By Michael Hart
 Officials from the California Employers Association (CEA) will conduct three sessions November 1–2 that will give attendees important advice on how to hire the best employees available and hold on to them. |
For retailers, distributors or manufacturers, it’s never been more urgent to have a reliable workforce. Rapid technology changes and a marketplace that becomes more competitive every day makes it vital that employers hire the right employees and keep them.
It’s a challenge. According to a recent SEMA report, 45% of retailers find it difficult to fill job openings; 32% of distributors say the same thing. However, only 22% of distributors and 10% of retailers say they have a full-time human resources officer on their staff.
That’s why the SEMA Show has taken an important step this year and introduced its new human resources track to the education program. Officials from the California Employers Association (CEA) will conduct three sessions November 1–2 that will give attendees important advice on how to hire the best employees available and hold on to them.
“Business owners have their hands full,” said CEA President and CEO Kim Parker, “and while they are experts about their own businesses, they often are not experts when it comes to employees and human resources laws.”
A good starting point will be the session entitled, “Employee Handbooks: Comply With State and Federal Laws.” The employee handbook is the most important tool employers have to communicate their expectations to their employees. Also, there are laws that must be obeyed; find out what they are.
Next, attend “Hire Right the First Time” and learn how to avoid those ugly terminations that inevitably follow when you get it wrong, along with the high cost of doing business that comes with a high turnover rate.
“One of any company’s most important assets is its employees,” Parker said. “So owners and managers need to learn how to hire employees right the first time.”
Finally, don’t miss “Bras, Boyfriends and Tattoos in the Workplace.” What do you tell Susan when she shows up for work without a bra? What do you do when Steve has a new tattoo that could offend customers? How do you manage the myriad situations that arise when you deal with real-life human beings in your workplace?
“We’re here to support employers,” Parker said. “Help them learn how to manage their employees and reduce the risk of liability when it comes to enforcing employment laws.”
Visit the SEMA Career Center to find qualified employees or to jump-start your job search.
For complete information on all the 2016 SEMA Show education tracks, visit SEMA Show Education.