The Dish
A P U B L I C A T I O N O F T H E N E W H A M P S H I R E L O D G I N G A N D R E S T A U R A N T A S S O C I A T I O N
Issue No. 09
• September 2021 • Cover Photo: Red Jacket Mountain View Resort
Legal Update
Social Media Check Up
Golf Tournament Recap
OSHA Issues Updated COVID Guidance
Quick tips to communicate clearly with guests
A look back on the 32nd Annual NHLRA Golf Tournament
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page 14
page 17
Contact Samantha MacDonald at smacdonald@nhlra.com to learn more.
Inside YOUR GUIDE TO ISSUE NO. 9
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Stars of the Industry
Registration is now open
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Members Around Town
Highlights from NH's hospitality industry
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OSHA Issues Updated COVID Guidance
New guidance focuses on how employers can protect workers who are unvaccinated
Service with a smile at Liberty Lane Catering.
14 Social Media Check
Communicate clearly with this quick rundown
16 Introducing the
Maximize your membership with this new members-only tool
17 Golf Tournament
Wrapping up a successful 32nd annual tournament
19 National Food Safety
Free resources to keep diners and staff safe and healthy
Up
Winner of the Battle of the Breweries Trivia, Rockingham Brewing!
NHLRA App
Recap
Month
Celebrating 10 years at Mr. Mac's.
Cover Photo of Red Jacket Mountain View Resort in North Conway. www.nhlra.com |
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2021 Chair of the Board
Gail Batstone Owl's Nest Resort 2021 VIce Chair of Lodging
Molly Rice-Norby Woodstock Inn Station & Brewery 2021 VIce Chair of Restaurants
John Dunn Michael Timothy's Dining Group NHLRA President and CEO
Mike Somers NHLRA Director of Education and Workforce Development
Amie Pariseau NHLRA Membership Manager and Director of Workers' Compensation Trust
Samantha MacDonald NHLRA Social Media and Marketing Manager
Pamela Baker NHLRA Administration and Events Assistant
AubreyLynn Paquette 815 raised $728 for the FMAS Animal 815 raised $728 for the Shelter at their “Down for FMAS Dogs”Animal yoga Shelter at their “Down for Dogs” yoga and brunch.
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NHLRA
MEMBERS AROUND TOWN EVAN MALLET NAMED COLLABORATOR OF THE YEAR
NHLRA PRESIDENT URGES RESPECT FOR HOSPITALITY WORKERS AT PRESSER
M ike Somers joined state tourism
officials at a news conference on the fall foliage to urge consumers to be patient and kind to the businesses getting back on their feet and the frontline staff working hard to serve them.
Chef Evan Mallet was
named 2021 Collaborator of the Year, along with Gather, by the Portsmouth chamber. During the
GREAT NORTH ALEWORKS RAISES FUNDS FOR FOOD BANK AT SIX-YEAR CELEBRATION
G reat North Aleworks turned six this
pandemic, the duo created over
month with a celebration that included
10,000 meals for food-insecure
“pieing” their servers for a cause and an
Seacoast residents.
NHFB/Great North kitchen takeover! In total, they raised more than $1,200 - equal
CULINARY EDUCATORS VISIT ATLANTIC GRILL
to 2,400 meals!
RED ARROW DINER RECOGNIZES EMPLOYEES AT INAUGURAL APPRECIATION EVENT
The Red Arrow Diner recently
celebrated its staff members at a company-wide staff appreciation barbeque. Employees celebrating milestones he NHLRA's Amie Pariseau T stopped by Atlantic Grill along with staff from MA Prostart and
with the company – including 20+, 15, 10, and five-year anniversaries – were specially recognized.
the American Culinary Foundation
The five-hour event was the first annual employee appreciation for the
to discuss how all three groups
Red Arrow Diner and featured food, beverages, and activities, such as a
could work together to provide
cornhole tournament, sumo suits, dunk tank, and more. Management
virtual and in-person training to
also raffled off $5,000.00 in $100 increments to present employees.
students and educators. www.nhlra.com | 6
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LEGAL UPDATE
OSHA Issues Updated COVID Guidance MOSTLY THE SAME RULES, JUST A DIFFERENT DAY
By Christopher T. Vrountas, Esq. and Allison C. Ayer, Esquire, Vrountas, Ayer & Chandler, P.C.
Nearly a year and a half since the pandemic began, and government continues to revise guidance and rules for businesses who must continue working in a challenging environment. COVID continues to impact our everyday lives, at home and at work.Just when we think we understand the virus and have it under control, things change again. Meanwhile, federal, state and local governments are trying to react in real time. The Occupational Health and
Safety Administration (“OSHA”), the federal agency responsible for enforcing the Occupational Health and Safety Act (the “Act”), recently updated its Guidance regarding COVID.
The new Guidance focuses on how employers can protect workers who are unvaccinated, not fully vaccinated, or are otherwise at-risk to more
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serious infection from exposure to COVID-19. As for those who are vaccinated, the Guidance expressly adopts the conclusions of the CDC that COVID infections in fully vaccinated people happen only a small proportion of the time, and are mild even when they occur. Even so, the Guidance nonetheless incorporates new suggestions for masking and testing for even fully vaccinated workers in areas of high community transmission. The good news is that the new Guidance does not materially change what employers have been advised to do for some time to keep
their workers safe from COVID. In large part, the Guidance reiterates the layered approach to COVID-prevention that we have all come to know and understand over the course of this pandemic.
“It also seems clear at this point that it will be a long time that the risk of COVID-19 can be completely eliminated. "
Here is a summary of the OSHA’s recommendations for employers as set forth in the new Guidance: 1.Vaccinate. Facilitate employees getting vaccinated, including by granting paid time off or working with local public health authorities to provide vaccinations in the workplace. Employers should follow EEOC Guidance regarding vaccination programs, including with regard to maintaining medical information as confidential and providing reasonable accommodation for religious practice and disabilities as required by law.
2. Quarantine. Make and enforce policies and procedures that require workers who are infected stay at home to prevent the risk of further transmission. Those not fully vaccinated who have been merely exposed (i.e., have had “close contact” with someone tested positive with the COVID19 virus) should be quarantined and tested immediately, even if they remain asymptomatic. If the test is negative, the exposed person should test again 5-7 days after the last exposure or immediately if symptoms develop during quarantine. Fully vaccinated people who have been exposed by “close contact” with a known positive person should get tested 3-5 days after exposure and wear a mask in indoor public places for 14 days or until they receive a negative
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test, but they need not quarantine if they remain asymptomatic. On top of that, all workers (regardless of vaccination status) with COVID19 symptoms must be quarantined at home immediately and tested as well. To facilitate quarantine, the Guidance encourages employers to ensure that absence policies are nonpunitive when it comes to COVID, and to eliminate policies that encourage works to come to work sick.For more information, refer to the CDC general quarantine guidance, and the CDC guidance specifically addressing quarantine rules for the fully vaccinated. 3. Social Distance. Implement physical distancing in common work areas for unvaccinated and otherwise at-risk workers. Distancing at least 6 feet is recommended by OSHA and the CDC. The Guidance also recommends providing transparent shields or other solid barriers at fixed work stations where unvaccinated at otherwise at-risk works are not able to physically distanced at least 6 feet. 4. Mask. Provide workers with face coverings or surgical masks as appropriate unless the task requires more significant PPE such as a respirator under applicable industry rules. Employers are also advised to suggest or require that unvaccinated customers, visitors or guests wear face coverings in retail,
restaurant and other publicfacing workplaces, and that all customers visitors or guests wear face coverings in public indoor settings where there is substantial or high transmission. The Guidance adopts the CDC recommendation that even fully vaccinated workers wear masks in public indoor settings in areas of substantial or high transmission. The Guidance calls for employers to provide face coverings at no cost to workers who request them. Moreover, when an employer determines that PPE is necessary to protect unvaccinated and at-risk workers from exposure to COVID, the employer must provide PPE in accordance with relevant mandatory OSHA standards, and in accordance with other applicable industryspecific standards. 5. Ventilate. Improve the ventilation system as necessary to reduce the concentration of viral particles in indoor air, because COVID-19 is believed to spread more readily indoors. The Guidance suggests CDC’s Ventilation in Buildings and the
OSHA Alert: COVID-19 Guidance on Ventilation in the Workplace as a place. 6. Clean. If someone in the physical facility within 24 hours is suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19, employers should follow CDC cleaning and disinfection recommendations.Mandatory OSHA standards set forth in 29 CFR 1910.1200 and 1910.132, 133 and 138 for hazard communication and PPE must also be followed. 7. Train. Educate and train workers on COVID-19 policies and procedures to be implemented in the workplace to protect against COVID-19 hazards, and use disabilityaccessible format as appropriate. Training should include at a minimum, education on basic facts about what COVID is and how it spreads, as well as the importance of distancing, ventilation, vaccination, face coverings and hand hygiene. 8. Report. Under OSHA reporting regulations, employers are required to www.nhlra.com | 10
record and report work-related cases of COVID-19 on OSHA’s Form 300 logs. This reporting requirement applies if 1) the case is a confirmed case of COVID-19, 2) the case is workrelated, as defined by the Act, and 3) the case involves one or more relevant recording criteria (e.g., medical treatment, days away from work).Importantly, these reporting and recording rules do not apply to COVID-19 vaccines symptoms. This means that employers need not record worker side effects from COVID vaccinations at least through May 2022. 9. No Discrimination or Retaliation. Avoid discrimination, retaliation, or reprisal of any kind against an employee for speaking about unsafe working conditions or reporting a COVID-19 infection or exposure to the employer or a government agency. Such discrimination and retaliation are prohibited by the Act.The Guidance also suggests implementing procedures and protocols to protect against discrimination and retaliation, including by setting up an anonymous process for workers to voice concerns about COVID-19 related hazards. Beware: it could be unlawful– by soliciting protected and private health information - for employers to try to figure out which employees are high-risk for COVID-19 infection. 10. Accommodate for Disabilities. Employers should provide reasonable
accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act for qualified workers with disabilities who, because of a disability, cannot be protected by vaccination, cannot be vaccinated or cannot use face coverings. 11. Mandatory Standards. Follow all mandatory OSHA standards for protecting workers from infection, including requirements for PPE, respiratory protection, sanitation, protection from bloodborne pathogens, and OSHA’s requirements for employee access to medical and exposure records as more fully set forth in the Act.
also seems clear at this point that it will be a long time that the risk of COVID-19 can be completely eliminated. Employers should therefore incorporate safety protocols that help minimize the risk of COVID-19 to their workers so that businesses can stay open and function as close to normal as possible given the new, continuing reality of COVID-19.
250 Commercial Street, Suite 4004 Manchester, NH 03101 (603) 782-8444 www.vaclegal.com
Except where a rule is clearly indicated as mandatory, the new OSHA Guidance is merely advisory in nature. Still the Act’s General Duty Clause requires employers to provide workers with safe and healthy workplaces free from recognized hazards that are causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm.Employers should therefore follow OSHA’s Guidance. And they should do so, not just for those who are unvaccinated or at-risk of serious infection, but for all workers at least while there is high community transmission. The new OSHA Guidance does not advocate for safety procedures that are that different from what has been recommended by the CDC, OSHA and state and local health departments all along. It www.nhlra.com | 11
Your input matters. The NHLRA is working closely with various organizations to collect data that will shape important recovery efforts. If you haven't already done so, please take a few minutes to complete any of the surveys below that apply to you. Your time and consideration are appreciated!
NH SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER SURVEY
Take survey
NASHUA REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION SURVEY Take survey
*Survey closes on October 1, 2021. www.nhlra.com | 12
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QUICK SOCIAL MEDIA CHECK UP If your property's hours, days, and menu are changing this fall, avoid customer confusion and save your staff time by making sure you've updated or are taking advantage of these social media tools. By Pamela Baker, NHLRA Social Media and Marketing Manager
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GOOGLE MY BUSINESS Have you claimed your free Google My Business listing yet? If not, claim and complete your listing and make sure the information is accurate. This is often the first thing customers see when they search for your business. For restaurants, optimize your business page by: Listing current hours and days open Updating your menu Adding or editing the "Dine-in," "Takeout," "Delivery," "No-contact delivery," and "Curbside pickup" attributes Accepting online food orders through your Google Business profile For lodging: Manage your current health and safety attributes, like enhanced cleaning and minimized contact Highlight special features that consumers might be looking for this fall, like flexible booking
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FACEBOOK Don't let an important post about new hours or a temporary closure get lost in your newsfeed - pin it to the top of your page! Enable automated messages to FAQs like ordering options and hours open to save time. Offer digital gift cards through your page Set up online ordering Update hours and days open
INSTAGRAM 3
Set up "quick replies " to answer frequently asked questions you receive via Instagram DMs Set up food orders on your Instagram profile Highlight a story to keep an important update at the top of your page permanently
Register here.
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32nd Annual NHLRA Golf Tournament Some days at the office are better than others! With over 114 players on a picture-perfect day in the White Mountains, the 32nd Annual NHLRA Golf Tournament was one for the books! Among the highlights, players enjoyed breakfast, lunch, and prizes under a sweeping 5,200square-foot reception tent at Owl's Nest Resort in Thornton, complete with views to the east, west, and north to Franconia Notch. They also enjoyed a day on the state's
only Jack Nicklaus-designed course. We're grateful to our sponsors for helping us bring everyone together, and to our host, Owl's Nest Resort. In the end, we raised critical funds for the National Restaurant Associaton's Restaurant Advocacy Fund, which will be used to promote and protect our industry's interests at the state and local levels. Thank you to everyone who joined us, and we hope to see you next year!
The winners of the Michael J. Tinios Cup!
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Attendees got an exclusive first look at the NHLRA's new app.
Thank You to Our Sponsors! Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast Heartland Sysco The Bedford Village Inn and Grand Boutique Hotel Performance Foodservice Gordon Food Service High Liner Foods Clark-Mortenson Owl's Nest Resort Granite Financial Partners Clark & Lavey Benefits Solutions Roedel Companies
Sprague Grey Goose 1800 110 Grill Great North Aleworks Flatbread Company M.S. Walker CGI Business Solutions US Foods Galley Hatch Tinos Kitchen + Bar Grill 28
Appalachian Mountain Club Bedford Village Inn Clark-Mortenson Coca-Cola Common Man Crown Tavern Flatbread Company Gordon Food Service Great NH Restaurants Horizon Beverage Company Jumpin’ Jay’s Fish Café
M.S. Walker Martignetti Companies Michael Timothy’s Dining Group NH Distributors NH Rocks Owls Nest Resort Palace Theatre Performance Food Group Southern Wine & Spirits The Beach Plum US Foods
Thank You to Our Goody Bag and Raffle Donors!
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National Food Safety Month 2021
This year's theme: KNOW SAFE & SHOW SAFE
Download free resources on the topics below at foodsafetyfocus.com. Week 1
Cleaning. Sanitizing. Disinfecting. Sponsored by Tork ®
Week 2
Cleaning and Sanitizing Equipment Sponsored by Ecolab ®
Week 3
Week 4
Cleaning and Sanitizing Dishes Sponsored by Ecolab ®
Cleaning and Sanitizing Your Operations Sponsored by Ecolab ®
Webinars The Foundations of Cleaning and Sanitizing Your Restaurant
Creating and Implementing a Cleaning Program
You can never be too prepared to keep everyone safe with proper procedures.
Learn why a master cleaning program is important and how to create one.
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Be safe with ServSafe
NHLRA's ServSafe Manager Certification Course Help your team protect against foodborne illness with the NHLRA's ServSafe training. The program blends the latest FDA Food Code, food safety research, and years of food sanitation training experience. Managers learn to implement essential food safety practices and create a culture of food safety. Certification is valid for five years and satisfies the "Person in Charge" requirement of the New Hampshire Rules for the Sanitary Production and Distribution of Food.
CLASSES AROUND THE STATE Through a third-party vendor, HRFoodSafe, the NHLRA regularly holds ServSafe training classes. Classes are offered monthly in Concord, Manchester, Nashua, and Portsmouth and throughout the year in Lebanon and North Conway.
ON-SITE PRIVATE CLASS OR EXAM If you have five or more employees, we can hold a ServSafe class or exam at your location. For more details, email Amie Pariseau at apariseau@nhlra.com.
Register or find a class near you at: https://www.nhlra.com/servsafe.html
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HAVE A QUESTION OR CONCERN? Membership in the NHLRA means being a part of the only organization in the state dedicated to protecting, promoting, and educating our hospitality industry. Contact us for questions or to share what issues are affecting your business. We're here for you.
GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS: Mike Somers msomers@nhlra.com MEMBERSHIP AND WORKERS' COMP: Samantha MacDonald smacdonald@nhlra.com EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT: Amie Pariseau apariseau@nhlra.com SOCIAL MEDIA AND MARKETING: Pamela Baker pbaker@nhlra.com ADMINISTRATIVE AND EVENTS: AubreyLynn Paquette apaquette@nhlra.com NHLRA OFFICE: (603) 228 - 9585 info@nhlra.com
MEMBER SOLUTIONS Save time and money with NHLRA's endorsed service providers. MUSIC LICENSING Members save up to 20% off music licensing fees for BMI and 10% off SESAC. HEALTHCARE SOLUTIONS Lower healthcare spending by 20% while improving employee experience through our Association Health Plan. COMPLIANCE PORTAL Including risk management and safety tools, compliance support, and templates for training and safety manuals. DENTAL INSURANCE Save up to 25% on dental insurance rates through our group buying program. 401(k) PROGRAM Establish a 401(k) program with minimal overhead under an NHLRA umbrella plan. CREDIT CARD PROCESSING Receive a discount of up to 10% off of processing fees. LIQUOR LIABILITY INSURANCE Save up to 20% off your liquor liability insurance premium. PROPERTY INSURANCE You may be eligible for a 5% discount on property insurance. MUSIC LICENSING Members receive an exclusive 10% discount on the subscription price and a 30-day free trial. LEGAL SERVICES 30 minutes of free legal advice per incident, issue, or matter. Need to retain their services? Receive a discounted rate. WORKERS' COMP INSURANCE Our self-funded worker's comp trust returns dividends (on average) of 20-35%. www.nhlra.com | 23
SEPTEMBER RENEWALS AND NEW MEMBERS Thank you to these renewing members!
Welcome to these new members!
Alternative Sales Corp. Ames Farm Inn Best Western Executive Court Inn China Palace Restaurant Common Man Family Dunkin Donuts - Londonderry Galley Hatch Restaurant Holiday Inn Express & Suites - Merrimack Lopstick Mike's Libby Bar & Grille Moat Mountain Portsmouth Brewery Portsmouth Gas Light Co. Seasons Resort SNHU Arena Stonehurst Manor Inc. Windjammers Seafood Restaurant
Kington 1686 House Rosewood Country Inn Second Brook Bar & Grill
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16 Centre Street Concord, NH 03301 | (603) 228 - 9585 | nhlra.com