Legislative, Leadership, Hiring Advice Imparted at PPC Forum

SPRINGFIELD, MA—November 30, 2012—From November 14-15, 2012, human resources managers attended the Paperboard Packaging Council (PPC)’s Human Resources Forum in Chattanooga, TN. At the conference, industry professionals offered healthcare reform and labor law updates; advice on continuity planning for an aging workforce; and a live demonstration of virtual interviewing. Participants also shared best practices in pre-employment assessment and developing apprenticeships, and toured Southern Champion Tray’s state-of-the-art facility in Chattanooga, TN.

To begin the meeting, Stacie Caraway, employment law strategist and litigator at Miller & Martin PLLC, discussed key concerns in labor and employment law. She advised that human resources managers should regularly assess employee handbooks to be sure they reflect changes in the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) guidelines. Managers should also review job classifications to determine differences between exempt, non-exempt, and independent contractor positions, and frequently conduct supervisor training in accordance with changing Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) standards.

Ann Bowers-Evangelista, president of Llumos LLC, discussed how most companies are still unprepared for the number of Baby Boomers who are expected to soon retire, and recommended that companies assess how this inevitable talent shortage will affect their business. She then suggested that firm succession strategies be implemented to bring younger employees up to speed.

Finally, Greg Rokos, president of GreenJobInterview, explained the advantages of interviewing candidates by video, which is especially useful when a company identifies a qualified candidate from outside the local area, as it can save on airfare, lodging, and travel expenses. An initial video screening can even help cull local candidates before an in-office interview.

“Staying abreast of changing labor laws, legislative updates, cultural shifts in employment, and technological developments in hiring is no easy task,” commented Ben Markens, president of PPC. “We were pleased to see attendees depart with numerous actionable tools for immediate use at their offices.”

For more info, visit www.ppcnet.org/HR.

Paperboard Packaging Council (PPC)
Now in its 83rd year, PPC is the leading industry association serving suppliers and converters of all forms of paperboard packaging. PPC works to grow, promote, and protect the paperboard packaging industry while providing its members with resources and tools to compete effectively and successfully in the marketplace. For more information, call (413) 686-9191 or visit www.ppcnet.org.

Source: PPC.