ComplianceCast March 2010

March 2010 —

With sales on the rise a glimmer of hope shines on the horizon. But with new rules and an unstable economy, now is the time to lay the groundwork to ensure you are maximizing today’s and tomorrow’s profits.

	Tax Strategies for Weathering the Economic Storm Read this article to help your business satisfy its tax requirements while maximizing opportunities for tax savings. Learn more about changes in state taxes, as well as external obsolesence provisions in this challenging economy. Originally published in the Tax Executive. Crowe Horwath, LLP

	Appeals Court Holds That An Employee's Self-Diagnosis Can Establish Ongoing Medical Condition Under The FMLA A recent court decision may change your understanding of how the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) applies to your business. The article details how this decision may be applied and cautions that employers should not automatically reject an employee's own account of his/her illness. Learn how to best serve your employees, and protect your business, in this important article from Fisher & Phillips, LLP. Legal Alert: Fisher & Phillips, LLP

	Saved GM Dealers Ready to Start Selling Again 661 auto dealers received reinstatement letters from General Motors this week. While it may feel like they’ve won the war, the battle has most likely just begun. The "letter of reinstatement" lays out some basics but most expect GM to come back and levy further mandates. We’ll keep you posted. CNNMoney.com

Compli Releases Version 6.0

Version 6.0 delivers a new, refreshingly easy-to-use Employee Center, enabling staff, managers, human resources and executive management to communicate more efficiently throughout the entire enterprise.

The Version 6.0 Employee Center can be customized to the needs of any company, disseminating the correct policies, procedures, trainings and other internal information. Company communications can be deployed to all employees through their Compli Inbox, even if they lack a company email. As a result, each employee will know exactly what their compliance and other requirements are, if there have been any changes or updates they must address and even where events such as the company summer BBQ will be held. Employees will feel fully informed and will confidently complete their tasks quickly and with more accuracy.

Providing customers with the most relevant and contemporary training, Compli has also included many new and updated trainings focused on workplace safety. Topics include: defensive driving for small vehicles, forklifts, forktrucks and golfcarts, general safety and Environmental, Health & Safety regulations. Compli is not only committed to providing employee friendly technology, but also the most up-to-date content on critical business topics.

“The new Employee Center landing page expands the ability of managers and employees to instantly communicate company-wide. Management can rest easy knowing that each employee now understands exactly what to do, at the click of a button. Bottom line, employees feel more connected to their company and culture while company leadership has unprecedented confidence that their workforce is receiving the best possible communications to ensure that they are both compliant and well-informed,” -Lon Leneve, President and CEO of Compli.

For more details visit: www.compli.com/products/whats-new-in-compli-6.

Webinar: California Wage-Hour Update

Date: Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Time: 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM PDT

Join Compli and Chris Hoffman, Partner at Fisher & Phillips LLP's San Diego office, for a complimentary presentation designed to alert you on the key areas where your dealership is vulnerable to wage-hour claims, with an emphasis on California law.

In this Webinar we will discuss:

• The relationship between California and federal wage hour laws

• What is considered “hours worked” for purposes of calculating overtime

• Which employees are exempt from overtime and why the California system is different

• Which employees are likely to be paid incorrectly

• Two ways your sales pay plan can get you sued

• How to implement an effective workforce compliance program to help ensure best practices and preclude costly errors.

There will be a Q&A session at the end of the Webinar.

Space is limited. Reserve your Webinar seat now at: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/567329217.

Webinar: Pre-Tax Tool Plans - Is There a Legal and Compliant Answer

Date: Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Time: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM PDT

Join Compli and Cliff McCarney, Partner at Business Creation Ventures, for a FREE Webinar as we discuss:

• History of Tool Reimbursement

• Old Tool Reimbursement Plans

• IRS Issues with Old Reimbursement Plans

• New IRS Ruling

• New Trade Equipment Plan

• Benefits of Tool Reimbursement

• Cost Savings for Employees and Dealerships

• How to Implement an Effective Workforce Compliance Program to Ensure Best Practices and Preclude Costly Errors.

There will be a Q&A session at the end of the Webinar.

Space is limited. Reserve your Webinar seat now at: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/918300713.

Webinar: SARs, Cars and The Economy: An Expert Look Into the Future

Date: Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Time: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM PDT

Join Compli, Crowe Horwath, and Erich Merkle, President of Autoconomy.com and top-ranked economic and auto industry analyst.

Complimentary Webinar agenda:

• A review of the current economic conditions and it’s impact on the automotive industry

• Detroit and beyond; forecasting the winning manufacturers, brands and concepts as seen at the North American Automotive shows and based on historical consumer demand

• With a strong track record of successfully projecting trends and new vehicle sales, Erich will layout his thinking for his 2010 New Vehicle SARs projections and its anticipated direction

In addition, Erich will provide his pragmatic perspective to your questions and comments during an exclusive Q&A session.

Space is limited. Reserve your Webinar seat now at: https://www323.livemeeting.com/lrs/8000074673/Registration.aspx?pageName=z0r8zl8848cp6748.

Upcoming Seminars & Events:

April 11 – April 13, 2010:
Compli to attend the 6th Annual NADC Member Conference in Dallas, TX. For more information visit: www.dealercounsel.com.

May 2 - 4, 2010:
Compli to attend the Hudson Cook Housing & Auto Finance Workshop in Baltimore, MD. For more information visit: www.counselorlibrary.com/register/.

May 19, 2010:
Compli to sponsor, exhibit and attend the PHRMA HR Strategic Conference in Portland, OR. For more information visit: http://portlandhrma.org/index.cfm.

For more information, contact Jonica Smith at jonica@compli.com.

ComplianceCast March 2010 | Compli.com