NASBA Approves Avant Resources as CPE Provider

The National Association of State Boards of Accountancy has approved Avant Resources Business Education as a registered sponsor of internet-based group training. The approval follows a rigorous review process in which NASBA scrutinized Avant's content, methodology and marketing for compliance with NASBA standards. The approval means certified public accountants and other professionals can qualify for CPE credit for designated Avant Resources webinar programs. Avant Resources is also an approved provider of HR training through the Human Resources Certification Institute and of continuing legal education (CLE) in Tennessee and other states.

Avant Resource Business Education is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be addressed to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors, 150 Fourth Avenue North, Suite 700, Nashville, TN, 37219-2417. Web site: www.nasbatools.com.

Obama's Big Changes for the Workforce

The Obama administration is pumping out enough workplace regulations to keep us all busy for the next several years. For employers, the regulations will mean higher costs and bureaucratic entanglement. The changes you can expect to see are:

• OSHA: The agency will launch new initiatives on ergonomics. This initiative may even include another attempt at having a specific rule on repetitive motion injuries.
• Wage and Hour: Employers should anticipate quicker and more extensive investigation of employee complaints with the Labor Department adding 250 more Wage and Hour investigators.
• Discrimination: A broader definition of "disability" will expand protection under the ADA. Another EEOC regulation would impose restrictions on health risk assessments (HRA's), a key component of employer's wellness programs.
• Union Issues: Some form of the Employee Free Choice Act is likely to pass Congress. Also, a pro-labor stance by the National Labor Relations Board will revisit key decisions made by the Bush appointees. Other possibilities include legislation to overturn a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision on age discrimination along with legislation banning employer discrimination based on sexual orientation. Staying up-to-date on these issues and others has never been more important. Please visit Avant's webinar link to find a topic that interests you.

Body Language and Business

The words we say count for only 7 percent of the impact of our spoken communications while body language counts for 55 percent of the message impact, attendees at a recent Avant Resources webinar on interviewing skills learned. Attendees received a set of Body Language Cards, an innovative flash-card-style learning tool. An in-depth look at body language is planned for a future Avant event, but in the meantime Avant customers are being offered a special discount on the card set and training booklet package: Body Language Cards.

Federal Contractors and the Obama Administration

The Department of Labor issued a proposed regulation that would require most federal contractors to notify their employees of their rights under the National Labor Relations Act (“NLRA”). The regulation is mandated by an executive order which was signed by President Obama in January. Under the proposed regulation, all federal contractors and subcontractors must agree as a condition of their U.S. government contracts to post a lengthy notice detailing employees’ rights under the NLRA, including the right to form, join or assist a union and to strike and picket. The proposed notice describes employer conduct that is unlawful under the NLRA, such as prohibiting employees from soliciting co-workers to join a labor union during non-work time and from wearing union hats, buttons and shirts in the workplace. Finally, the proposed notice directs employees to contact the National Labor Relations Board if they believe their rights have been violated.