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Employer Vaccine Mandates: What Your Business Needs to Know (November 10, 2021)

Since early September, when the White House directed the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to develop a new Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) implementing new vaccine mandates on businesses with at least 100 employees, questions about the ETS have been myriad while answers have been hard to come by. To ensure businesses get the answers they need, the NC Chamber hosted a webinar on November 10: “Employer Vaccine Mandates: What Your Business Needs to Know” to unpack the impacts of OSHA’s ETS on North Carolina. Watch here.

Return to Work: How Has COVID-19 Changed the Workplace? (June 22, 2021)

With North Carolina’s recent lift of COVID-19 restrictions and vaccinations underway, developing reopening strategies and return to work policies after the pandemic is top of mind for business leaders across the state. No matter if the business operations take place in an office environment, retail store, hospitality setting, healthcare or a manufacturing facility, the pre-pandemic workplace has undeniably changed for the future. To assist organizations in forming their plans and protocols, the NC Chamber collaborated with industry leader Ecolab, on a webinar: “Return to Work: How Has COVID-19 Changed the Workplace?” Topics included best practices for balancing employee expectations, maintaining safety, and managing physical space. Attendees gained perspectives from safety, operations, HR, and compliance experts and hadthe opportunity to address issues impacting their business directly during a Q&A session. Watch here.

Vaccine Rollout: Workplace and Legal Implications Webinar (March 9, 2021)

As North Carolina progresses in Phase 3 of COVID-19 vaccine administration to essential workers, job creators and employers across industry sectors are considering repercussions on their workplace and operational practices, including legal consequences. Business leaders and legal experts — Nathan A. Huff, Partner at Phelps Dunbar LLP, and Michael D. McKnight, Shareholder at Ogeltree Deakins convened to further unpack the potential effects on organizations and to review the implications of vaccine distribution to this critical segment of our state’s workforce. Webinar resources can be accessed here.

Remote Work Beyond COVID-19: Practical and Legal Considerations (November 18, 2020)

HrSimple is hosting a webinar on November 18th at noon CST/ 1 p.m. EST. During this session, Greg Grisham from Fisher Phillips covered how remote work has and will affect labor and employment laws during and after COVID-19. The below topics will be covered.

  • How to avoid lawsuits and charges,
  • maintaining legal compliance when it comes to remote work, and
  • how to help employers deal with the challenges of managing a remote workforce.

Recording unavailable for this webinar.

COVID Liability Legislation Update (July 30, 2020)

With the urging of the NC Chamber, the General Assembly has enacted multiple pieces of legislation that address COVID-related liability claims in North Carolina.

On Thursday, July 30, the Chamber is hosted an interactive webinar on with several experts who described and explained the legislation, it’s breadth, and its limitations. Recording unavailable for this webinar.

The Evolving Workplace During COVID-19 (June 30, 2020)

On June 30 at 1 p.m., Bridget Pennick and Emily Pontius from Fredrikson & Byron will cover reviewing and revising handbooks to conform to new leave requirements, furloughs, layoffs, and unemployment. They will also discuss:

  • continuing obligations to provide leave and accommodations under the ADA, FFCRA, and FMLA
  • modifying the workplace to minimize risk, and
  • adhering to CDC and state-specific requirements (social distancing, masks, employee screening, etc.)

Recording unavailable for this program.

NC COVID-19 Rapid Recovery Loan Program (June 5, 2020)

On June 5 at 11 a.m., join Golden LEAF President Scott Hamilton, BEFCOR Executive Director Elain Fairman, and NC Senator Natasha Marcus (Dist. 41 in Mecklenburg County) for information and resources regarding the NC COVID-19 Rapid Recovery Loan Program. Businesses are encouraged to visit https://ncrapidrecovery.org/ to apply or for answers to frequently asked questions. Recording unavailable for this program.

Preparing for a Safe Return to Work (June 4, 2020)

This webinar is jam-packed with concrete and actionable advice that will help businesses in all industries optimize their relaunching strategies. The NC Chamber thanks Mindy Schestag, director of operations at Manpower North Americafor taking the time to share these valuable insights. Watch here.

EPA and CDC Disinfecting Best Practices

Are you ready to reopen safely? If you’ve already relaunched your operations, are you using best practices to promote the health and safety of your employees and customers?

Join Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Deputy Director Dr. Margaret Kitt for a teleconference on Thursday, May 28, detailing the latest EPA and CDC guidance on reopening businesses.

This complimentary teleconference is limited to the first 1,000 participants and is open only to members of the NC Chamber and South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, including members of local chambers. Recording unavailable for this program.

COVID-19:  Reopening Best Practices for Businesses

On Thursday, May 14, at 3 p.m., Michael McKnight, employment law expert and shareholder at Ogletree Deakins, and Veronica Bryant, Environmental Health (EH) preparedness and outbreak coordinator for the NC Division of Public Health for reopening best practices.  Watch Here.

  • This presentation will cover liability traps to avoid as businesses relaunch in the new environment, including employee health and safety issues, leave laws, retaliation concerns, and best practices to minimize risk in these areas.
  • Also discussed will be the proper disinfecting procedures, social distancing recommendations, hand hygiene, and other best practices as we move to reopen.

COVID-19: Laboratory Testing for Virus Presence and Antibody Response (May 6)

On Wednesday, May 6, at 11 a.m., join Labcorp Chief Medical Officer Dr. Dorothy Adcock and Vice President of Employer Services Heather Provino for an overview of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Tailored to business leaders, the presentation will help distinguish laboratory testing for the presence of virus and its antibody response. LabCorp will also provide options for testing available to employers as they prepare for responsible re-entry of employees as the state re-opens its businesses. Scientific information regarding COVID-19 is evolving rapidly and the information provided in this presentation will be accurate as of early May 2020. Watch here.

Education: The Road to Recovery and Resiliency (May 5)

COVID-19 forced numerous industries to quickly re-think the delivery of products and services. One of the biggest shifts occurred in education, with more than two million students in public or private schools and universities shifting to a virtual learning, at-home format. Join us Tuesday, May 5, at 2 p.m. as education leaders discuss the impact of COVID-19 on our state’s education systems and what the road to recovery looks like. Speakers include Peter Hans, president of NC Community Colleges; Dr. Randy Woodson, chancellor of NC State University; and Dr. Anthony Jackson, superintendent of Vance County Schools and NC Superintendent of the Year. Watch here. 

North Carolina’s Road to Reopening: Aligning Health Policy and Business (April 30)

On Thursday, April 30, at 2 p.m., join Dr. Mark McClellan, Director of the Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy, for an overview of the current health system response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He will be joined by Dale Jenkins, CEO of Curi and former chair of the NC Chamber, to outline a roadmap to reopening North Carolina and the country, sharing ideas on how policymakers and the business community together can help ensure the well-being of our communities. Watch here. 

COVID-19 Response & Recovery: Legislative Update from NC’s Elected Leaders (April 27)

On Monday, April 27 at 11 a.m., join NC legislators for an analysis of COVID-19’s impact on the statewide business community, as well as a preview of upcoming legislative priorities. Participants include NC Senators Chuck Edwards and Paul Newton, as well as Representatives Pat McElraft and Michael Wray. Watch here.

COVID-19 Relief Resources for Small Businesses (April 23)

Join Thomas Stith, North Carolina director of the U.S. Small Business Administration, on Thursday, April 23 at 11 a.m. for an overview of relief resources available to small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Watch here. 

What to Expect from Washington: USDA Official Talks COVID-19 Response (April 21)

On Tuesday, April 21 at 3 p.m., join Assistant Secretary for Congressional and External Relations, Ken Barbic, for an insight on what the U.S. Department of Agriculture is doing in response to the COVID-19 outbreak for the agriculture community.  Key topics addressed on the webinar include: Food supply challenges and the USDA’s efforts to align the interests of various stakeholders across supply chains to ensure continued production and delivery of agricultural products;  The impacts of COVID-19 on H-2A temporary agricultural workers;  Federal relief programs impacting agriculture, including the Families First Act, the CARES Act, the Paycheck Protection Program and the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program; Ongoing discussions in Congress about a potential Phase 4 bill to provide additional relief to U.S. businesses, including the agriculture sector.  Watch here.

Ask The Experts: The COVID-19 Economy—Slowdown or Shutdown? (April 16)

On Thursday, April 16 at 2 p.m., Richmond Federal Reserve President and CEO Tom Barkin will join renowned North Carolina economist Dr. Michael Walden and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC Managing Director & Senior Economist Mark Vitner to provide a candid economic outlook for our state and nation in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hear their insights and bring your questions regarding the impact of COVID-19 on our economic landscape. Time for Q&A will be allotted. Watch here.

Overview of CARES Act Tax Relief for Businesses (April 8)

Experts from Smith Anderson and Martin Marietta offer details regarding tax relief for businesses through the CARES Act. Watch here.

Paycheck Protection Program: What You Need to Know (April 2)

The North Carolina Bankers Association discusses the federal assistance available to small businesses through the Paycheck Protection Program and the CARES Act. Watch here.

A Breakdown of the CARES Act for Small Business (March 27)

National Small Business Town Hall Presented by Inc. and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Watch here.