Day: January 7, 2019

By Mark Adams

The ripple effects of the government shutdown have started to come to bear on employers.

Specifically, due to the partial government shutdown that began on Dec. 22, 2018, the E-Verify system is not available. According to the E-Verify site, operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), “E-Verify is currently unavailable due to a lapse in government appropriations. While E-Verify is unavailable, employers will not be able to access their E-Verify accounts. We apologize for any inconvenience and look forward to serving you once we resume operations. For more information, see E-Verify Unavailable.”

During the shutdown, employers will not be able to enroll in the program; access their E-Verify accounts; create a case; view or take action on any case; add, delete, or edit accounts; reset passwords; edit company information; terminate accounts; or run reports. Workers will not be able to resolve E-Verify Tentative Nonconfirmations (TNCs) during the shutdown.

In addition, myE-Verify will be unavailable, and employees will not be able to access their myE-Verify accounts.

To minimize the burden on both employers and employees, DHS announced that:

• The three-day rule for creating E-Verify cases is suspended for cases affected by the unavailability of the service;

• The time period during which employees may resolve TNCs will be extended. The number of days E-Verify is not available will not count toward the days the employee has to begin the process of resolving their TNCs; and

• Federal contractors with the Federal Acquisition Regulation E-Verify clause should contact their contracting officer to inquire about extending federal contractor deadlines.

Further information about what is and is not available online can be found at www.e-verify.gov/e-verify-and-e-verify-services-are-unavailable.

The shutdown does not affect an employer’s responsibility to verify employment eligibility through the Form I-9. Employers must still complete the Form I-9 no later than the third business day after an employee starts work for pay and comply with all other Form I-9 requirements.

Once the government operations fully resume, DHS will notify employers with additional guidance regarding the ‘three-day rule’ and time period to resolve TNC deadlines once operations resume.

Mark Adams is director of HR Services for the Employers Assoc. of the NorthEast (EANE), an Agawam-based company that provides resources for organizations to maximize employee engagement and retention while minimizing risk.

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Greg Chiecko, director of Sales at the Eastern States Exposition (ESE), has been named president and CEO of the Outdoor Amusement Business Assoc. (OABA), the mobile amusement industry’s trade association.

The announcement was made by the OABA board of directors following a comprehensive executive search. Chiecko succeeds longtime OABA President Robert Johnson, and will embark on his new career on Feb. 1.

The OABA is the largest trade association representing carnivals, circuses, concessionaires, independent ride owners, and others who serve fairs, festivals, and community events.

“Greg’s diverse professional industry experience, proven leadership, and business acumen gained at Eastern States Exposition, coupled with his affable leadership style, make him the ideal president,” said Jay Strates of James E. Strates Shows, chairman of the OABA.

Chiecko’s 24-year career at ESE included the oversight of midway operations at the Big E. He worked closely with the OABA and other industry associations and is past board member of the International Assoc. of Fairs and Expositions, and past president of the Massachusetts Agricultural Fairs Assoc. and the New England Assoc. of Amusement Parks and Attractions. He also sits on the board of the Greater Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau and served as its chair for five years.

“I am honored to be named president and CEO by the OABA board of directors,” he said. “My priorities will be to strengthen the communications and relationships between carnivals and fairs in order to forge long-lasting and mutually beneficial relationships and continue to improve regulatory advocacy, member services, fundraising, and networking opportunities.”

Added Eugene Cassidy, president and CEO of the ESE, “while this is a loss to Eastern States Exposition, it is a plus for one of our collateral trade associations and is good for our industry. I am proud that ESE hatched the new leader of the OABA, and I’m proud of Greg. Eastern States Exposition stands in strong support of the OABA and Greg.”

The Eastern States Exposition, a year-round trade and consumer show facility, is the home of the Big E, the sixth-largest fair in North America, which takes place Sept. 13-29, 2019 in West Springfield.

GREAT BARRINGTON — Friday, Jan. 11 is National Learn to Ski and Snowboard Day. Since 2009, more than 1 million children and adults in more than 30 states have participated in this initiative, and Ski Butternut is a host this year.

By offering an all-inclusive package on rental, lesson, and lift tickets on Jan. 11, Ski Butternut makes it affordable and easy to get started skiing or snowboarding. That day, anyone age 4 and up can purchase a $10 package which includes a beginner-area lift ticket, first-timer 90-minute group lesson, and rental equipment (skis or snowboard) to use for the day. This is a savings of $65 off the regular first-timer package price sold throughout the winter season.

“By supporting this great initiative on January 11, we hope people of all ages will come share our passion for skiing and riding,” said Dillon Mahon, director of Marketing for Ski Butternut. “Our aim is to provide a fun and easy experience to people so that they become life-long winter sports enthusiasts.”

Call (413) 528-2000, ext. 111 for more information, or go to Ski Butternut dressed warm and ready to learn. Upon arrival, report to the rental building to purchase the $10 package and be issued ski or snowboard equipment. Ski Butternut’s operating hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays, and group lessons will be offered at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2 p.m.

CHICOPEE — Elms College will host a workshop to help salespeople and business leaders maximize their effectiveness with customers on Thursday, Feb. 28 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Faculty Dining Room in the Dooley College Center.

The three-hour “DiSC for Sales” workshop, sponsored by the college’s MBA program and the Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership (CEL), will be led by Nancy Davis, Business Development specialist at CEL.

DiSC for Sales is a model that supports people in sales roles and helps them to recognize and understand their own unique strengths and style, while also helping them build relationships with clients by learning to read each client and adapt to connect with them better. The model offers a concrete method and practical tools to help businesspeople engage with all personality styles.

During the interactive workshop, Davis, a certified DiSC facilitator, will offer educational content, examples, activities, and opportunities for sales-oriented people to recognize customer priorities, what to emphasize to customers, and strategies that work with different personality styles.

“DiSC will help you discover: are you a results person, action-oriented, a relationship builder, and/or dependable?” Davis said.

Prior to the event, participants will take an online assessment and receive a full report.

The cost to attend is $199 per person, which includes the workshop and dinner. Space is limited. Register by Friday, Feb. 15 by e-mailing [email protected]. For more information, e-mail Davis at [email protected].