco-friendly, high performance building materials for the commercial roofing and building industries. At their Waterbury plant on Thomaston Avenue, they produce construction board from 100 percent recycled materials. He says they are looking for six machine operations: three for the first shift and three for the second shift.
These are just a few opportunities that await you on September 15. Skip the online job boards and take advantage of a unique chance to interact with employers and find your next job. To sign up as a job seeker and get pre-screened, visit NRWIB.org. Walk-ins are welcome in Waterbury, Danbury, and Winsted.
This column originally ran in the Republican-American on Monday, September 13, 2021.
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A warm welcome to our newest members!* We encourage you to connect with them soon and see where your next partnership can be!
*Joined 8/4/21 to 9/9/21
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What is Leadership Greater Waterbury?
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A personal and career development program which creates lifelong partnerships and develops community awareness among future leaders in civic, professional and community organizations in the Greater Waterbury area. Its goal is to provide a creative, interactive environment for the participants to meet regional leaders and discuss the challenges that affect Greater Waterbury.
Open to business participants who are lifelong learners with five to 25+ years of work experience.
Program Timeline:
Orientation: November 17, 2021
Classes begin December 15, 2021
Graduation & Alumni Reception June 21, 2022
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Looking for a unique marketing opportunity?
The Chamber Perk program is a way for members to showcase their business or organization by offering up a discount or promotion for a specified week. Perks are promoted on the Chambers’ social media channels, through videos, and multiple spotlights in the Chamber’s newsletter, which is distributed to thousands of individuals. If you are a business who is interested in learning more about the Chamber Perk program contact Communications and Social Media Director David Huck at [email protected] or call 203-757-0701.
Some of the benefits include:
- Social media marketing to more than 5,000 followers
- Personalized eblasts to 1,000s of recipients
- Live video and highlights posted to social media
- Earned media in area press (front page placement on the business section in the Rep-Am)
- Marketing on the Chamber website & more!
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The Waterbury Regional Chamber’s Perk of the Week for September 13 is $50 off a booking for a live saxophone music session from musician Quinn Mitchell.
For over 30 years, Mitchell—a Waterbury native—has been delighting audiences with his melodic, explosive, and dynamic musical experience. Ideal for weddings, cocktail hours, corporate events, social gatherings, birthday parties, personal serenades, funerals, church services, and more. Mitchell has played on a variety of stages throughout his career and has recorded four Christmas albums and one Gospel album. Mitchell has played back up for R&B artist Melissa Morgan and has shared the stage with recording artists such as Hezekiah Walker, Douglas Miller, Twinkie Clark, Bobby Jones, and many others.
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For Malcolm Baldrige sponsorship opportunities, contact Chamber Events Director Chris Caulfield by email or call (203)-757-0701 ext. 324.
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Opportunity to Participate in MyCTSavings Pilot Program
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MyCTSavings, is a new retirement savings program created by the state of Connecticut’s Retirement Security Authority. MyCTSavings gives small businesses an easy way to help employees save and plan for their future, and it helps businesses compete with businesses that do offer retirement savings plans.
Employers with more than 5 employees who do not provide a qualified retirement savings plan are eligible to participate in the program. Employees must be at least 19 years old, have earned income, are employed in Connecticut, and have been employed for at least 120 days. There is no cost to participate in the pilot or the program.
Before the full MyCTSavings program rolls out across the state in 2022, we’re looking for interested employers to participate in an exclusive pilot of the program. The pilot is your chance to be one of the first to offer this great new program to your employees and help influence the program for other business owners. We also will provide dedicated support to help guide you through enrollment.
To learn more about the program or to sign up for the pilot, reach out to Colin Danly at [email protected] or register via MyCTSavings.com.
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Hiring & Training Programs Available
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Do you need help finding qualified workers for your business? Could you use some financial assistance to offset the cost of hiring and training new workers, or training your existing workforce?
The Waterbury Regional Chamber is working with the Northwest Regional Workforce Investments Board to help businesses in Greater Waterbury learn more about the available hiring and training programs and whether they qualify for them. This includes providing information on posting jobs on the states CThires.com website, as well as information about Manufacturing Innovation Fund Incumbent Worker Training, the apprenticeship program, hiring veterans and on-the-job training programs.
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PLUS: Need a Job Now?
NeedAJobNow.usNLx.com contains over 400,000 job openings and continues to grow daily. While many employers are downsizing their staff, others are significantly increasing their hiring efforts due to current demands. Through this initiative, DirectEmployers and National Association of State Workforce Agencies offers a way to bridge the gap between job supply and demand by offering an easy way for job seekers to gain access to current open positions and for employers to fill positions quickly and efficiently during these difficult times.
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Connecticut Hospitality Awareness Training
Connecticut Hospitality Awareness Training, or CHAT for short, is an innovative, educational program developed by the Connecticut Tourism Coalition to train frontline personnel who work at attractions, hotels, restaurants, and other businesses that make up the Connecticut tourism industry.
The CHAT program features an introductory video and seven interactive, online modules. The program takes under 90 minutes to complete, although participants can learn the material at their own pace. Once a participant receives a score of 70% or better, they have successfully completed the CHAT program. A Certificate of Achievement will be awarded from the Connecticut Tourism Coalition at a future tourism event.
CHAT's core curriculum features training on guest service and insight on why tourism matters. With greater knowledge, employees will understand how to best serve our valued guests. It is essential that Connecticut personnel are educated in their field to best represent our tourism industry.
Companies can sign up their employees to take the CHAT program for a package price of $10 per participant. Contact Frank Burns at the Connecticut Tourism Coalition at [email protected]. You will then be assigned a promo code to enroll your team in CHAT at chatcertificate.com
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