A Note from our President, Lynn Ward |
Dear Chamber Member,
It's been a busy last few weeks and we aren't letting up. On Wednesday, March 15, we have our 40th Annual Business Women's Forum, our keynote speaker Rebecca Minkoff, a fashion designer. There's still time to register. Don't miss out on this all-day event. Attendees will gain valuable leadership training and other professional development skills. You can still register by calling the Chamber at 203-757-0701.
Thursday, March 23 we will be hosting our Mayoral Luncheon featuring Waterbury Mayor Neil O'Leary. The Mayor will be providing an update on City projects. You won't want to miss this one. Register here.
Are you a new member or want to learn more about how to get the most out of your Chamber membership? Join Chamber staff on Friday, March 24 from 8 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. for "Master Your Membership." You can register here.
Thank you everyone who has responded to our annual Membership survey. If you haven't yet filled out the short survey, please consider doing so, as it helps us better understand our members and how we can continue being a better resource for you. Participants will be entered into a raffle for a $100 gift card to a Chamber Member restaurant of their choice.
Our Chamber Wellness Challenge begins on April 1 and runs through June 30. This is a great way to get motivated to walk each day and to incorporate some healthier habits into your routine. Scroll down for additional details.
Lastly, save the date for our 133rd Annual Meeting, which will take place on Tuesday, April 25 from noon until 2 p.m. at the Country Club of Waterbury.
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You can reach me, as always, at (203) 757-0701 or lward@waterburychamber.com. Keep scrolling for this month’s updates and events to take full advantage of what our Chamber has to offer.
Thank you, more than ever, for your continued membership,
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In This Issue:
- President's Note
- Upcoming Events
- Chamber Wellness Challenge
- Benefit Spotlight
- A Message from Newsletter Sponsor: Post University
- HR Corner
- Welcome New Members
- Upcoming Events & Opportunities
- Watertown Oakville Chamber
- Southbury Chamber News
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Join Us! - Upcoming Chamber Events |
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Business Women's Forum
Wednesday, March 15
11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Aqua Turf Club
556 Mulberry Street, Plantsville
Register by calling the Chamber Offices at 203-757-0701.
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Mayoral Luncheon
Wednesday, March 23
5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Courtyard by Marriott Waterbury Downtown
63 Grand Street, Waterbury
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Master Your Membership
Friday, March 24
8:00 a.m. to 9:15 a.m.
Chamber Offices
83 Bank Street, Waterbury
Zoom option available
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133rd Annual Meeting of the Waterbury Regional Chamber
Tuesday, April 25
noon to 2 p.m.
The Country Club of Waterbury
Additional details to come.
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18th Annual Naugatuck Chamber Duck Day
Sunday, June 4
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Downtown Naugatuck
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Travel to Greece Fall 2023
October 27 to November 4
Optional Satorini Island Extension: Nov. 4-6
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Chamber Wellness Challenge: April 1 to June 30
Register Now!
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We invite you to join the Waterbury Regional Chamber team and walk with us in the 4th Annual Chamber Wellness Challenge, which runs from April 1 through June 30. |
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Moving Day – Walk 5,000 steps a day for 91 days
For 2023 we are happy to announce the 4th Annual Chamber Wellness Challenge that focuses on Teamwork and walking a minimum of 5,000 steps per day. The Moving Day challenge rewards each participant with one Chamber Point for each day they walk at least 5,000 steps. After 91 days the chamber with the highest average number of points per participant will win the CWC Trophy. The top 3 chambers will earn donations to their Charity of Choice.
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Step-It-Up – Walk at least 725,000 steps over 91 days |
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In addition to the Moving Day Challenge, we are happy to announce the Step It Up Challenge (a second challenge) for those who want to challenge themselves to walk at
least 750,000 steps over 91 days (an avg of 8,241/day). Also…we know many are competitive and thus the Step It Up Challenge will allow individuals to see where they
stand on the leader board each day. This challenge will run simultaneously with the Moving Day Challenge. Those meeting the 750,000 steps goal will be entered into the closing ceremony raffle for fun prizes. Also, we’ll recognize the Top 3 finishers (based upon total steps) with a donation to their charity of choice.
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Chamber Member Benefit Highlight |
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Message From Newsletter Sponsor: Post University |
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Post University Students Awarded the 2023 Business Women's Forum Jaci Carroll Scholarship |
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Post University is pleased to announce that its students Jenna Abeyta, Jennifer Riquelme and Alyssa Hughes have been selected as the 2023 Business Women’s Forum (BWF) Jaci Carroll Scholarship recipients. This annual scholarship is awarded to women pursuing a degree at Post’s Malcolm Baldrige School of Business who have demonstrated academic excellence.
On March 15, at the BWF’s 40th annual leadership conference, the three women will receive their scholarships of $2,000 each.
“It is an honor to be a part of a scholarship program that provides students the recognition and confidence to continue pursuing their dreams,” said Camille Dumont, director of the Center for Career and Professional Development at Post and a member of the Business Women’s Forum Board. “I’m continuously impressed by the Business Women’s Forum for its amazing work to inspire, energize and support the next generation of women in business. I am confident that these young women will continue on their path to become powerful business leaders.”
Abeyta, from Aurora, Colo., is pursuing her bachelor’s in accounting, Riquelme, from Fairfax, Va., is pursuing her bachelor’s in business administration and Hughes, from Staten Island, N.Y., is pursuing her bachelor’s in business administration with a concentration in human resources.
The BWF is part of the Greater Waterbury Chamber of Commerce Foundation. BWF’s mission is to raise scholarship funds for the female students at Post pursuing a degree in business. Over the past 37 years, more than of $210,000 in scholarships have been granted to worthy recipients.
The 40th Annual Business Women’s Forum is the largest and longest running full-day conference for women in Connecticut. For event details, tickets and more, visit the Business Women’s Forum website at https://ctbwf.com/.
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HR Corner: NLRB Finds that Broad Non-Disparagement and Confidentiality Restrictions Violate the NLRA |
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The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) recently issued a ruling in McLaren Macomb (2023) finding that broad confidentiality and non-disparagement clauses in severance agreements violate the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA).
In McLaren, a hospital furloughed 11 employees and offered them each a severance agreement and general release that contained standard confidentiality and non-disparagement provisions. The NLRB held that merely offering a severance agreement that contained unlawful confidentiality and non-disparagement provisions violated the NLRA. The Board reasoned that conditioning the receipt of severance benefits on the “forfeiture of statutory rights plainly has a reasonable tendency to interfere with, restrain, or coerce the exercise of those rights.” The NLRB’s decision overruled prior decisions holding that such provisions are only illegal in certain cases.
The NLRB’s decision applies to all employers, regardless of whether the employer has a union or not. However, the decision only applies to “employees” under the NLRA and does not apply to workers who are properly classified as supervisors or managers under the Act.
What does this decision mean for employers? There are a few takeaways:
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Review/Revise Confidentiality & Non-Disparagement Provisions: The decision does not outright ban confidentiality and non-disparagement provisions. Rather, the decision provides that such clauses are permissible only if they are “narrowly tailored.” Therefore, employers should review the confidentiality and non-disparagement provisions included in severance agreements provided to non-supervisory employees to determine if it they are overly broad. If so, employers should consider removing the provisions or narrowing them to be compliant with the NLRA.
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Consider a Savings Clause: Employers may wish to include a provision explicitly stating that the severance agreement does not preclude an employee from assisting or communicating with employees or former employees about terms or conditions of employment and does not preclude the employee from filing a charge with the NLRB. Such a “savings” clause will likely not exculpate employers who include overbroad provisions, but it can help mitigate risk.
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Severability Clauses: Severance agreements should include a severability clause stating that any provision found to be unlawful or unenforceable shall be construed narrowly, and the remaining provisions shall continue to be given full force and effect.
Despite the NLRB’s ruling, some employers may do nothing and wait to see if the decision is challenged in court. This is especially true for non-union employers where the practical risk that such provisions are challenged is lower than for unionized employers. However, employers that do not revise or eliminate overly broad language face the risk of legal challenge. Employers are well advised to consult with their employment counsel to determine the best approach.
This information is for educational purposes only to provide general information and a general understanding of the law. It does not constitute legal advice and does not establish any attorney-client relationship.
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A warm welcome to our newest members!* We encourage you to connect with them soon and see where your next partnership can be!
*Joined 2/7/23 to 3/14/23
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- Tuesday, March 21 at 2 p.m. - Parley Manor at the Lutheran Home, 990 Main Street North, Southbury, CT
- Friday, March 24 at 2:30 p.m. - Waterbury Flower Shop - 335 Meriden Road, Waterbury, CT
- Friday, March 24 at 4 p.m. - European Wax Center - 100 Main Street North, Suite 101, Southbury, CT
- Friday, March 31 at 11 a.m. - Let's Talk and Paint - 720 Wolcott Street, Waterbury, CT
Come help your fellow Chamber Member celebrate their opening, renovation completion, or milestone!
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On March 6, the Southbury Chamber held a ribbon cutting to mark the grand opening of Gyre 9's new home in Southbury. The open house featured a visit from Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz and several area legislators. You can read more about the event in this Republican-American news story. |
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Watertown Oakville Chamber News |
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The Watertown Oakville Chamber has launched a free Wake Up Your Business networking series. The first one was held on March 3 at the Itty-Bitty Cookie Company. The next event will be held on Friday, May 5. You can register here. |
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Hiring & Training Programs Available |
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Having a hard time finding qualified workers for your business? Could you use some financial assistance to offset the cost of hiring and training new workers, or training your existing workforce?
The Waterbury Regional Chamber is partnered with the Northwest Regional Workforce Investments Board to help businesses in Greater Waterbury learn more about the available hiring and training programs and whether they qualify for them. This includes providing information on posting jobs on the states CThires.com website, as well as information about Manufacturing Innovation Fund Incumbent Worker Training, the apprenticeship program, hiring veterans and on-the-job training programs.
The NRWIB also assists directly with those looking for new careers as adults or in their youth. The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) of 2014 enacted a comprehensive youth employment program for serving eligible youth, ages 14-24, who face barriers to education, training, and employment. Refer to the link below –
Interested in starting a career in IT? Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board provides FREE Training for IT credentials required for entry level positions. These opportunities along with so many more can be found on their website www.NRWIB.org
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