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About The Observer. (La Grande, Or.) 1968-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 20, 2019)
BUSINESS & AG LIFE WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2019 THE OBSERVER & BAKER CITY HERALD — 3B Do animals have the 2020 business trends for Oregon right to sue owners? closely parallel national projections Oregon Farm Bureau SALEM — In early No- vember, the Oregon Farm Bureau, Oregon Cattle- men’s Association and Oregon Dairy Farmers As- sociation partnered to draft a friend of the court brief on precedent-setting litiga- tion pending in the Oregon Court of Appeals. The case addresses whether a horse has a right to sue its owner in court for damages relat- ing to the horse’s neglect. The Oregon Farm Bureau also released the following statement: “The case, Justice, an American Quarter Horse v. Gwendolyn Vercher, is an attempt by the Animal Legal Defense Fund to set precedent in Oregon that animals have legal person- hood, including the right to sue humans in court. This case could open the door to expansive and signifi cant litigation regarding the ability to own and manage livestock, produce meat or dairy products, participate in rodeos or FFA, and even have working dogs. It could even subject pet owners to private rights of action and allow activist groups to bring lawsuits under the guise of animals seeking to vindicate nonexistent rights. “If successful, this case puts the livestock industry and rural Oregon at risk. Moreover, Oregon would become the fi rst state in the country to grant animals legal personhood, which would have a profound impact on our society and legal system. Our organiza- tions got involved to ensure that the Court understands the history and context of Oregon’s animal welfare statutes and to ensure the Court understands the expansive, far-reaching implications of this case for the livestock industry. “To be clear, the facts of this case were abhorrent, and the defendant was rightfully prosecuted for the neglect of her horse. How- ever, Oregon law already has severe consequences for those who abuse and ne- glect animals and there is a mechanism for those who rescue neglected animals to be compensated for their care. But these legitimate concerns are not what this case is about. This case is simply an effort by animal rights activists to pull the ultimate thread in a long- standing effort to unravel and halt livestock opera- tions in Oregon. We will continue to stand strong to protect the livestock in- dustry from the signifi cant precedent set by this case.” Cascade Employers Association SALEM — The Employer Associations of America recently released its 2020 National Business Trends Survey. This national survey shares information on what executives are doing to ad- dress the changing business climate, and executives surveyed this year indicate that they are feeling a little less optimistic. The major- ity of respondents (52%) felt the economy in the next 12 months would stay the same, with only 12% feeling the economy would improve, and 36% feeling that the econo- my will decline. Compared to 2019 survey results, the numbers have fl ipped in two areas. Last year, respondents felt more confi dent that the economy would improve (30%) and only% percent felt there would be a decline. “Given the feelings about the economy in the next 12 months, it seems that organizations are taking a more cautious approach to 2020,” EAA Board of Direc- tors Chair Mary E. Corrado said. “Despite reduced con- fi dence in the economy, 49% of organizations surveyed still expect a slight increase in revenue for the coming year. The talent shortage will remain a key factor in 2020. Employers will need to implement innovative talent acquisition and retention strategies to meet their busi- ness results.” When asked on the survey what the top challenges to their business in 2020 are, executives indicated: • Talent acquisition • Talent retention • Ability to pay competi- tive wages/salaries • Competition in general • Ability to pay for benefi t costs A number of the Business Trends survey questions focused on hiring and staff- ing practices. The amount of permanent staff planned to be hired in 2020 is down slightly to 47% as compared to 2019, in which 54% planned to hire permanent employees. Respondents did indicate 65% were hiring in part due to newly created jobs. The majority (83%) seem to be replacing employ- ees due in part to voluntary turnover. The increase in vol- untary turnover makes tal- ent acquisition more diffi cult and employers will need to offer more competitive wages and be more strategic when marketing for positions. In moving forward with their hiring practices, organi- zations said the top fi ve most important factors prospective employees are looking for in 2020 are fairly similar to last year’s results: • Competitive pay 81% • Good work/life balance 69% • Opportunities for ad- vancement 56% • Flexibility in work hours 56% • Competitive health benefi ts 48% The top three reasons why it has become more diffi cult to hire employees in their industries are a lack of quali- fi ed candidates (66%), mar- ket competition/high demand (48%) and candidates want more pay than the business can/will offer (43%). With the national spotlight on pay equity, a few addi- tional responses were added to the question, “How is your organization minimizing risk and ensuring compli- ance with federal, state, and local laws?” The top three responses were conducting internal pay audits (38%), establishing/updating a for- mal compensation structure (35%) and conducting exter- nal compensation analyses to compare internal positions with the external market (29%). In addition, the EAA 2020 National Business Trends Survey breaks out results on a local level. In the Oregon region, respondents identi- fi ed talent retention (45 per- cent), talent acquisition (44 percent) and competition in general (36 percent) to be the top three greatest challenges to businesses in 2020. “At Cascade Employers Association, we understand the complex business envi- ronment and how that can impact strategies and tactics in the workplace, especially when it comes to attracting, engaging and retaining top talent,” Jenna Reed, Vice President of HR Services and General Counsel, said. “We’ve certainly experienced an increase in requests for support developing compensation philosophy and structures, assessing employee engagement and consulting on approaches to talent acquisition.” The EAA is a not-for- profi t national association that provides this annual survey to business execu- tives offering insights and trends for business outlooks, business investment plans, staffi ng levels, hiring plans, job creations, pay strategies and business challenges. The 2020 survey included 1,093 participating organiza- tions throughout the U.S. For a copy of the full report, contact McKenna Arnold, Cascade Employers Associa- tion, at marnold@cascadeem- ployers.com. To learn more about the EAA, visit www. eaahub.org. C LASSIFIEDS Published by The Observer & Baker City Herald - Serving Wallowa, Union and Baker Counties PLACING YOUR AD IS EASY...Union, Wallowa, and Baker Counties Phone La Grande - 541-963-3161 Baker City - 541-523-3673 On-Line: www.lagrandeobserver.com www.bakercityherald.com 110 Announcements Email: Classifieds@lagrandeobserver.com Classifieds@bakercityherald.com 110 Announcements 110 Announcements BINGO SETTLER’S PARK ACTIVITIES TUES & THURS.; 1:00 PM Community Connection 2810 Cedar, Baker City 1st FRIDAY (every month) Ceramics with Donna 9:00am to Noon (prices starting at $3) BINGO SETTLER’S PARK Baker City Wednesdays ~ 2:30 PM .25 cents per card Everyone invited! NORTHEAST OREGON CLASSIFIEDS reserves the right to reject ads that do not comply with state and federal regulations or that are offensive, false, misleading, deceptive or otherwise unacceptable You too can use this ATTENTION GETTER! Ask how you can get your ad to stand out like this! SUNDAY Church Services 3:00pm THE DEADLINE for placing a CLASSIFIED AD is 11:00 A.M. ONE BUSINESS DAY BEFORE PUBLICATION Publication Days: Mondays Wednesdays and Fridays MONDAY NIGHTS Nail Care 5:15pm (FREE) LAST TUESDAY (every month) Poker Night (FREE) 6:00pm WEDNESDAY Public Bingo, 1:30pm (.50 cents per card) 114 Self-Help Group Meetings UNION COUNTY AA MEETINGS LA GRANDE MONDAYS Primary Purpose Group 12 - 1:00pm 2620 Bearco Loop TUESDAYS Into Action Group 12 - 1:00 pm Presbyterian Church 1308 Washington Ave. (entry 6th & Spring St.) Surrender Group 7 - 8:00 pm 2620 Bearco Loop City of Elgin Greater Elgin Group 7- 8 :00 pm St. Mary's Catholic Church 93 S 12 St., Elgin WEDNESDAYS Primary Purpose Group 12 - 1:00 pm 2620 Bearco Loop Surrender Group 7 - 8:00 pm 2620 Bearco Loop Island City Soul Sister’s 5:30 p.m. 10801 Walton Rd. Blue Springs Apartments Community Room Turning Point Group 7 - 8:15 pm 63161 Gekeler Lane Fort Union Grange Hall (Corner of McAllister & Gekeler) 114 Self-Help Group Meetings THURSDAYS Surrender Group 7 - 8:00 pm 2620 Bearco Loop City of Cove Cove Group 7 - 8:00 pm Baptist Church 707 Main St. EVERY MORNING (Monday - Friday) Exercise Class 9:30am (FREE) Fax: La Grande - 541-963-3674 Baker City - 541-523-6426 These little ads really work Join the thousands of othe people in this area who are regular users of the classi fied. See how simple and effective they can be. We're open from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. for your convenience. DOES EVERYONE KNOW YOUR BUSINESS Even if you think they do you'll have to keep remind ing them about it. Grande Ronde Valley Group 7 - 8:00 pm Presbyterian Church 1308 Washington Ave. (entry 6th & Spring St.) WALLOWA COUNTY AA MEETINGS Enterprise MONDAYS Enterprise Group 7:00 pm 113.5 E Main St. TUESDAYS Enterprise Group 12 - 1:00 pm 113.5 E Main St. Enterprise Group 7 - 8:00 pm (Big Bk Study) 113.5 E Main St. WEDNESDAYS Enterprise Group 7:00 pm 113.5 E Main St. House need new paint? The Service Directory is the place to look. THURSDAYS Enterprise Group 12 - 1:00 pm 113.5 E Main St. All Classifieds ads must be prepaid before they will print. All Saints (Mens Mtg) 7:00 pm 113.5 E Main St. FRIDAYS Enterprise Group 7:00 pm 113.5 E Main St. SATURDAYS Enterprise Group 7:00 pm 113.5 E Main St. City of Elgin SATURDAYS Surrender Group 10 - 11:00 am 2620 Bearco Loop 114 Self-Help Group Meetings Placing an ad in Classified is a very easy, simple process Just call the Classified Department and we'll help you word your ad for maxi mum response. FRIDAYS Primary Purpose Group 12 - 1:00 pm 2620 Bearco Loop Elgin Group (Winter only) 6:00 PM 70564 Valley View Rd (in shop) DEADLINES: LINE ADS: Monday: noon Friday Wednesday: noon Tuesday Friday: noon Thursday DISPLAY ADS: 2 Days Prior to Publication Date GVLV D G H OLVK À E L X V V ZHS ULGD\ UFOD H U R I R NE GD\EHI HVGD\) I L D DEA OON WKH D\:HGQ N 0RQG 2 1 E R QGD\V R BEFO FDWL L O E 3X SUNDAYS Miracles Meeting 10 - 11:00 am 2620 Bearco Loop City of Joseph MONDAYS Grace and Dignity (Womans Mtg) 6:00 pm Joseph United Methodist Church 301 S. Lake St, Corner 3rd & Lake Side Stairs on Lake St. WEDNESDAYS Grace and Dignity (Womans Mtg) 12 pm 301 S. Lake St., Church Basement City of Wallowa SUNDAYS Assembly of God Church 7pm Questions call AA Hotline: 541-624-5117 www.oregonaadistrict29.org 541-523-3673 | 541-963-3161 Questions call AA Hotline: 541-624-5117 www.oregonaadistrict29.org
