From the Director
Happy Tuesday everyone! This past week has been largely focused on the transition and preparing to leave things in order for departure. Thanks to those who have sent kind words of encouragement. I have truly enjoyed being in your service and know that you are in good hands as the board lays the best foundation for the future. We also welcomed some new Chamber Members and recognized a business relocation this week. Check out the story below for details. One of those businesses reported receiving a call from someone claiming to be the Nebraska Department of Labor, attempting to sell a set of labor law posters for $189. Youch! While businesses with employees are required to post such posters, they can be downloaded for free from government websites and printed right in your business. Here are the most commonly required posters. P.S. It's time to be making your reservations for the Fourth of July kickoff luncheon scheduled for Tuesday, June 2. See the details below. Complying with the Law Recently, I revised the Chamber's employee manual. In the process I found that in Nebraska, LB757 (sections 48-443 and 48-449) and the Nebraska Workers' Compensation Act require any business with an employee to establish a Safety Committee. This committee should be comprised of an equal number of employer and employee representatives, and should meet annually (as a general rule), or quarterly for any 12 month period following an injury, death or workman's compensation claim.
By statute, the committee is limited to assisting the employer by making recommendations regarding methods of addressing safety or health hazards at each work site. So, in other words, the management retains control to make final decisions on policies, procedures and programs, but this committee shall be in place to provide balanced suggestions. Pursuant to the Act, a business must also publish and make available a written injury prevention program. This document does not have to be large. It is important for all businesses to put a committee or plan together; if your business were to have a claim for an incident in the workplace, state officials should ask to see meeting agendas, minutes and reports, as well as your written injury prevention program. Consumer Patterns Survey The Seward Area Chamber of Commerce and Seward County Economic Development are working together with an intern from UNL and the economic development team from NPPD to administer and analyze a survey that will give us data to help drive the overall vision and strategic direction for our downtown area. The study will be conducted in three phases. First from this Memorial Day through the Fourth of July, volunteers will be talking to folks in downtown Seward to gather information about their visit. The second phase of the study will involve surveying Merchants. The third phase will focus on property owners. Within the next week, the survey will also be available on the homepage at SewardNE.com for those not able to take the survey in person. Be watching for details in an upcoming issue of the Seward County Independent. Tire Recycling Mark your calendar for the next Seward County Tire Recycling Day, scheduled for July 1, 2015. Times and details to be announced.
- Charles
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