WHO TO HIRE
HIRE YOUR CUSTOMERS
Most of the staff at Child’s Play Toys in Sioux Falls were loyal customers before they became employees.
Her customers already know and like the business, so owner Nancy Savage thinks it makes perfect sense to talk to them about the opportunity to come on board when a position opens up in her store.
Many members of her team have in turn recruited their own children to work at the store as soon as they turn 14.
When a neighboring store owner announced they were going out of business, Nancy made it a point to talk to a long-time employee at that store to see if they’d be interested in coming to work for her after the store closes. She believes it would be a good fit since they know her, they know her store, and they know the neighborhood.
Hire your customers; hire people who know your business. They’ll have a good idea how to best serve your customers because they ARE your customers.
Most of the staff at Child’s Play Toys in Sioux Falls were loyal customers before they became employees.
Her customers already know and like the business, so owner Nancy Savage thinks it makes perfect sense to talk to them about the opportunity to come on board when a position opens up in her store.
Many members of her team have in turn recruited their own children to work at the store as soon as they turn 14.
When a neighboring store owner announced they were going out of business, Nancy made it a point to talk to a long-time employee at that store to see if they’d be interested in coming to work for her after the store closes. She believes it would be a good fit since they know her, they know her store, and they know the neighborhood.
Hire your customers; hire people who know your business. They’ll have a good idea how to best serve your customers because they ARE your customers.
VALUING VETERANS
Military veterans often provide tremendous value to businesses, but connecting with veterans seeking employment can be a challenge.
More Information
Military veterans often provide tremendous value to businesses, but connecting with veterans seeking employment can be a challenge.
- The SD Department of Labor and Regulation (DLR) has resources to help veterans and employers.
- Veteran’s Specialists work closely with veterans and military spouses, helping them overcome physical limitations (such as service-related disabilities) and find long-term work.
- DLR provides interest/aptitude assessments and proficiency testing to help veterans choose a direction for education or employment, including career planning and job searches to match their military skills with a suitable occupation.
- Computer training and other training options are available through DLR.
- The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) can reduce an employer’s federal income tax liability by as much as $9,600 per veteran
More Information
TRAINING OLDER WORKERS FOR NEW JOBS
Older Americans are a fast-growing group that can play an important role in filling workforce needs, whether on a full-time or part-time basis.
South Dakota’s Senior Community Service Employment Program works with nonprofit groups and government agencies to provide temporary community service and work-based training programs for some members of that population. Participants develop skills to help them be more competitive in the workforce and help fill crucial positions for employers.
More Information
dlr.sd.gov/workforce_services/individuals/scsep/contacts.aspx
Older Americans are a fast-growing group that can play an important role in filling workforce needs, whether on a full-time or part-time basis.
South Dakota’s Senior Community Service Employment Program works with nonprofit groups and government agencies to provide temporary community service and work-based training programs for some members of that population. Participants develop skills to help them be more competitive in the workforce and help fill crucial positions for employers.
More Information
dlr.sd.gov/workforce_services/individuals/scsep/contacts.aspx
CAREER EXPLORATION FOR ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES
A person who has been out of the workforce for some time due to a disability or who may be reentering the workforce after acquiring a disability may be unsure of their job skills and abilities.
More Information
Employment Skills Program packet: dhs.sd.gov/rehabservices/docs/Employment_Skills_Program_Packet_1-2015.pdf
Contact: Kimberly Ludwig, (605) 626-2313 or [email protected]
A person who has been out of the workforce for some time due to a disability or who may be reentering the workforce after acquiring a disability may be unsure of their job skills and abilities.
More Information
Employment Skills Program packet: dhs.sd.gov/rehabservices/docs/Employment_Skills_Program_Packet_1-2015.pdf
Contact: Kimberly Ludwig, (605) 626-2313 or [email protected]
CAREER EXPLORATION FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Unique to South Dakota, Project Skills offers career exploration or paid work experience opportunities for high school students with disabilities – at no cost to the employer. Participating students develop work skills that can bolster their ability to succeed in long-term competitive employment beyond high school.
More Information
Project Skills: dhs.sd.gov/rehabservices/projectskills.aspx
Contact: Kimberly Ludwig, (605) 626-2313 or [email protected]
Unique to South Dakota, Project Skills offers career exploration or paid work experience opportunities for high school students with disabilities – at no cost to the employer. Participating students develop work skills that can bolster their ability to succeed in long-term competitive employment beyond high school.
More Information
Project Skills: dhs.sd.gov/rehabservices/projectskills.aspx
Contact: Kimberly Ludwig, (605) 626-2313 or [email protected]
EMPLOYER RESOURCES FOR EMPLOYING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
- DakotaLink - dakotalink.net | Provides a wide variety of assistive technology devices and services to help individuals overcome or improve a functional limitation.
- Job Accommodation Network (JAN) – askjan.org | Free consulting services for employers, including one-on-one consultation about all aspects of reasonable/workplace accommodations and ADA compliance assistance.
- Rocky Mountain ADA Center – rockymountainada.org | Information, guidance, and training on the Americans with Disabilities Act.
- Sioux Falls Business Resource Network - sfbrn.org/index.cfm | Provides businesses in the Sioux Falls areas with education, awareness, and resources to promote the successful employment of people with disabilities.
- South Dakota Division of Rehabilitation Services - dhs.sd.gov/rehabservices/ | Provides programs and services for individuals with disabilities and employers for employment purposes throughout the state.
- South Dakota Division of Service to the Blind and Visually Impaired - https://dhs.sd.gov/servicetotheblind/default.asp | Provides employment and independent living services to individuals who are blind or visually impaired throughout the state.
- Tax Credits - irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/tax-benefits-for-businesses-who-have-employees-with-disabilities
- Training Webinar: Disability Awareness and Etiquette in the Workplace - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghOhNBTIFbswww.youtube.com/watch?v=ghOhNBTIFbs
- Workforce Diversity Network of the Black Hills - wdnbh.org/for-employers-faq | Provides education, awareness, and resources to employers in the Black Hills to promote employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
- Additional Disability Resources for Businesses - dlr.sd.gov/workforce_services/businesses/disability_resources.aspx
HIRING FOREIGN WORKERS
Many South Dakota employers, especially in the hospitality field, rely on temporary workers from foreign countries to meet their staffing needs. Here is some basic information on two well-known programs.
Many South Dakota employers, especially in the hospitality field, rely on temporary workers from foreign countries to meet their staffing needs. Here is some basic information on two well-known programs.
The H-2B Program for non-agricultural workers allows employers to hire foreign workers on a temporary basis to fill jobs considered essential to the U.S. economy.
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The J-1 Visa Exchange Visitor Program is designed for foreign college and university students who want training in their field, and also want exposure to American culture. Around 300,000 foreign visitors experience U.S. culture through the program annually.
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More Information
H-2B Program Fact Sheet: dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WHD/legacy/files/whdfs78.pdf
Filing tips: dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ETA/oflc/pdfs/h_2b_employer_filing_tips.pdf
(note: many businesses find it helpful to work with a firm specializing in foreign labor programs)
H-2B Job Order Request Form: dlr.sd.gov/workforce_services/foreign_labor/h2b.aspx
J-1 information for employers: j1visa.state.gov/hosts-and-employers/employers/
Program information: uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/students-and-exchange-visitors/exchange-visitors
H-2B Program Fact Sheet: dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WHD/legacy/files/whdfs78.pdf
Filing tips: dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ETA/oflc/pdfs/h_2b_employer_filing_tips.pdf
(note: many businesses find it helpful to work with a firm specializing in foreign labor programs)
H-2B Job Order Request Form: dlr.sd.gov/workforce_services/foreign_labor/h2b.aspx
J-1 information for employers: j1visa.state.gov/hosts-and-employers/employers/
Program information: uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/students-and-exchange-visitors/exchange-visitors
HIRING A TEENAGE WORKFORCE
JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT
Work readiness, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and ethics are qualifications for most job candidates and they’re also the main pillars of Junior Achievement (JA). JA helps students find the right career path by connecting them with role models they might not otherwise have met. Community members go into classrooms to work with students during the school day, using age-appropriate JA lessons.
More Information
Junior Achievement of South Dakota: southdakota.ja.org
Contact: Kayla Eitreim, (605) 336-7318 or [email protected]
BUILD DAKOTA SCHOLARSHIP
Creating a talented workforce committed to staying in South Dakota for several years, who are able to get the appropriate training to launch their career without piling up student debt and providing individualized assistance to businesses to address their local workforce challenges.
More Information
Build Dakota Scholarship program: builddakotascholarships.com
Contact: Deni Amundson, Program Manager, at (605) 347-1804 or [email protected]
APPRENTICESHIPS: EARNING WHILE LEARNING ON THE JOB
Apprenticeship programs are a workforce development option that allows businesses an opportunity to create a training program to meet their unique needs. A registered apprenticeship is a federally-recognized “earn and learn” concept that can help businesses recruit, train, and retain highly skilled workers.
More Information
dlr.sd.gov/workforce_services/individuals/training_opportunities/apprenticeship.aspx
Work readiness, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and ethics are qualifications for most job candidates and they’re also the main pillars of Junior Achievement (JA). JA helps students find the right career path by connecting them with role models they might not otherwise have met. Community members go into classrooms to work with students during the school day, using age-appropriate JA lessons.
More Information
Junior Achievement of South Dakota: southdakota.ja.org
Contact: Kayla Eitreim, (605) 336-7318 or [email protected]
BUILD DAKOTA SCHOLARSHIP
Creating a talented workforce committed to staying in South Dakota for several years, who are able to get the appropriate training to launch their career without piling up student debt and providing individualized assistance to businesses to address their local workforce challenges.
More Information
Build Dakota Scholarship program: builddakotascholarships.com
Contact: Deni Amundson, Program Manager, at (605) 347-1804 or [email protected]
APPRENTICESHIPS: EARNING WHILE LEARNING ON THE JOB
Apprenticeship programs are a workforce development option that allows businesses an opportunity to create a training program to meet their unique needs. A registered apprenticeship is a federally-recognized “earn and learn” concept that can help businesses recruit, train, and retain highly skilled workers.
More Information
dlr.sd.gov/workforce_services/individuals/training_opportunities/apprenticeship.aspx
HIRING FORMER INMATES
Leaving prison and reentering society poses many challenges, including reentering the labor market. Around 2,500 individuals are released from South Dakota’s state corrections system each year, providing businesses an opportunity to employ an often untapped workforce.
More Information
Contact DOC with questions: (605) 773-3478
The South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation offers many services to assist individuals who have barriers to employment: dlr.sd.gov/workforce_services/individuals/default.aspx
Leaving prison and reentering society poses many challenges, including reentering the labor market. Around 2,500 individuals are released from South Dakota’s state corrections system each year, providing businesses an opportunity to employ an often untapped workforce.
More Information
Contact DOC with questions: (605) 773-3478
The South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation offers many services to assist individuals who have barriers to employment: dlr.sd.gov/workforce_services/individuals/default.aspx
WORK RELEASE PROGRAM Some minimum security, low risk offenders housed in state corrections facilities are eligible to work in the community. They can help in a wide variety of private sector jobs, including construction, manufacturing, foodservice, lodging, and others. The program also helps prepare inmates for release by giving them in-demand skills.
More Information
Contact: Darwin Weeldreyer, Director of Community Service for the South Dakota Department of Corrections, at (605) 773-3478 or [email protected].
More Information
Contact: Darwin Weeldreyer, Director of Community Service for the South Dakota Department of Corrections, at (605) 773-3478 or [email protected].
THINK GIG!
Think outside the box to fill positions in your business. Instead of hiring a permanent, full-time person, maybe what you really need is a freelancer who can handle a short-term project. A “gig worker” may be the perfect solution for a temporary assignment.
Gig workers are independent contractors who perform short-term jobs. They may take on freelance projects for several employers at the same time.
A few tips:
You aren’t required to withhold income taxes, pay Social Security, Medicare taxes and unemployment taxes on wages paid to independent contractors – but not all temporary workers are considered independent contractors. Check the federal guidelines to make sure you aren’t misclassifying an employee as an independent contractor: dol.gov/agencies/whd/flsa/misclassification.
Think outside the box to fill positions in your business. Instead of hiring a permanent, full-time person, maybe what you really need is a freelancer who can handle a short-term project. A “gig worker” may be the perfect solution for a temporary assignment.
Gig workers are independent contractors who perform short-term jobs. They may take on freelance projects for several employers at the same time.
A few tips:
- There are a number of online platforms and websites where businesses can connect with gig workers, such as Upwork, Freelancer, Fiverr, Task Rabbit and FlexJobs. The platform you select will depend on what type of work you need done.
- Use social media to get the word out about your gig work projects.
- When posting your ad, include phrasing that appeals to the reason a person has opted to do gig work, such as flexibility, creativity and independent work.
- Specify any deadlines for completing projects in your agreement with a gig worker.
You aren’t required to withhold income taxes, pay Social Security, Medicare taxes and unemployment taxes on wages paid to independent contractors – but not all temporary workers are considered independent contractors. Check the federal guidelines to make sure you aren’t misclassifying an employee as an independent contractor: dol.gov/agencies/whd/flsa/misclassification.