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Record Attendance Highlights NAHAD 2012 Convention

Convening in the largest hotel (the Venetian|Palazzo) in NAHAD’s history of annual conventions, NAHAD also broke a record for highest attendance in its 28 year history. Final attendance figures, including registrations on-site, totaled 1,006 NAHAD attendees. The previous high-water mark for NAHAD conventions was 917 attendees at the 2007 convention in Victoria, BC Canada. More details and photos Annual Convention,

Here's what attendees had to say about NAHAD and the event:

• I have been invited by numerous members to join NAHAD but I did not think it would be worth the time and the money. I was wrong!!! It was well worth the time and money and I plan to attend next year and bring our general manager with me.
• Everything exceeded my expectations. Great networking!
• The "high point" of my business year!
• NAHAD is an excellent source of information.
• A great balance of entertainment and networking, allowing for an enjoyable atmosphere of professionalism and fun!
• NAHAD has consistently provided our company with avenues for networking and improving business procedures year after year. The professionals who dedicate their time and expertise to better our industry have influenced the way we do business.
• Great place to bond, build partnerships and long lasting friendships.

EEOC Issues Revised Enforcement Guidance on Use of Criminal Records in Employment Decisions

By a 4-1 vote, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) approved the issuance of a revised enforcement guidance document concerning an employer’s use of criminal arrest and conviction records in making hiring and other employment decisions, and whether such use may violate Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. While an EEOC guidance document does not have the force and effect of law and is not binding on the courts, it does indicate the agency’s intentions as to enforcement of Title VII. The document can be accessed at:
http://www.eeoc.gov/eeoc/newsroom/release/4-25-12.cfm

Issued on April 25, 2012, the guidance reaffirms that the employer may not intentionally discriminate, on the basis of race or national origin, against individuals with similar criminal histories. However, according to the new guidance, an employer’s racially/ethnically neutral policy (e.g., a “criminal record exclusion” that excludes all applicants from employment based on certain criminal convictions) will be deemed by the EEOC to have a disparate impact on race and national origin, and thus be subject to EEOC investigation. To defend such a policy, the employer will need to establish that the policy is “job related and consistent with business necessity.”

According to the EEOC guidance, an employer will be deemed to meet this defense: (1) when the employer validates its policy using the EEOC’s Uniform Guidelines on Employee Selection Procedures (see 29 CFR Part 1607); or (2) when the employer develops a targeted screen that considers at a minimum the nature of the crime, the time elapsed since its commission, and the nature of the job for which the applicant is applying.

An employer may not be sued under Title VII when complying with (but not exceeding) a federal law or regulation that requires employers to consider an applicant’s criminal record. However, compliance with a state or local law or regulation requiring or permitting criminal background checks may nevertheless result in liability if in conflict with Title VII.

In voting against the new guidance, EEOC Commissioner Constance Barker strongly criticized the agency for its lack of transparency and for deciding to deny the American people any opportunity for public review and comment on the revised guidance document before voting for its approval. Commissioner Barker added, the EEOC “cannot use our authority to issue guidances to create new rights or protections that Title VII does not provide,” thereby usurping Congressional powers. Businesses can expect that the EEOC will be aggressively pursing more investigations of employer use of criminal background checks when making employment decisions.

NAM Weekly Economic Report

The National Association of Manufacturer's Economic Report for this week is available below.

NAM Report 5-14-12

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NAHAD Views

Nearly 1,000 NAHAD members and guests converged on Las Vegas on April 18-22 for the association’s 28^th Annual Convention at the Venetian | Palazzo Hotel. Dynamic business presentations, a sold-out Showcase of Hose Solutions exhibit program, exciting social events and rewarding business networking opportunities made for a vibrant and beneficial experience for all attendees. Here’s some scenes from NAHAD 2012:   

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