>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

Local business people should mark their calendars for upcoming educational opportunities sponsored by the Union County Employer Committee.

On March 18, the committee will host its Business Development Workshop, including a session with representatives from the state Bureau of Labor and Industry, and a workshop on identity theft, fraud and security.

The all-day wage and hour seminar covers a multitude of workplace policies and practices, and offers employers tips on how to stay in compliance.

It kicks off at 1 p.m. and continues to 9 p.m., with a break for meal time.

The three-hour seminar on identity theft, fraud and security begins at 8 a.m.

Presenters will include Diane Childs of the Oregon Department of Business and Consumer Services. Childs will address the Oregon Consumer Identity Theft Protection Act that was passed in 2007.

The bill provides Oregon businesses with clear direction and expectations to ensure the safety of personal identifying information they maintain. Childs will discuss how businesses can adapt to and implement the law.

Other presenters are Gary Bell of the La Grande Police Department, who will talk about security issues, and Scott Wallace from Blue Mountain Community College, who will provide fraud information, including identifying embezzlement and how businesses can protect themselves.

Cost for both the BOLI and fraud workshops is $150 for chamber members, $180 for non-chamber members.

The BOLI session alone is $100 for members, $125 for non members.

The fraud seminar is being offered to chamber members for $80 per person, $145 for two, $170 for three. A fourth person gets in free, and after four people the price is $20 per person.

Cost of the fraud session for non-chamber members is $99 per person.

Also this year, the Employer Committee plans a grant writing workshop.

For registration of more information on Employer Committee activities, contact Chair Teri Berry at the Oregon Employment Department, 963-7111, ext. 30, or Judy Loudermilk at the Union County Chamber of Commerce, 963-8588.