​MA Law Update Alert
On Aug 1, 2017 Governor Baker signed an Act further regulating employer contributions to the Commonwealth’s health care program, MassHealth. The Act, which will go into effect January 1, 2018, will temporarily increase the existing Employer Medical Assistant Contribution (EMAC) and impose new penalty fees on employers with employees covered under MassHealth. The Act will potentially have an impact on Arbor Associates, Inc. and our client billing rates in Massachusetts. Two significant components of the law include:

• An increase to the required Employer Medical Assistance Contribution (EMAC) to an annual maximum of $77 per employee from $51 per employee. Employers with an average of six or more employees per quarter are required to make EMAC contributions.
• Implementing an employer penalty assessment up to $750 (5% of annual wages) for each non-disabled employee who receives health coverage through MassHealth or opts out of employer coverage and receives subsidized coverage through the Marketplace (Massachusetts Health Connector.)

We’ll continue to provide updates on the impact of this new Act as cost impacts to Arbor, and our clients, are better understood. More information is available here: https://www.mass.gov/news/updates-in-employer-health-care-contributions-and-experience-rate-schedule-adjustments-for
 
Youth Protection Act (Rhode Island)
On October 5, 2017, Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo signed legislation (S.B. 1025) requiring persons who provide volunteer services with youth serving agencies to get a national criminal records check if the volunteer service involves supervisory or disciplinary power over a child or where the services involve routine contact with a child without the presence of other employees or volunteers. The act is effective immediately. (Courtesy ThinkHR)

Gratitude Challenge
November is a month that is celebrated for giving thanks and reflecting on all that we are grateful for as we quickly find ourselves in the throes of the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. It is important to be thankful during this time, however more importantly we should practice gratitude daily.  Sometimes, the simplest and most effortless habit for living a happier life is to take one or a few minutes every day to focus on what you are grateful for in your life.

Do you know what gratitude really does, though?
It squashes your negative mindset. It challenges your thoughts. It changes your behavior. It allows for more positive to be attracted to you.
 
Keeping a log of all the things you are grateful for slowly conditions your mind to believe (and rightfully so) that you actually have a LOT to be grateful for. It takes all of those negative thoughts like “I don’t have enough _____ (you fill in the blank: time, money, friends, talent, fun) and turns them into positives.
Suddenly you find yourself constantly thinking about the things that are going well in your life. Even if they are super-tiny ones like a warm steamy shower, that hot cup of coffee that smells and tastes so good in the morning, a great new book, a hug.
Now, that gratitude could just be a small sentence. But it can have a big impact on someone’s day, week or even life sometimes.  We all have reasons to be grateful, some days, weeks and months it is harder than others to truly feel positive and grateful.

What are YOU grateful for? This month, we challenge you to start a life style of expressing gratitude. Write down 3 things that you are thankful for every day or evening. Tell the people in your life that you appreciate them.  Show yourself some love. Enjoy that hot cup of coffee. 
 
Knowing how this could change your entire perspective on life, we really hope you’ll give it a try. If you accept-let us know!!! Post what you are grateful for on our hub here and/or Facebook page and let’s spread the positivity!

We are grateful for all of you and wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving and holiday season.   

Arbor Associates Supports “Small Business Saturday” on 11/25/17 & “#GivingTuesday” on 11/28/17! 
 
You know about Black Friday and Cyber Monday, but have you heard of Small Business Saturday (#shopsmall) and Giving Tuesday (officially known as #GivingTuesday)? These two movements have gained much popularity in the last few years as a way to allow consumers a way to engage in philanthropy, community service, and support one’s local community in the midst of shopping for gifts. We encourage you to learn more and participate locally!
 
Need a unique gift for that hard-to-buy for friend or just something basic for yourself? You can avoid the big box stores and support your local economy at the same time by shopping at your local, independently-owned shops on Small Business Saturday, November 24th. Learn more or find participating retailers in your area here.
 
#GivingTuesday began in 2011 at the famed 92nd Street Y in NYC and was created by the Belfer Center for Innovation & Social impact as a way to focus on community service and charitable giving during the holiday season. Any official 501(c)3 organization in the U.S. can participate and create a #GivingTuesday campaign. Are you part of a #GivingTuesday campaign? Let us know! Click here to learn more about #GivingTuesday on November 28th.

During the busy holiday season, you can help us meet the needs of our client partners, earn money for yourself, AND be entered to win great prizes! See the guidelines below learn how your name can be automatically entered into our drawing for our prizes.
 
Run Time:  Thursday, 11/23/17 through Tuesday, 1/2/18
 
Prizes:
Grand Prize: TV!  (1 winner)
$25 Amazon Gift Cards (5 winners)
 
One entry earned each time for:

• Taking a last-minute shift during normal business hours.
• Willingness to switch your schedule around and work a different one instead.
• Travelling more than 30 minutes to an assignment.
• Work week of no call outs or late arrivals.

 
Double entry earned each time for:

• Working Holiday Shifts
  • Thanksgiving 11/23/17 (any shift)
  • Hanukkah 12/12/17 through 12/20/17 (2nd or 3rd shift)
  • Christmas Eve (2nd or 3rd shift)
  • Christmas Day 12/25/17 (any shift)
  • New Year’s Eve 12/31/17 (2nd or 3rd shift)
  • New Year’s Day (any shift)
• Taking a newly requested shift when contacted during on-call hours* (weekday evenings or weekends).
• Arriving to your shift during snow/inclement weather (refer to Arbor's inclement weather policies from orientation).

 
 Notes & Eligibility Terms:

• You must follow all standard Arbor Associates policies and job responsibilities required by client partner during shift.
• Shifts must be offered by your staffing coordinator (i.e. Your Supervisor). Associates may NOT solicit shifts directly through client partners.
• *Waiting until on-call hours to accept a shift that was previously offered or other attempts to manipulate the contest in your favor will result in zero entries.
• Any violation of the terms above will forfeit any and all entries.
• If you have already accepted a holiday shift, thank you. Your name has already been entered for as many shifts as you accepted! (Should there be any problems during your shift, you will lose your entries.)
• Sweepstakes entries do not negate holiday pay! Please refer to the holiday pay schedule that was provided at orientation for details.  
• Winners will be announced by Friday, January 5, 2018.

 Thank you & Good Luck!