Notes from — March 18, 2010
Human Resources Council Meeting
March 18, 2010
GCUA Offices, Duluth
Attendees:
Tish Fernandez from GCUA
Jackie Cagle from Georgia’s Own CU
Jeff Smith from CU of GA
Sharon Smith from Southeastern FCU
Debbie Smith from Georgia Federal CU
Paula Kitchens from Augusta Metro FCU
Dee Dee Figueroa from MidSouth Community FCU
Bryttani Crawford from MidSouth Community FCU
Karen Pennington from Associated CU
Jill Johnson from Associated CU
Kimberly Ford from GA Heritage FCU
Audrey Dye from GA Heritage FCU
Diane McCoy from Pinnacle CU
Mylia Liddell from Georgia Central CU
This meeting was at GCUA in the board room.
In the roundtable discussion, topics varied as usual, and were as follows:
Health Insurance renewals – 3 CU’s are starting their renewal process with a June/July renewal date. As in past meetings, insurance premiums and how each CU structures the amount they pay. Most agreed they have made plan design changes and/or changing how much employees pay towards the cost to minimize the cost implications to the CU. One CU discussed how they increased their deductible while instituting an HRA where the CU pays a large amount of that high deductible. This has lowered their monthly premiums and not everyone meets their deductible so it saves the CU money. The HRA is managed by a Flex account via EBC.
Also, discussed the possibility of the health care reform being passed and how that would impact us? Biggest individual concern is being taxed on the employer paid portion of premiums. It was discussed to get involved with SHRM as they are working on these potential issues.
Imaging Documents – Jeff shared his process with the group and one CU visited his shop last month to see how it all works for them. Jeff stated that this project took 18 months to complete and started with the active employees first. There was a good amount of discussion regarding where to start and how to tackle such a big project but several CU’s felt it would be beneficial and one day they will move in that direction.
After school work programs – one CU is working with the Georgia Teen Work program which is a paid position ($8.50 per hour). None of the other CU’s work with them but some mentioned that in the past they worked with local high schools but for whatever reason they do not utilize them anymore.
On the same topic, recently one CU had an audit with the DOL-Child Labor Laws and another was to have an audit in the next few weeks. The audit was an easy one where the examiner needed to see the I-9 form for the employee who was 17 when hired as well as any other employees from that location/branch. The reason the DOL audits a specific location is due to the minor getting the work permit, your location is then in the system and have random audits.
Corporate Wear – one CU is working with the vendor, DSI, they have offered to give a discount for CU’s if at least 5 CU’s sign up to use them. Several cards were distributed. For further information, please contact Debbie Smith at Georgia Federal. Most CU’s give employees at least 1 shirt per year so this is a potential cost saving measure.
Recruiting – one CU has hired O’Rourke for their executive CFO position. They looked at several companies and choose this one.
When discussing recruiting all agreed that although there are most folks are looking for work, the pool of candidates are not as great so it is still taking just as long, if not longer to find the right person.
One CU also discussed that some candidates balk at the pay and they are paying 10% above the mid-point for their roles for someone with experience.
Some CU’s are scaling back by not replacing positions when someone leaves and/or shifting the work internally.
Job descriptions – the never ending process of updating all job descriptions, whether you use a tool like iPerformease or not.
Pay freezes/increases – several CU’s placed a freeze on all increases/bonuses for 09/10. Some only had a freeze on management but all have discussed the options specific to their CU.
Employee involvement – how do you get employees more involved or engaged during this down economy especially when budgets are tight and no increases are being given? One CU suggested making employee involvement part of the performance plan. One CU shared with the group their High 5 Token program, thanks a million, Spot award, giving time off awards. Also, discussed was getting employees more involved with outside community events, Relay for Life, Santa Families, CUPAC and CMN. One CU suggested getting the different branches/locations to compete against each other-that had worked for their CU. Employees are always competitive and they want to beat each other. One CU had an in house yard sale another made bracelets and were selling them to employees and members to benefit Relay for Life. Jeff Smith also shared his program to the group for ideas they can incorporate at their CU-the program limits the number of tokens each manager gets, the estimated value of a token is $5. One thing noted on this topic is making it simple seems to work best; you don’t want to start a program that is too big to administer/handle.
Wellness Programs – one CU has a trainer come to their office twice a week, employees pay themselves to attend-no weights are used and the employees really enjoy the convenience of having someone come out to the worksite right after work. One had a Walkers Club at one point but interest seemed to fizzle over time. Two CU’s discussed that they had or have weight watchers come out to the office once a week, one CU even pays 10% of the cost. Another CU has a Health Fair once a year.
Indirect Lending – a CU will be diving into the indirect lending world as a marketing effort.
Business Lending – a CU will start this side of the business for growth and they will also be opening a new branch in Grayson.
Workers Compensation – do you pay for the time the employee goes to the doctor? The responses were about half and half, some paid for the time while others requested the appointments be made late in the day where the time could be made up by the employee.
Payroll – one CU is upgrading to the newer version of ADP and adding the HRIS system so this will be taking a lot of time.
The next meeting with be held sometime June 2010, possibly down in Columbus at MEA Federal CU. Details to follow. |
