May 16, 2019

NCAE to Present Labor Webinar Series By Tim Hodson

The National Council of Agricultural Employers (NCAE) is launching a series of educational webinars focusing on issues facing growers and agricultural employers.

The first webinar, “H-2A 101,” will be hosted by Tom Bortnyk, vice president and general counsel at MAS Labor. Bortnyk will provide education and expertise to educate new and prospective users of the H-2A temporary agricultural worker visa program and review the Do’s and Don’ts of the H-2A visa program. The webinar will also serve as a refresher for those who are already familiar with the program.

NCAE plans to host additional webinars throughout 2019, featuring industry experts who will provide insight and nuance to complex topics facing employers.

“These webinars will be can’t-miss events for those seeking to stay current on issues facing employers in a very dynamic environment,” said NCAE’s Nigel Bocanegra.

The “H-2A 101” webinar featuring Bortnyk is scheduled for 2 p.m. EDT on June 6. Registration is limited to the first 100 participants. Participants will be eligible to receive one Professional Development Credit from the Society for Human Resource Management upon completion of the course.

Those interested in participating in NCAE’s inaugural webinar can register at ncaeonline.org/webinars.

— Tim

Walmart Releases Environmental Progress Report

On May 8, Walmart issued its inaugural Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report, detailing the company’s goals and progress toward its commitment to increase economic opportunity for associates, build supply chain sustainability and activate climate change initiatives. The reports shows that as part of the company’s goal of being supplied by 50% renewable energy by 2025, 28% of the retailer’s electricity needs are currently supplied by renewable sources. In the U.S. in 2018, Walmart diverted 81% of unsold products, packaging and other waste materials from landfills and recycled more than 430 million pounds of plastic globally.

Wegmans to Award $5 Million in Employee Scholarships This Year

Wegmans Food Markets’ Employee Scholarship Program will award college tuition assistance to 1,755 new recipients during the upcoming academic year. The company expects to pay out approximately $5.1 million in tuition assistance to both new and returning scholarship recipients during the 2019-2020 school year. Since the program began in 1984, more than 38,500 Wegmans employees have been awarded scholarships totaling $120 million. “Our scholarship program is a way for us to help our people achieve their goals and pursue their dreams, whether that means building a career at Wegmans or elsewhere,” said Colleen Wegman, president and CEO.

Home Depot Foundation Helps Prep for Hurricane Season

This month the Home Depot Foundation is partnering with Operation Blessing to pack 3,000 relief kits for the 2019 hurricane season in the Gulf Coast region. More than 100 Home Depot associates and representatives from Operation Blessing are uniting to pack relief kits with such items as gloves, respirators, cleanup bags and other necessities that will be distributed after hurricanes and floods hit the region later this year. The 2019 hurricane season officially begins on June 1 and ends Nov. 30.