NOARK News

Upcoming Training Opportunities

April 25, 2019

CGWG is offering the following seminars and webinars.

The SHRM Learning System® for PHR®/SPHR® Certification Preparation

February 08, 2017

The SHRM Learning System® for PHR®/SPHR® Certification Preparation

DOL Publishes 'Persuader' Final Rule

January 17, 2017

On March 24, the Department of Labor (DOL) published the “persuader” final rule in the Federal Register. The rule will require employers to report consultant — or “persuader” agreements — to complement the information that unions already report on their organizing expenditures. The DOL says this allows for better information for workers making decisions on whether or not to form a union or bargain collectively.

HRCI INTRODUCES FIRST EARLY HR CAREER CERTIFICATION

January 07, 2016

HR CERTIFICATION INSTITUTE™ INTRODUCES FIRST EARLY HR CAREER CERTIFICATION Credential Designed for New HR Generalists and Individuals Transitioning to HR HRCI Unifies Family of Credentials by Renaming Certifications for HR Pros Practicing Outside of the U.S. ALEXANDRIA, Va. (January 7, 2016) ― HR Certification Institute™ (HRCI™), the premier professional credentialing organization for the human resources profession, is introducing the first early HR career certification, the Associate Professional in Human ResourcesSM (aPHRSM). The aPHR, which demonstrates foundational knowledge of human resource operations as practiced in the United States, is designed for professionals who are embarking on an HR career or transitioning into the HR field.

EARN 9 Recertification Credits right now!!!

December 22, 2015

Access the following free resources and earn up to 9 recertification credits NOW. 

New 941

July 17, 2020

The IRS released a revised Form 941, Employer’s Quarterly Federal Tax Return, and its instructions to be used beginning with the second quarter of 2020 (due July 31, 2020). The form has been updated to accommodate reporting of COVID-19-related employment tax credits and other relief.

ARKANSAS MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE PASSES: FIRST INCREASE SET FOR JANUARY 2019

November 08, 2018

Arkansas voted to increase the state's minimum wage rate.

Reminder: Numerous State Minimum Wage Increases Take Effect January 1, 2017

December 21, 2016

Employers should be aware that numerous states across the country have enacted minimum wage increases that will go into effect in January 2017.

It Still Hurts

May 18, 2016

On May 18, 2016, the Department of Labor ("DOL") issued its long-awaited Final Rule for overtime exemptions, focusing on the "white collar" exemptions (executive, administrative, professional and certain computer employees). The Final Rule comes after the DOL processed 270,000 public comments on its proposed rule about which we wrote you, from late last summer. The Final Rule will take effect December 1, 2016.

EEOC to Begin Collecting Wage Data from Employers

February 02, 2016

On January 29, 2016, in conjunction with the seventh anniversary of the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) proposed sweeping changes to the Employer Information Report (EEO-1) in an effort to target and enforce pay equity discrimination in the workforce. These changes will impact private sector employers and federal contractors that have 100 or more employees.

Helpful Information Available

April 01, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor and U.S. Small Business Association small business news releases related to COVID-19.

The U.S. Department of Labor's Shift in Policy: A Win for Businesses?

June 12, 2017

On June 7, 2017, the Secretary of Labor announced that the Department of Labor is withdrawing its Obama-era Wage and Hour Administrator's Administrative Interpretations addressing joint employment and independent contractors. The abandonment of those interpretations, which were aimed at extending protections to workers, marks a significant shift in favor of businesses.

March Diversity & Inclusion Update

March 01, 2023

March is Women’s History Month! This month honors the role that women like Dorothea Dix, Susan B. Anthony, Jane Cooke Wright, Mary Tape and so many others have played in American history.

February Diversity & Inclusion Update

February 01, 2023

The month of February is full of famous birthdays and history from the past.

January Diversity & Inclusion Update

December 27, 2022

Let’s start the year off right by highlighting some diversity dates for the first month of the year.

December Diversity & Inclusion Update

November 28, 2022

December marks an important time of year for many groups of people around the world. Find time this month to learn and share about different types of celebrations!

November Diversity & Inclusion Update

November 01, 2022

As Thanksgiving approaches, this is a fitting November diversity celebration. Native American Heritage Month celebrates the culture and heritage of native people who enrich this country.

HR Professional Magazine - May 2022

May 11, 2022

Don't miss the May 2022 digital issue of HR Professionals Magazine featuring great articles about Payroll and HR Technology.

HR Professional Magazine - May 2021

May 12, 2021

Don't miss the May 2021 digital issue of HR Professionals Magazine featuring great articles about Payroll and HR Technology.

HR Professionals Magazine

March 09, 2021

Don't miss the February digital issue of HR Professionals Magazine featuring great articles about Payroll and HR Technology.

HR Professionals Magazine

February 15, 2021

Don't miss the February digital issue of HR Professionals Magazine featuring great articles about Payroll and HR Technology.

Pandemic Workforce Trends Survey Results are In!

January 06, 2021

During the period of October 8 – November 8, 2020, NOARK - The Northwest Arkansas Human Resources Association conducted a survey of its members and affiliates in northwest Arkansas to determine workplace trends during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.

FMLA forms available

July 20, 2020

Find all current FMLA forms on the Department of Labor website. https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fmla/forms

Governor Hutchinson Signs Three Executive Orders Concerning COVID-19 Liability and Workers' Compensation Coverage

June 25, 2020

Information courtesy of Cross, Gunter, Witherspoon & Galchus, P.C.

Internal Revenue Service issues 2019 optional standard mileage rates

December 20, 2018

The Internal Revenue Service today issued the 2019 optional standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes.

Arkansas Supreme Court Reverses and Dismisses Lower Court Ruling - Clears Road for Medical Marijuana

June 25, 2018

On Thursday, the Arkansas Supreme Court reversed and dismissed a lower court's ruling that prevented State officials from issuing cultivation licenses to businesses, which would allow these businesses to grow marijuana.

President Trump's Revised Executive Order on Travel Ban Remains Blocked

June 22, 2017

President Trump's Revised Executive Order on Travel Ban Remains Blocked

On June 12, 2017, the Ninth Circuit issued its ruling in Hawaii v. Trump, upholding the majority of the district court's preliminary injunction prohibiting the government from implementing the "travel ban" and refugee cap provisions within the March 6, 2017 Executive Order, entitled "Protecting the Nation From Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States" (the "Order").

Leadership NWACC Program Earns Best Practices Award

April 25, 2019

NorthWest Arkansas Community College’s (NWACC) human resources employee development program, Leadership NWACC, was recently recognized for Best Practices in Human Resources at the 2019 Arkansas state Society of Human Resources Managers (SHRM) Conference in Hot Springs.

Cobb-Vantress Inc: Recipient of a 7 Year Accumulative Safety Award.

November 16, 2015

Leon Jones, Jr., Director of the Arkansas Department of Labor, has announced that Cobb-Vantress Inc., Bates Mountain Farm, a division of Tyson Foods, Inc., located in Summers, is the recipient of a Seven (7) Year Accumulative Safety Award.

One Million Hours of Safety Celebrated by Springdale Dayco's Products

September 23, 2015

Dayco Products' tensioner manufacturing facility and technical center of Springdale celebrated Tuesday one million work hours without a lost time accident mark, an achievement last met at the site in March 2011.  

Northwest Arkansas Business Journal Honors Women in Business--Cammie Scott!!!

June 22, 2015

Northwest Arkansas Business Journal honors Cammie Scott with the Women in Business award

NOARK Receives Prestigious SHRM Award for Advancing the HR Profession

June 22, 2015

 Northwest Arkansas Human Resource Association (NOARK) Receives Prestigious SHRM Award for Advancing the HR Profession

MEET THE 2016 NOARK BOARD

June 06, 2016

Q: Patti as 2016 NOARK President we would like to know what keeps you up at night?

Workplace mental health Focus a growing issue -- David Duerr contributes

June 08, 2013

With depression reported as a leading cause of lost productivity in the United States, a new initiative encourages companies to invest in their workforce to gain healthier, more productive employees, as well as achieve decreased disability costs, less turnover and better retention of valued employees, according to the national coalition Employers Health.

IS THE FLU COVERED BY WORKER'S COMP? BY AMY ESTES TURNER

March 23, 2013

The Arkansas Worker’s Compensation Law has a number of primary purposes, one of which is to pay disability benefits and reasonable and necessary medical expenses to all legitimately injured workers who suffer an injury or disease arising out of and in the course of their employment. A.C.A. § 11-9-101. In determining whether these laws cover the Flu, the two key phrases to look at are “injury or disease” and “arising out of and in the course of employment”.

Perfomance Appraisals...PA's for Short by Ed Wheeler, PHR

March 23, 2013

“Performance Appraisals”.........PA’s for short. That phrase strikes fear in the hearts of Managers and Supervisors every year. Unfortunately, what they often forget about is the real value that PAs can have. Read Full Article »

4 PILLARS OF BACKGROUND SCREENING by Jeannie Baker

March 23, 2013

A question often asked, “What is the most thorough inexpensive Criminal background check?” Read Full Article »

Check out our March Newsletter 2023

March 07, 2023

Download a PDF of our March 2023 Newsletter and stay up-to-date with NOARK

Check out our February Newsletter 2023

February 08, 2023

Download a PDF of our February 2023 Newsletter and stay up-to-date with NOARK.

Check out our December Newsletter 2022

December 08, 2022

Download a PDF of our December 2022 Newsletter and stay up-to-date with NOARK.

Check out our November Newsletter 2022

November 15, 2022

Download a PDF of our November 2022 Newsletter and stay up-to-date with NOARK.

Check out our October Newsletter 2022

October 17, 2022

Download a PDF of our October 2022 Newsletter and stay up-to-date with NOARK.

Press Release: Productivity While Working from Home During COVID-19

January 11, 2021

download the latest press release from Noark about Productivity While Working from Home During COVID-19.

HR2020 & ELLA will not be held until 2021

July 21, 2020

Arkansas SHRM understands the challenges related to the COVID-19 virus, as well as the current workplace policy changes and restrictions due to the illness. The welfare of our membership and conference attendees is of utmost concern.

With this in mind, the Arkansas SHRM 2020 HR Conference and Expo and Arkansas SHRM Employment Law and Legislative Conference (ELLA) will not take place on October 12-15, 2020.

United States Supreme Court Rules That Same Sex Couples Have A Right to Marry

February 08, 2017

On June 26, 2015, the United States Supreme Court issued a landmark ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges, in which it held that same sex couples have a Constitutional right to marry.

United States Supreme Court Decides Young v. United Parcel Service, Inc.

March 26, 2015

On March 25, 2015, the United States Supreme Court issued its highly anticipated decision in Young v. United Parcel Services, Inc., 575 U.S. ____, (2015). Employers had hoped this decision would clarify whether employees with work related injuries were "similar in their ability or inability to work" for the purposes of determining the accommodation required for a pregnant employee under the Pregnancy Discrimination Act ("PDA"). The PDA requires employers to treat "women affected by pregnancy . . . the same for all employment-related purposes . . . as other persons not so affected but similar in their ability or inability to work." 42 USC § 2000e(k). However, despite a ruling from the Court, employers are left without a bright-line rule as to whether, and under what circumstances, employers that offer limited light duty to non-pregnant employees must offer the same light duty to pregnant employees.

LYNN TROWBRIDGE is the WINNER of the ARSHRM Conference Registration Giveaway!!!

March 18, 2015

Be a part of the “In Crowd” and join NOARK’s "CLUB 15" to support the SHRM Foundation

EXECUTIVE ACTION ON IMMIGRATION

November 24, 2014

President Obama recently announced a series of Executive Actions that make several important administrative changes in the immigration process that will impact employers and foreign nationals alike in several important ways. The Executive Actions create a new deferred action program for certain parents of U.S. citizens; expand the 2012 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program; increase the work options for spouses of certain visa holders; and seek to expand the visa options for highly-skilled immigrants.