NCCBI News

NCCBI Offers New Book on Employee Policies

NCCBI has just announced publication of “Model Employee Policies and Forms,” a book that should be very valuable for North Carolina employers. The 350-page volume and accompanying CD with more than 145 downloadable policies and forms is the definitive guide on human resources policies, forms and postings in North Carolina.

“While there are many form books and other resources to go by in circulation today, they do not focus specifically on best practices for North Carolina employers. This book does,” says Kimberly J. Korando, lead author and head of the Employment, Labor and Human Resources Group at the 90-lawyer, Raleigh-based Smith Anderson law firm.

“Our state has a long and proud history of laws that give companies many rights that do not exist in other states. Being able to take full advantage of these rights while at the same time achieving employer of choice status, legal compliance and smart risk management begins with smart policy drafting. We developed this book with these goals in mind,” adds Korando.

The policies, forms and commentary included in the book reflect best practices for complying not only with North Carolina law but also with federal laws that apply to employers in North Carolina. The book offers something to all North Carolina employers, small and large, start-up and well-established. Small start-ups will find that they can download and customize the policies into a complete and first-rate handbook ready for distribution within hours. Larger companies and experienced HR professionals can use the commentary and model policies in reviewing, modifying and upgrading their existing policies.

Information on policies and related forms that should be cross-referenced, related training and risk management topics and helpful agency websites are also included. Additional chapters are devoted to general policy drafting and documentation topics, and include a comprehensive list of record retention and workplace posting requirements. “In developing the commentary, we took a just-in-time training approach — providing the reader clear, concise need-to-know guidance on why the topic is important, traps for the unwary and specific legal compliance, risk management and corporate culture issues that should be considered in drafting them,” according to Korando.

“NCCBI is pleased to offer this wonderful resource to our members. We expect it to become North Carolina employers favorite and most useful guide of workplace policies, forms and postings,” says Rosemary Wyche, NCCBI vice president of development. The publication may be ordered online at www.nccbi.org, or by phone 888-225-6030.

Beasley Named Chamber Executive of the Year: Bruce Beasley, president of the Wilson Chamber of Commerce, was named “North Carolina Chamber Executive of the Year” at last month’s annual meeting of the Carolinas Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives at Sea Trail in Sunset Beach.

Beasley, a member of NCCBI’s board of directors, was presented the award by Susanne Sartelle of the Greenville-Pitt Chamber, a previous winner and also an NCCBI board member. NCCBI President Phil Kirk, one of those nominating Beasley for the honor, said, “Bruce is committed to making our state better. He understands the need for chambers to be active in public policy issues, especially economic development and education. He is a tenacious, outspoken, hard worker.” Sartelle said, “In some ways, (Beasley)  breaks the mold of the traditional chamber executive . . . so what drives his success and the success of his chamber. It is his passion for community and his unrelenting commitment to making a difference.”

Jim Bilyak, president and CEO of the Sandhills Area Chamber of Commerce, was elected president of the CACCE.

Weyerhaeuser, Progress Energy Executives Named to Board: Mike Edwards of Ft. Mill, S.C., vice president of fine paper manufacturing for Weyerhaeuser; and William D. Johnson of Raleigh, executive vice president, general counsel and secretary of Progress Energy, have been appointed to the NCCBI Board of Directors to complete unexpired terms. Edwards replaces J. Clark Plexico and Johnson replaces his boss, Bill Cavanaugh, and also will take Cavanaugh’s seat on the Executive Committee.

Edwards, who has a 33-year career in the pulp and paper industry, came to the Plymouth mill in 1997 from the Prince Albert Pulp and Paper Complex in Saskatchewan, Canada. He also has held positions in Great Britain.

Johnson joined the Raleigh-based utility in 1992 and currently is responsible for legal, regulatory affairs, public affairs, administrative services and environment, health and safety at Progress Energy. Before joining the utility, he was a partner in the Raleigh office of the Hunton & Williams law firm.

Technology Conference: “B2T: The Business To Technology Conference,” the only event in North Carolina that connects business leaders with leading, market-ready technology companies, will be held Sept. 18-19 at the McKimmon Center on the campus of N.C. State University in Raleigh. The conference is presented by Business Leader magazine and the N.C. State Computer Training unit in cooperation with NCCBI. The conference for C-level executives and IT manager will feature presentations by computer experts, scholars and media professionals. Programming for the conference includes a series of “how to” roundtable discussions. To register and to learn more about the conference, visit www.theb2tconference.com.