The Workforce Connection Employer Resource Center—in collaboration with the Siskiyou Modoc Regional Department of Child Support Services—sponsored an employer seminar on October 30th on “Payroll Reporting Requirements.”

Thirty employers came to hear Ron Coldwell, Tax Administrator for the Employment Development Department, discuss new hire reporting, information to be reported, reporting timelines, the difference between employee and independent contractor status, and other employment tax-related issues.

Mary Ann Neveu, Community Outreach Coordinator for the Siskiyou Modoc Regional Department of Child Support Services, spoke on how to deal with wage assignments and an employer’s legal responsibilities regarding compliance.

The Workforce Connection’s Employer Resource Center concluded 2002 by sponsoring the Legislative Update/Year-End Recap seminar presented by Frank Sanderson, California Regional Manager of TOC Management Services. Paid Family Leave (SB 1661), Age Discrimination (AB 1559), Workers’ Compensation (AB 749), and Sick Leave (SB 1471) were among the topics presented in this informative workshop.

Of particular interest to employers was the new Paid Family Leave Act (SB 1661). Beginning July 1, 2004, employees who take time off from work to care for ill family members, or to bond with a newborn, or a newly placed child, will be eligible for disability insurance benefits for six weeks under the new Family Temporary Disability Insurance (FTDI) Program. The benefits are offered to all eligible employees, regardless of the size of the employer. The program will operate from a special fund of the State Disability Insurance Program. Employees will contribute to the fund through withholding from their paychecks beginning January 1, 2004. Most eligible employees will receive 55% of their weekly salaries for up to six weeks after a seven-day waiting period. The provisions of the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the California Family Rights Act (CFRA), and the California pregnancy leave law still apply. Employees who are eligible for leave under FMLA and CFRA must take leave under the FTDI concurrently.

Feedback was great and employers are looking forward to the next seminar scheduled for late February on Hiring and Firing.

The Workforce Connection’s Employer Resource Center is sponsoring three business “How-to” workshops designed to help businesses put their best foot forward! The classes will run for three consecutive days, from 6-8 p.m., at the Workforce Connection Community Employment Center Lab.

The classes offered are Web Page Design, MS-Publisher and MS Power Point. Paul Shelton, Employer Information Analyst, will be teaching the classes beginning January 14th and running through January 30th.

Although, the class size is limited to 6 attendees per session, the response to the courses offered has been great. All classes are currently full and a waiting list has begun for the next session.

Employer of the Quarter

Siskiyou Custom Milling

Curt Judkins, along with his wife Sheila, opened Siskiyou Custom Milling in Yreka about 3 years ago. Curt worked for Hi-Ridge Lumber and was a Plant Supervisor for 10 years when they closed their doors due to the economic conditions in the lumber industry. Working in the wood products area for 26 years gave Curt great experience. Moving was an option, but Curt and Sheila really wanted to stay in the area as their children were still in school and “this is home” to them. After interviewing with a company out of the area that made fencing products, Curt decided to research the option of starting his own mill. He visited and inquired into 5 other companies and decided, “I can do this”—and he did!

About 6 months after starting Siskiyou Custom Milling, Curt hired his first STEP employee, and since has trained and hired 2 more. Two of them have gone on to other positions with the skills that they have learned through Curt and Siskiyou Custom Milling. Curt stated that “Brenda and the staff at STEP are awesome to work with; they do an excellent job of pre-screening for the type of business that we have. Everyone has worked out great.” This service has helped make his business successful, especially considering the time spent on training and retention.

Siskiyou Custom Milling prides itself on being “family type company” and produces cedar fencing, decking and siding, with custom cutting of orders available. Curt stated that 100% of the timber comes from Siskiyou County, and 90% of his business is from local customers. Quality work is a top priority, and as is the case in most small businesses, advertising is by word-of-mouth. Siskiyou Custom Milling is also an environmentally friendly business—everything they make is recycled; the sawdust and wood chips are sold for landscaping, unusable stock is bundled for firewood, and whatever is left over is used for biomass. “Nothing goes to waste around here.”

"Old Computers" Get New Homes

Choices for Children

Choices for Children gears its services to families and children in crisis through its Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program and family support services. “Our family services division involves working with the parents of children who have been removed from the home who want to get their kids back and create a more stable environment,” stated Director Diane Gleason. “As family advocates, we hook them up with the services they need so that they can comply with their court ordered plans.”

A building renovation project that began more than a year ago has been completed. A plan was developed for a community-use computer lab that will contain a database of services for families. The computers have been donated for this purpose by Siskiyou Training and Employment Program (STEP).

Butte Valley High School

Butte Valley High School was also a recipient for “old” STEP computers. They will be used by the students for the Students Recycling Used Technology (StRUT) program. The StRUT program involves students receiving donated computers and components, and evaluating, repairing, refurbishing, and upgrading them. After refurbishing, the students involved in StRUT then donate the equipment to other local schools.

Renee Barr has been promoted to Lead Vocational Advisor at STEP. Renee has worked at STEP for 12 years, and was honored as Employee of the Year for 2001. As Lead Vocational Advisor, Renee will assist in the development of educational and training services for adult or youth clients, and will work closely with social service agencies and other service providers. Congratulations Renee.

Each month for the last year, Workforce Connection customers who “got a job” have entered a drawing for a beautiful, large basket full of goodies to help out with starting that new job! Items include such things as a prepaid phone card, alarm clock, daily planner, toiletries, gas vouchers, and much more!

Jessica Kendrick, a STEP Youth Program participant, was surprised to have both a job AND be the winner of the “Got a Job” basket. Jessica is a student at Discovery High School in Yreka. She completed a work experience assignment at the Yreka Family YMCA. At the end of her work experience, the YMCA hired Jessica to work in their Child Watch Center.

Jessica feels that her participation in the STEP Youth Program played a major role in her success. She learned many valuable skills including job seeking skills, job retention skills, and how to be a valuable employee.

“I love my job,” says Jessica. “I work in a great atmosphere and the kids are so much fun! Being in the STEP program gave me the opportunity to experience work and to end up getting a real job!”