Webinar to Explain Legal Changes for Businesses Seen as 'Joint Employers'

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ROGERS, Ark. — Registration is open for an Oct. 6 webinar to help businesses cope with a recent National Labor Relations Board decision that displaces a 30-year-old standard for “joint employer” status.

The University of Arkansas Global Campus in Rogers and the law firm of Cross, Gunter, Witherspoon & Galchus PC will offer “NLRB Alters Joint Employer Standard: Here’s How It Affects You” from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct.6. The cost is $40 and participants can register online.

Webinar participants can earn one hour of recertification credit from the Human Resource Certification Institute and the Society for Human Resource Management.

The event is part of a webinar series that provides the latest information about labor and employment issues and regulations. Visit the website of the Global Campus in Rogers for more information about this series and other workforce development classes and workshops.

The National Labor Relations Board recently issued a long-awaited decision in a case that decides when two separate companies are deemed to be “joint employers” of the same workers. The decision overturned the standard that has been in place for more than 30 years.

If two companies are deemed to be joint employers of the same workers, then the employees provided by a staffing agency, subcontracting arrangement or other contingency workforce structure will be subject to any bargaining units and rights of the other employer.

Labor attorneys Bruce Cross and J.E. “Jess” Sweere will discuss during the webinar the significant impact this board decision will have on businesses’ use of outside labor.

The webinar will explore the decision, past and new standards, factors indicating joint employment and what the change means for companies. It will also cover companies’ duty to bargain, union bargaining rights and liabilities to be considered when using outside labor.

The Global Campus in Rogers supports workforce development education, including professional development classes and workshops and computer and technology training. Contact Judith Tavano, director of professional development programs, at jtavano@uark.edu or 855-402-3300 to discuss learning opportunities or customized training options.

About the Global Campus: The Global Campus supports U of A colleges and schools in the development and delivery of online, distance and workforce development education. It provides instructional design services, technology services and assistance with marketing, recruiting and strategic academic development.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among only 2 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.