Retaining Employment and Talent After Injury or Illness

On November 10th, Workforce Snohomish, and regional partners will be hosting a Retaining Employment and Talent After Injury/Illness Network (RETAIN)webinar. RETAIN is a new federally-funded stay-at-work/return-to-work program in King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties; this program is focused on supporting workers to stay-at- or return-to-work after a non-work-related injury.   Workers may be eligible to participate in the RETAIN if they meet…

Read More

Is Childcare a Business Issue?

childcare is a business issue

Is childcare a business issue? A report shared by the Washington State Department of Commerce that indicates that “Yes” is the short answer. The FME Chamber also held a virtual forum with a panel of speakers with interests in childcare. Watch the full zoom call with our expert panelists, who are introduced below. Speakers on…

Read More

Education and Skills Training from Green River College

Green River College offers many diverse options for growth through education, skills training and workforce development. The chamber wanted members to know what they do, so they were the Spotlight this week in our C3 meeting. Green River College is a unique school and Austin Joy and Justin Core shared some of its attributes. GRC…

Read More

Impact WA Announces Aid for Manufacturers

Without a doubt, the Chamber is happy to share more relief that Impact Washington is sharing with our manufacturing businesses. They’ve previously informed us of grants that were available to manufacturers. They’ve helped us understand how broadly the definition of manufacturer can be. And now, Impact Washington Announces Availability Of $1.2M In CARES Act Funds…

Read More

$2.4M Available for Training Programs

Please consider this opportunity. And if you already have monies budgeted for staff development, education, or training, you can’t ignore this! Your business recognizes that your “new normal” means that you need to go through some adaptations. In order to grow and thrive as we work past this pandemic, change is imperative. You have some…

Read More

Laid Off?

Unemployment has seen a massive spike with Covid-19, but efforts at relief are making it slightly less painful. If you have lost your job, then read on. The CARES Act provides businesses with an incentive to retain employees through the PPP (Paycheck Protection Program). Additionally, Unemployment Insurance is now said to be on steroids. For…

Read More

CARES Act

With the $2.2 trillion stimulus package signed today, there is tremendous relief available for small businesses, who are struggling to keep their employees on payroll. Congress has approved the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. It allocates $350 billion in emergency loans for small businesses to help them keep workers employed. In fact,…

Read More

Suddenly Unemployed?

As businesses and employees are all wondering what’s next, there has been a sudden high demand for unemployment insurance. If you or your employees are being laid off, there is help for navigating Unemployment Insurance. A series of WebEx sessions will be available online to help individuals set up accounts, file online, understand requirements and…

Read More

Childcare Issues and Workforce

As I tuned into the AWB’s (Association of Washington Businesses) Workforce Summit webinar today, one of the sessions was about Childcare costs. Without a doubt, this is an issue with which employers and employees have continuous struggles. Since my kids are older, I had not thought a lot about it during this current crisis, but…

Read More

Workforce Woes? Meet Invista Performance Solutions

FME Chamber has a new member, and I am excited for this partnership. But there are not nearly enough people in our business community who know what they do. Their vision, according to Don, “is to be a trusted partner and an asset to our community.” They collaborate with local community colleges provide customized business…

Read More

C3 – Learn about the Trucking Industry

Last week, I’d had a long day. I was tired, wanted to get home, but still needed to stop to grab milk on my way home. I was behind a semi on I-5 and while I was cursing that I was driving slower than I wanted, I noticed the bumper sticker. “If you don’t like…

Read More

C3 Meeting – Fife Underage Substance Abuse Coalition

On Tuesday, Feb 4, Tori McDermott Hale spoke at our C3 meeting. Fife has been identified as a high-risk community for youth who struggle with substance abuse and mental health concerns. How does this affect business? And what can we do about it? There are a couple of areas where these problems, in relation to…

Read More

Washington Paid Family & Medical Leave

Paid Family and Medical Leave is a benefit for almost all employees in Washington. Starting soon, on January 1, 2020, employees can apply to receive this benefit through the Employment Security Department. Accordingly, employers are required to make sure that your employees have information about the program. This poster from www.paidleave.wa.gov is downloadable and printable.…

Read More