July/August 2017 Newsletter by Greater Rochester Chamber

Voice of Business Newsletter

July/August 2017

Rochester Chamber Debuts CLIMB Young Leader Program

reater Rochester Chamber of Commerce launched the Chamber Leadership Initiative: Mentoring for Business young leaders program, also known as CLIMB. The ten-month experiential mentorship program is designed to connect young professionals with business leaders across multiple sectors of the Finger Lakes economy to facilitate perspective, collaboration, and growth. Top businesses that have committed to participating in the program include Wegmans Food Markets, Constellation Brands, Genesee Brewing Company, LiDestri Food and Drink, and more. Rochester Chamber President and CEO Bob Duffy said, “CLIMB is more than just an acronym for this program. It’s a description of how it can elevate young professionals to the next level of their careers. Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce encourages its member organizations to send their emerging leaders to CLIMB for a professional development experience like no other in the region.” CLIMB, which begins in August 2017, gives participants an inside look at local success stories directly from top executives and their teams through nine signature events. Community and political leaders will also weigh in on crucial issues facing the Finger Lakes region.

What’s your networking style? Click on Upcoming Events at the top of our website for series details!

Get ready to “XLR8” critical leadership skills with trainer Andrew Brady, an expert on Positive Psychology who has worked with Fortune 500 companies such as Wegmans Food Markets. Tailored coaching will hone in

on personal strengths and opportunities to foster relationships, communication, and the “inner compass” of our CLIMB participants. They’ll travel the diverse Finger Lakes region in style aboard the “Executive Coach” from LINQ, our official CLIMB transportation partner—with amenities such as Wi-Fi, charging stations, multimedia, and more. At the conclusion of the program’s first class

in May 2018, participants will be invited to serve a one-year term on the Rochester Chamber Future Leaders Advisory Council. Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce Office of Future Leadership Manager Shannon Ealy said, “The energy, creativity, and passion of our area’s young professionals is matched only by the knowledge, experience, and success represented in our business community. Rochester Chamber’s CLIMB program will connect future leaders to the network and skills they need to take their careers and the Rochester and Finger Lakes region into a bright future.” The cost of CLIMB is $1,600 per participant and includes materials and attendance at all events. Applicants must submit a resume, letter of intent to participate in CLIMB written by the applicant, and letter of recommendation from the employer or supervisor to Shannon. Ealy@GreaterRochesterChamber.com by close of business July 17, 2017. Class size is limited to 25 participants and subject to selection by the Rochester Chamber management team. All applicants will be notified and the program will begin by the end of August. Learn more about CLIMB including the full event itinerary at http://bit.ly/CLIMB2017

inside New member profile: Genesee Valley Physical Therapy

College campuses adopt tobacco-free policies

411 on Paid Family Leave Program

Rochester Chamber releases “We #ROC” brag book

2016-2017 Board Officers Rob Sands, Chairman of the Board Constellation Brands, Inc. John Pitton,Vice Chair Bank of America Brian Flanagan, Second Vice Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer Nixon Peabody LLP

Senior Staff

Robert J. Duffy President and CEO

Bill Anderson Sr. Director, Membership, Sales, and Events Bill.Anderson@GreaterRochesterChamber.com Colleen DiMartino Chief of Staff/Manager of Administrative Services Colleen.DiMartino@GreaterRochesterChamber. com Kevin Donahue Director, Membership Kevin.Donahue@GreaterRochesterChamber.com Susan George Director, Events and Affiliate Relations Susan.George@GreaterRochesterChamber.com Burt Parks Sr. Director, Business Services Burt.Parks@RBAstaffing.com Kathy Richmond Sr. Director, Human Resource Services Kathy.Richmond@GreaterRochesterChamber. com Nina Shelton Director, Group Health Insurance Nina.Shelton@GreaterRochesterChamber.com Dan Smith Sr. Director, Communications Dan.Smith@GreaterRochesterChamber.com Tammy Stefani Chief Financial Officer Tammy.Stefani@GreaterRochesterChamber.com Chris Wiest Vice President, Public Policy and Advocacy Chris.Wiest@GreaterRochesterChamber.com Kristin Graves, Newsletter Editor Voice of Business is the official newsletter of Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce, published at 150 State St., Rochester, NY 14614. Articles printed are for information only and are not intended to render legal advice.

July/August 2017

From the CEO

everal leaders in the Rochester business community recently participated in discussions about economic development across the Finger Lakes region. We talked about reports on our region’s economic progress that vary from favorable to challenged in terms of the gains we are making. One study that we read shows the Rochester and Finger Lakes region’s economic progress as weaker than some other upstate communities. While studies are important to analyze, discuss, and learn from, it is difficult to determine where we really stand today by studies and reports alone. I say this because my wife and I recently took a road trip to visit family in Alpharetta, Georgia and what I saw first-hand on this southern swing told me more than any report I could read. Our first stop was in Greenville, South Carolina. In our day and a half in Greenville, I was truly impressed by the lively downtown with sidewalks filled at all times of the day and night. Restaurants and retail businesses lined the streets with patrons of all ages coming and going. Driving into Greenville, I saw several ongoing construction projects and passed by a large BMW manufacturing plant and other manufacturing companies. After spending just a short time in Greenville, I came away with a very favorable impression of that community and region. I was struck by the energy, growth, and activity that we witnessed. I have a high school friend who relocated his business from the Rochester area to Greenville within the last few years. He told me that the savings he realized by moving out of New York allowed him to hire two new employees in Greenville to help grow his business. His story is an example of the benefits of the positive economic climate in that region. Following our stay in Greenville, we drove the 140 miles to Alpharetta, Georgia, about 30 miles north of Atlanta. My wife’s sister and her husband have lived there for several years. Throughout our drives around the area, I was astonished by the level of construction and economic activity that I witnessed. We could not drive more than a few blocks without seeing cranes in the air, new housing developments, and businesses under construction. It was startling how much was

going on. One observation I made as we talked in the car driving around is that there cannot be one unemployed construction worker in the Greater Atlanta region. Each housing development Bob Duffy we saw seemed more beautiful than the next. While housing there certainly comes with a higher price tag, the property taxes are a fraction of what we pay here in New York, allowing people to own more home. Yes, upstate construction work is seasonal and sometimes spotty at best. However, I do not believe weather is a main factor in why our friends in the south are outpacing us in economic development. It is simply a different philosophy and energy that I saw down there. I wouldn’t call the cost of living in the areas I visited as cheap, but you can see and feel the growth all around you. It’s palpable. Sometimes we become accustomed to what we experience every day and look at little signs and steps of growth as positive, but to visit areas like Greenville and Alpharetta that are seeing explosive growth was very thought-provoking. My takeaway was not just the cost differentials between our states, but the question, “why are other regions doing so well, while we struggle to promote consistent economic growth at home?” While there is no single or easy answer to that question, it takes federal, state, and local governments, academia, our business community, and our voters to truly start looking at what we can do differently to bring an explosive turnaround to our region. New York State, led by Governor Cuomo, has recently pledged nearly one billion dollars of investment in the Rochester and Finger Lakes region. That commitment is a truly appreciated catalyst for growth. However, it takes more than this huge investment to make the difference that we need. The push for change must go deeper. We need to look for ways to spark new growth. We must evaluate taxes, regulations, (Continued on p. 4)

Voice of Business Rochester Chamber Participates in Ridesharing Roundtable

reater Rochester Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Bob Duffy participated in a panel discussion on ridesharing and 21st Century urban planning strategies along with other business, government, and community leaders. Rochester Chamber member Uber and the City of Rochester Department of Neighborhood and Business Development hosted the event at City Hall. Topics discussed at the roundtable included issues such as reduced parking infrastructure, urban residential incentives, public safety impact, traffic congestion mitigation, and air quality improvement. Duffy said, “Ridesharing technology is about convenience, affordability, safety, and jobs. The business community benefits from reliable customer and employee transportation that increases access throughout the region. In combination with our other transit services, ridesharing will enhance our region’s economic future by providing flexible job opportunities and more transportation options for travelers. Public safety should also improve through decreased drunk driving. Rochester Chamber is excited to welcome chamber members

Uber and Lyft to our region.” The New York State legislature approved ridesharing in upstate communities in this year’s state budget. A second effort in the legislature accelerated the timeline, allowing service providers to start operations in time for the Independence Day holiday. Uber New York Senior Policy Manager Josh Gold said, “Ridesharing will bring safer, reliable transportation options for Rochester riders and flexible economic opportunities for Rochester drivers. We can’t wait to give New Yorkers what they have been clamoring for this summer!” Visit Rochester President and CEO Don Jeffries said, “One of the things that most excites us about ridesharing is the potential to connect visitors in Rochester to parts of the community that have traditionally been less accessible without a car.” Following the roundtable, about 250 people interested in learning more about driving with Uber attended a job fair at City Hall.

Former Xerox Executive Presents on Disruptive Innovation

reater Rochester Chamber of Commerce presented the biz. Exchange Professional Development Series event “Innovate or Die” by RIT Saunders College of Business Senior Lecturer Bob Boehner. The former Xerox executive talked about disruptive innovation in business. Boehner said, “Failure is possible. Disruption happens. New technology will in an inexorable way potentially disrupt a company’s business. Be aware of the possibility of failure and be on alert for disruptive patterns. There is a pattern to the disruption of contemporary businesses and incumbent businesses. We recognize that pattern. We can anticipate it happening in our own business and take the necessary steps to counteract it. This pattern has been repeated in multiple industries over multiple years.”

Boehner told those gathered that the advent of digital imaging technology disrupted Kodak, video streaming hit Blockbuster, and emerging flat screen TV technology caught Sony off guard. Boehner said, “A company as talented and as rich as Sony didn’t really anticipate this disruption. Sony, with the Trinitron, the CRT based television, really dominated tube-based TVs for multiple decades. But they were completely disrupted by Samsung and Toshiba who had taken a position in LCD displays. That’s a position of not understanding the impact of new technology and the potential of new technology and not making the right investments.” Boehner wrapped up by saying that businesses must be alert, participate in and manage disruption, and change business models accordingly.

New Member Profile: Genesee Valley Physical Therapy

ochester Chamber welcomed new member company Genesee Valley Physical Therapy in May and had a moment to get acquainted with Daniel E. Geen, PT, physical therapist, owner, and Vice President, to learn more about this business. Tell us about your company: Genesee Valley Physical Therapy (GVPT) was founded in 1987. GVPT operates seven area clinics and has access to six local YMCAs. We specialize in land and aquatic outpatient orthopedic rehab for various injuries, pre and post-surgery, non-operative care, and health/wellness initiatives. GVPT is unique in that our patients can receive a complimentary rehab membership within the JCC, Webster, and Perinton rec centers, along with six area YMCAs, reducing their cost to rehab, while under the direction of a GVPT therapist. What prompted you to join? We joined Rochester Chamber to further connect with area businesses, network, and share the cost saving initiatives that we can offer their employees and the businesses. What business challenges are you facing? Presently managing growth is our top challenge. The relationships we’ve forged over the last 30 years, and more recent, unique rehab strategies (accessing health centers) have allowed us to grow double digits in the last five plus years. Patients and employers are looking to save money with their health care costs. GVPT has been able to assist them in this area because we can transition patients more quickly to a custom independent exercise program, at home, or within one of our area health club/rec center partners, without sacrificing their rehab results. What is your business outlook? We’re off to a very good start again in 2017, already up 13% in the first quarter. The interest level at the town rec centers and the JCC has fueled this growth. We’re convenient to the members and the community because we’re onsite, meeting their needs, where they live and frequent. www.GreaterRochesterChamber.com

Voice of Business College Campuses Call it Quits - on Tobacco

he Million Hearts High Blood Pressure Collaborative, in partnership with the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce Health Care Initiative, the Smoking & Health Action Coalition of Monroe County, and the American Heart Association, hosted a celebration of Monroe County colleges and universities adopting tobacco-free policies, or moving in that direction. The event was inspired by National High Blood Pressure Education Month, National Clean Air Month, and World No Tobacco Day. RIT President Bill Destler delivered remarks along with other college presidents and representatives. Destler said, “I think we are all committed

to eliminating smoking as a recreational drug of any kind. We are doing research here at RIT that is relevant to these kinds of considerations. We are trying to dispel some myths about e-cigarettes and the use of other various kinds of paraphernalia to try to reduce the risks of smoking. For the most part, they don’t work. In any case, we need to cut this thing off at its roots and get people to kick the habit.” Along with Destler, the presidents of The College at Brockport, Monroe Community College, and representatives from the University of Rochester, Nazareth College, St. John Fisher College, and Roberts Wesleyan College said campus tobacco policies are more about wellness than demonizing smokers.

MCC President Anne Kress said, “What we’re talking about is creating an environment of healthiness so that students can learn. We could not claim to care about our students and ignore the opportunity to help ensure their future personal and professional success.” The College at Brockport President Heidi Macpherson said, “The College at Brockport has proudly been a smoke-free campus since August 2011. We try to fit this idea of nonsmoking into our idea of actively participating in opportunities for additional exercise, to monitoring alcohol use, to make sure that all of those things go into a healthy living environment.” Click here for more details.

From the CEO (cont.) and other frustrations of doing business that we have created for ourselves over the decades across New York. Perhaps other areas of the country like Greenville and Alpharetta can serve as examples of how we can make a difference here. We must create regulations that protect workers and property owners without discouraging investments and growth. This is easier said than done, but it is possible. It is impossible to spur growth in development and investments without supporting business growth. The Rochester and Finger Lakes region is blessed with an abundance of water, four

beautiful seasons, great higher educational institutions and brain power, impressive companies and industry, and very hard workers. We have every component to match anyplace across this country except perhaps the political will to make an impactful difference. While other regions across the country thrive at a pace that is hard for us to comprehend, why can we not follow suit? We cannot stand still, do business as usual, and expect to get better. One remedy that can start us in that direction is regionalized legislation. The economic climates of upstate and downstate are vastly different and so should be the regulations

that govern the two. Like New York State recently did with a split minimum wage law, other legislation impacting business can follow the same model. The Scaffold Law, workers’ compensation, and other regulations that negatively impact business come to mind that could benefit from split legislation. Let’s find a win-win. Regionalized legislation could be a huge step forward for much greater future economic vitality for upstate. With some focused changes, we can all work together in planning for the future of our children and grandchildren so we are not left further behind.

Rochester Chamber welcomes its new members A to Z Technical Solutions........................www.atoztechnical.com Alto Mart Archival Methods, LLC..............................www.archivalmethods.com Batiste Leadership .....................................www.batisteleadership.com Cornerstone Advisory Group.................www.cornerstone-advisory.com DeJoy, Knauf & Blood, LLP........................www.teamdkb.com Dex Media...................................................www.DexMedia.com Excelsior (ASG) Advisory Services Group...www.excelsiorasg.com FGB Property LLC.....................................www.FGBProperty.com Flower City SEO.........................................www.flowercityseo.com Genesee Valley Physical Therapy..............www.geneseevalleypt.com Grahall Partners LLC.................................www.Grahall.com Homes By Ryan........................................... www.homesbyryan.com

July/August 2017

Jan-Pro of Upstate New York..................www.upstateny.jan-pro.com Marktec Products, Inc................................www.marktecprods.com Mission Commercial Realty, LLC.........www.missioncommercialrealty.com Natural Face Clinics................................... www.naturalfacecenters.com Open Door Mission Inc.................................www.opendoormission.com Purolator International...............................www.purolatorinternational.com Ray Sands Glass................................................www.raysandsglass.com Rochester Academy of Music & Arts...www.RochesterMusicLessons.com Rochester Broadway Theatre League.........www.rbtl.org RocNFresh........................................................www.rocnfresh.com Sleep Number by Select Comfort...............www.sleepnumber.com Welcome To A Fresh Start LLC............www.WelcomeToAFreshStart.com

Connecting Business Rochester Chamber offers a variety of events each month. For more photos, visit our Facebook page. The YouTube logo next to the photos denotes a video posting on our YouTube channel.

Monroe County Colleges Celebrate Tobaccofree Policies

Workers’ Compensation Committee Reception

United Way Day of Caring

Rochester Chamber Speed Networking

Small Business Day in Albany

Jazz-”Y” Rooftop Bash

Chamber Business Rounds: Professional Women Leaders

Combined Sr. HR Executive Forum

The Joint Task Force Central of Ontario presented certificates of appreciation to Rochester Chamber.

Recent Member Company Visits

ABR Wholesalers, Inc. Member Visit

Alstom Member Visit

Harris Beach PLCC Member Visit

Finger lakes Technologies Group, Inc. Member Visit

Lexington Machining LLC Member Visit Alliance Precision Plastics, Corp. Member Visit

Vanteon Member Visit

Foodlink, Inc. Ribbon Cutting

Seabreeze Park Member Visit

www.GreaterRochesterChamber.com

Voice of Business Upcoming Affiliate Events

reater Rochester Chamber of Commerce is made up of employers big and small, in just about every industry imaginable. While our programs and events are designed for all, we recognize that there are times when employers and employees want to be among a smaller group that shares their specific business issues. Here are some of our affiliates’ upcoming events: Associated New York State Food Processors nyfoodprocessors.org Greater Rochester Quality Council • Aug. 9: Networking Event: Happy Hour by the Canal • Aug. 29 & 30: Quality for Leaders 2-Day Event www.grqc.org Small Business Council of Rochester • July 13: SBC Summer Success Showcase and Happy Hour at Isaac Heating & Air Conditioning • Aug. 17: SBC Summer Success Showcase and Happy Hour at Butler/Till www.rochestersbc.com Rochester Hispanic Business Association • July 18: Business Lunch with Magaly Rosario www.rochesterhba.org The Women’s Council www.ROCWomenscouncil.org

Through our affiliate groups, you can meet business people who share your interests and challenges.

July/August 2017

Young Women of Distinction Award Recipients Announced The Women’s Council, a Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce affiliate, announced the recipients of its 18th annual Young Women of Distinction Awards. The scholarship program supports the Women’s Council’s belief that young women with promise today will become tomorrow’s leaders.

The 2017 Young Women of Distinction honorees are: Claire Vega Calkins, Pittsford Sutherland High School; Amy Faville, Avon High School; Cassandra Jones, Gates-Chili High School; Olivia Spenard, School of the Arts The four top recipients, one each from the Rochester City School District, Monroe County east, Monroe County west, and the eight regional counties surrounding Monroe, receive a $2,000 scholarship and an opportunity for a paid internship at an area company.

Modeled after the ATHENA Award, the Young Women of Distinction program is designed to discover high school seniors who have displayed outstanding leadership, academic excellence, and involvement in the nine-county Rochester and Finger Lakes region.

Women’s Council President Wende Knapp, Esq., said, “This year’s class of finalists, as in years past, represent an elite group of young women, and the successes of our four recipients highlight what outstanding young leadership looks like. All of these young women provide incredible hope for the future of our community, both locally and globally.” This year’s keynote speakers were 2017 ATHENA Award recipient, Nannette Nocon, and 2017 ATHENA Young Professional Award recipient, Melisza Campos.

GRQC Presents Performance Excellence Awards

xcellus BlueCross BlueShield, Xerox LSS Steering Committee, Calero Software LLC, and the University of Rochester Medical Center led the way at the Greater Rochester Quality Council’s 11th annual Showcase and Performance Excellence Awards. GRQC, a Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce affiliate, presents the awards as a way to discover, recognize, and learn from highperforming organizations. The 2017 Greater Rochester Quality Council Award recipients are: TEAM EXCELLENCE Gold Award – Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield Silver Award – Hillside Family of Agencies Hillside Children’s Center Silver Award – Paychex Electronic Network Services Division Bronze Award – Paychex Unified

Communications Bronze Award – URMC Adult Medicine Inpatient Unit 6-1200 Pathfinder Award – The Acute Psychiatric Service Team at Rochester General Hospital OPERATIONS EXCELLENCE Platinum Award - UR Medicine Home Care Gold Award – Calero Software LLC Gold Award – Xerox LSS Steering Committee Silver Award – Kodak EPS Equipment Manufacturing Silver Award – Kodak EPS Materials Manufacturing Silver Award – Camp Stella Maris Pathfinder Award – Holy Sepulchre Cemetery CUSTOMER EXCELLENCE Pathfinder Award - URMC Healthcare System Delivery Redesign

Public Policy NYS Legislative Session Comes to a Close, Federal Health Care Reform Takes Shape By Chris Wiest Vice President of Public Policy and Advocacy

he NYS legislative session came to a close with few surprises. We are pleased to report that several Rochester Chamber advocacy agenda priorities, including workers’ compensation reform and ride hailing, saw positive action this year. Workers’ Compensation Reform. With the third highest costs in the nation, and an average 9.3% state-approved increase last year, relief from workers’ compensation costs consistently ranks as a top employer concern. Thanks largely to the work of our Workers’ Compensation Committee, Rochester Chamber played an active role in reform efforts this session. Working in partnership with other employer groups, these collective advocacy efforts paid off. Reform measures supported and advanced by Rochester Chamber were passed as part of the final budget and on May 15 the NY Compensation Insurance Rating Board recommended a 4.5% rate decrease, translating to approximately $400 million in employer savings. While more work remains to be done, these cost-saving reforms are a significant step in the right direction. To view a summary of the reforms and Rochester Chamber advocacy work click here. Ride Hailing. As one of the few remaining regions in the country without ride hailing services such as Uber and Lyft, Rochester Chamber joined with other business and community groups to push for legislation that permits the operation of these services upstate. Advocacy efforts included attendance in press events, letters of support, and Albany lobby days. Legislation authorizing upstate ride hailing passed during the budget session and a bill accelerating the start of service passed June 6. The end result is that ride hailing services are now available upstate, providing users with added convenience, accessibility,

and options for safe travel. Several other positive developments included sun setting of the 18-a utility tax, which impacted all rate payers but hit manufacturers particularly hard, and increased public transit funding for the Rochester region. Federal Health Care Reform Details from the US Senate’s newly released Affordable Care Act (ACA) repeal plan are emerging and, if ultimately passed, would significantly reshape the current law. Here are some key features of the “Better Care Reconciliation Act: Pre-existing conditions: The plan would keep the ACA requirement that insurers accept everyone and charge the same rates, with few exceptions. But it would allow states to waive other insurance requirements, including rules for what benefits insurers must cover, that could weaken protections. Insurance tax credits: ACA premium subsidies, or tax credits, which are available to people between the poverty level and four times that threshold, would be continued for two years. Eligibility would then be scaled back slightly to 350 percent of the federal poverty level and extended to more lowincome people who don’t qualify for Medicaid. Similar to ACA, the subsidies would be pegged to income. But the benchmark plan for determining subsidies would be less generous than Obamacare’s. The bill would also extend for two years ACA’s cost-sharing subsidies, which help insurers pay medical bills for low-income customers. Individual and employer mandates: The health law’s mandate that most people buy insurance or pay a penalty would be eliminated. So would the requirement for midsized and large companies to provide coverage to workers. Older customers could be charged

more: Insurers would be allowed to charge older customers five times more than younger ones for the same health plan. Under ACA, that ratio is three-to-one. Medicaid expansion: Boosted federal payments to states that expanded their programs to low-income adults would continue for three years. Starting in 2021, enhanced federal payments would then be rolled back over three years to traditional Medicaid funding rates. Thirty-one states and Washington, D.C., including NY, have expanded their Medicaid programs under ACA. Traditional Medicaid: The program covering low-income kids, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with disabilities would no longer operate as an open-ended entitlement. Starting in 2020, states could choose between receiving a block grant from the federal government or a set payment based on the number and type of enrollees. The payments would slightly increase each year, but starting in 2025, the growth rate would be lower than what the House bill prescribes. Certain populations would be carved out from the payment caps. Like the House plan, this would permit states to impose work requirements on able-bodied adults as a condition for receiving benefits. Taxes: The bill would eventually repeal most of ACA’s taxes, including the surtax on high earners’ investment income and a Medicare Hospital Insurance surtax on the rich. It would also end some industry taxes, such as those on medical devices and health insurers. The “Cadillac tax” on high-cost employer sponsored health care plans remains. As of this writing, many of the above provisions are still under negotiation. Assuming the Senate passes this legislation in the coming weeks, the House and Senate bills must still be reconciled and approved before a final version is sent to the President. Bottom line, there is still a long way to go on Federal health care reform.

www.GreaterRochesterChamber.com

Human Resources Summer Benchmarking Surveys in Progress

n mid-June, Corporate and Partner members were sent an email invitation to participate in a variety of benchmarking surveys taking place throughout the summer. Members that participate automatically receive complimentary results when released, as a benefit of membership. Below is a summary of upcoming surveys: Health Benefits Survey – This comprehensive benchmarking survey collects Rochester-area data on many health insurance topics including: average health plan premiums, domestic partner and part-time benefits, as well as questions on retiree benefits, high-deductible health plans, self-insured, and dental plans. This survey was sent to HR contacts at all Corporate and Partner member companies the week

of June 26. If your company didn’t receive the participation email but you would like to participate, please contact Jennifer Suppé. Pay Trends Survey – This annual survey reports pay adjustments (merit, cost of living, etc.) received as a percent of pay in firms giving increases. It will be sent out the week of July 10 to those members that signed up to participate. Holiday Closing Survey – This annual survey reports anticipated 2018 holiday observances by member companies. It will be sent the week of July 31 to those members that signed up.

in April 2017, so it won’t be done again until fall of 2018. For those that didn’t have the opportunity to participate, the survey is available for purchase by completing the Rochester Chamber survey order form. There is still time to sign up for and participate in all of the summer surveys. Contact Jennifer Suppé at (585) 256-4608. As a reminder, only Corporate and Partner members are eligible to participate in Rochester Chamber benchmarking surveys. To discuss options for upgrading membership, or joining Rochester Chamber, so that your company may participate in various benchmarking surveys, please contact Membership Director Kevin Donahue at (585) 256-4651.

The 2017-18 Policies & Benefits Survey was conducted in the fall of 2016 and released

2017 National Executive Compensation Survey Released

he results of the 2017 National Executive Compensation Survey were released at the end of May. This survey contains compensation and benefits/perks data for 47 top level positions. Coordinated by the Management Association, 1,464 organizations participated through 14 co-sponsors across the country. The co-sponsors are members of the Employer Associations of America (EAA). For the Rochester area, 81 Corporate and Partner members of Rochester Chamber participated in the survey. Breakout categories in the survey include: • Sales Volume (9 categories sectioned by manufacturing, non-manufacturing and all combined) • Employment Size (8 categories) • Industry (by major NAICS category) • Regions (6 categories for manufacturing and non-manufacturing) • Geographic Area (major cities where cosponsors are located including Rochester) Registration for the Sr. HR Executive Forums for Small and Large Companies begins at the end of August. HR professionals: watch your email in August for an invitation to join these valuable HR forums!

July/August 2017

The individual position reports include base pay as well as information on bonuses/variable pay, total cash compensation, and number of executives who own more than 5% stock in the company. In addition to cash compensation for each position, this report summarizes data for a variety of benefits and perquisites for two different categories of breakouts: manufacturing vs. non-manufacturing and public vs. private. A unique feature of this survey is the reporting of information on stock ownership by executives, especially for privately held organizations. Also, the supplemental information section of

the survey provides a wealth of data on short and long term bonuses/variable pay as well as information on executive salary increases, and board of director pay. Rochester Chamber member survey participants were sent an email at the end of May containing a complimentary copy of the results. Corporate and Partner members that didn’t participate, as well as other member tiers and future members, can purchase the results by completing the Rochester Chamber survey order form. Please contact Kathy Richmond at (585) 256-4618 or Jennifer Suppé at (585) 256-4608 if you have any questions, or to request a resend of the complimentary results (member participants only).

Survey Spotlight

Survey

Questionnaires Deadline Sent Date (week of) (week of)

Release Date (week of)

If you haven’t yet signed up for first quarter surveys but would like to, contact Jennifer Suppé at (585) 256-4608 or Jennifer.Suppe@GreaterRochesterChamber.com

Legal Briefing New York’s Paid Family Leave Program and What Employers Need to Know About it Sharon P. Stiller Abrams, Fensterman, Fensterman, Eisman, Formato, Ferrara & Wolf, LLP

should contact both the disability carrier and your payroll service as well to make sure the employee deductions are accurate and in place in time.

Next, you will need to develop a Paid Family Leave policy and determine how to implement it in conjunction with any other paid or unpaid leave policies. Some of the basic provisions include:

ffective January 1, 2018, New York State will have its own paid Family and Medical Leave Act. The law covers employers with one or more employees for 30 or more days in a calendar year. Since the payroll deductions supporting the law begin July 1, 2017, it is not too early to begin reviewing employer obligations. Employers of domestic or private employees in a private home must also comply after four weeks, when the worker is employed for the employer 40 or more hours per week and on each of at least 30 days in any calendar year. Ineligible employees may seek a waiver of benefits, to avoid the payroll deduction. The law is similar to the federal Family and Medical Leave Act, except: 1) it applies to smaller employers; 2) employees ineligible for federal FMLA because of length of service may be eligible for State leave and 3) a portion of employee’s wages are paid. These differences are significant, because most employers will be covered even if they are not covered by the federal FMLA, more employees will be eligible, and it is more likely that employees will take New York Paid Leave, because it is paid. The maximum employee contribution rate has been set at 0.126% of an employee’s weekly wage, up to 0.126% of the State Average Weekly wage, currently $1,305.92, which equates to a maximum employee contribution of $1.65 per week. The maximum contribution will adjust as the State Average Weekly wage changes. Because payroll deductions are imminent, employers should contact their disability carrier to assure that they have the required policy. All disability insurance carriers doing business in New York must offer the policy, and it should be tacked onto and billed along with your current disability coverage.You

• Employees who work 20 or more hours a week become eligible after 26 consecutive weeks of work, regardless of number of days worked per week. Employees working less than 20 hours a week become eligible after working 175 days. When the employee is eligible, there is no waiting period for benefits. • In January 2018, the benefit is 50% of the employee’s weekly pay capped at the State Average Weekly wage increasing incrementally to 67% by 2021. • In January 2018, the benefit is 8 weeks increasing incrementally to 12 weeks by 2021. • Leave is permissible to care for a family member in close and continuing proximity with a serious health condition (including a child, parent, grandparent, grandchild, spouse or domestic partner), to bond with a child as a result of birth, adoption or fostering; or for any qualifying exigency relating to a spouse, domestic partner, child or parent who is serving on active military duty. • Eligible employees may take intermittent leave and receive paid benefits in increments as low as one full day. • Part time employees will be eligible to receive a pro rata portion of Paid Family Leave. • Eligible employees will be required to provide at least 30 days’ notice of foreseeable leave. • Medical certification is required for family leave, but a birth certificate or adoption papers are sufficient for bonding leave. • Employee health insurance is protected during leave so long as the employee pays the employee portion of coverage, and if it lapses, the employer must nevertheless restore the employee to coverage when

the employee returns to work. If an employer has a handbook, then information about the Paid Family Leave Act must be included in the handbook. If the employer does not have a handbook, then the employer will be required to provide notice to the employee of their rights and obligations, including how to file a Paid Family Leave claim. There will also be a posting requirement. To request Paid Family Leave, employees will generally be required to complete a Request for Paid Family Leave or PFL-1 form developed by the State, although alternative forms containing the same information are permissible. Employers may offer employees the option of charging all or part of the Paid Family Leave to paid leave programs by which the employee can receive his or her full wages and if so, the employer can request reimbursement for the Paid Family Leave benefit from the insurance carrier. Whether the employee is covered by the federal FMLA or State leave or both, employees will not be able to utilize more than 12 workweeks of Paid Family Leave in any consecutive 52 week period. Claimrelated disputes will be settled by arbitration. Because a written policy is generally required, it is not too soon for employers to begin working on policies, and for employers covered by the federal FMLA, to determine how to integrate the programs. The proposed regulations were revised once and could be revised again, so you should check the final rules before implementing your policy.

www.GreaterRochesterChamber.com

Voice of Business Rochester Chamber Releases “We #ROC” Brag Book

reater Rochester Chamber of Commerce introduced its new brag book, “We #ROC: 100 Reasons to Love the Rochester/Finger Lakes Region” at its quarterly board of directors meeting. The free publication contains fun and interesting facts highlighting several categories from around the nine-county Finger Lakes region served by Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce. In the foreword, Rochester Chamber President and CEO Bob Duffy writes, “As a lifelong resident of the Rochester and Finger Lakes region, I am filled with pride about this

fabulous area. We are one of the best-kept secrets in New York State and across the country. Our pristine lakes and landscapes, four beautiful seasons, strong industries, and the brain power and talent pipeline of our colleges and universities are just a few of the reasons to love our region. This “brag book” explores ten categories of ten entries each to share just a brief glimpse into why the Rochester and Finger Lakes region is a great place to live, work, and do business. Inside, you will see how our history, present, and future are all intertwined for success. A business leader once told me that Rochester was the toughest place to get executives to come to work, and also the toughest place to get them to leave once they experienced

the many wonderful things our region has to offer. To see why, I urge you to read this book, share it, and spread the word: We #ROC!” “We #ROC”, filled with facts and photos, includes categories “Ahead of the Curve”, which highlights firsts in the region; “Business is Booming” takes a look at some of the top employers and business amenities; “Claims to Fame” lists business leaders and celebrities with Rochester ties; “Stay & Play” touches on the region’s recreation and leisure

opportunities; “Scholar-Powered” touts the Finger Lakes region’s colleges and universities; “Art Beat” focuses on arts and entertainment; “Root for the Home Teams!” celebrates Rochester-area sports teams and traditions;

bit.ly/WeROCbook

July/August 2017

“Hungry for More?” touches upon food items and companies unique to the Finger Lakes region; “Let’s Get Festive” lists some of the Rochester area’s many festivals; and “NineCounty Know-How” shares facts about each of the region’s nine counties as well as the City of Rochester. Duffy added, “When a small Rochester Chamber team gathered to create this book several months ago, we knew that there was much more great information about the region than we could fit in the format we chose. We hope “We #ROC” is just a starting point for those who want to learn more.”

“We #ROC: 100 Reasons to Love the Rochester/Finger Lakes Region” is available in digital format at bit.ly/ WeROCbook. Printed copies are available upon request by emailing Chamber@GreaterRochesterChamber. com. Rochester Chamber encourages individuals or organizations interested in print editions to pick them up at its 150 State St. headquarters. Email ahead at Chamber@GreaterRochesterChamber. com to make an appointment. Shipping fees may apply for mailing requests.

Voice of Business RBA Staffing Hosts Neighborhood Job Fair

bout 400 people attended a Neighborhood Job Fair hosted by Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce and its RBA Staffing division at Greater Harvest Church.

Greater Harvest Pastor Sebrone Johnson said, “The church cares. The community cares. Hope should never be lost. Opportunities are here in this City of Rochester and we are going to make sure that we introduce opportunity to the people. There are a number of people who have come today to spread the word that they’re looking for a job. They’re ready to work. They just haven’t had any help in that situation.” Pastors from Holy Trinity Missionary Baptist Church and New Destiny Baptist Church also invited job seekers to attend.

Holy Trinity Pastor Emmitte Myrick said, “You see the great turnout because when folks came here they were ecstatic, they were happy, and they were comfortable because they were in a situation where they feel needed and they came with an expectation because we gave them something that they can hope for.”

have so many companies right now looking for employees that have jobs available. This is how you end up making changes with the issue of poverty. You get people to work, get them engaged, and look for ways that we can overcome those obstacles.” LaMaya Austin looked for a job in customer service with the hope of someday starting her own business. Austin said, “At some point in time, I want to be one of the vendors here hiring people instead of a job seeker. My business will be here at a job fair selecting candidates.”

A dozen employers recruited for a wide range of positions in manufacturing, customer service, and more.

For more on Rochester Chamber’s RBA Staffing division, visit www.RBAStaffing.com.

Rochester Chamber CEO Bob Duffy said, “We

Igniting Women in Leadership:

One Size Does NOT Fit All What kind of leadership fits your style? Communication, leadership, and collaboration are fundamental skills for women in today’s workplace. Developing an effective leadership style is critical, even if you are not a formal leader! In this program, emphasis will be on enhancing your self-awareness as a personal leader, while exploring how you can lead as a collaborative member of any group. You will start to discover how you tend to lead and will be provided with some ideas how to build your own leadership capacity by learning how and when to adapt your leadership style based on different situations. Men are encouraged to attend as well.

Presented by: Dr. Jennifer Green-Wilson Principal, The Leadership Institute

Date: Wednesday, July 25 Time: 7:30 a.m. Registration

Click here for details Friday HR Briefings July 14 - Decoding Human Behavior: Avoid the Same Hiring Mistakes

8-9:30 a.m. Program and Q&A Location: The Strong Museum Auditorium Cost: Complimentary for Rochester Chamber members

Aug. 4 - Ready or Not: Here Comes Paid Family Leave

$50 Non-members

Time: 8:00 - 9:00 a.m. Sponsored by:

Rochester Chamber’s biz. Exchange is an interactive professional development series that aims to bring business expertise and achieve desired results for a diverse audience. For more information on upcoming biz. Exchange professional development series events brought to you by Rochester Chamber, visit www.GreaterRochesterChamber.com

Location: Rochester Chamber 150 State St., Rochester, NY 14614 Open to: Members only (no cost) To register, email Michele.Hefferon@ GreaterRochesterChamber.com www.GreaterRochesterChamber.com

Seminars Held at Rochester Chamber Register at www.GreaterRochesterChamber.com

Policy Matters: Meet Your State Legislators

September 13 HR Management Series: Recruiting/Retention (8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.) The HR Management Series is a comprehensive, hands-on series of classes designed to refresh skills for people already in the HR profession, or provide an overview of HR policies and practices for those just entering the field.This session reviews legal interviewing, screening questions, behavior interviewing, and an in-class interviewing exercise. September 13 HR Management Series: Human Resource Development (12:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.) The HR Management Series is a comprehensive, hands-on series of classes designed to refresh skills for people already in the HR profession, or provide an overview of HR policies and practices for those just entering the field.This session reviews new hire orientation, generational differences in the workplace, succession planning, performance evaluations, and employee engagement.

Upcoming Events For more details and to register, visit www.GreaterRochesterChamber.com

July 12 SPOTlight Tour: Lollypop Farm July 25 biz.Exchange: Igniting Women in Leadership August 4 biz.Exchange: E-Fuse: Entrepreneurial Infusion August 8 Rochester TRENDS: Cybersecurity for Business Covering Your Assets August 10 SPOTlight Tour: New MCC Downtown Campus August 16 Chamber Business Rounds: Employee Stock Ownership Plans Companies

SAVE THE DATE! Chamber Opportunities and More

September 7 City of Rochester Mayoral Forum. Rochester Chamber plans to host a Mayoral Candidate forum on September 7. Mark your calendars and stand by for more details!

2017 Business Advocacy Resource Guide is Available • • • •

Inside: 2017 Business Advocacy Agenda Tips for communicating with elected officials Contact info for elected officials Rochester Chamber Public Policy & Advocacy Committees

http://bit.ly/2sWe0R4

GreaterRochesterChamber.com