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WAYNE GARDNER executive vice president

S THE END of summer approaches and vacations have been taken, we start to look ahead to the fall meeting schedule. Sometimes it's staggering and you begin to wonder how you get any work done and yet attend one or all ofthe meetings that seem to be important.

In case your schedule isn't totally filled, let me add some meetings that LASC will be conducting and/or be affiliated with.

The fabulous 2nd Growth group, now including alt people 40 and under, will be having a dinner meeting Sept. 10 at the City of Commerce Hyaft House. These meetings are great for that age employee and don't take them away from the business during working hours. The programs are always excellent; so watch for the announcement on this one from the LASC office.

ln October, NLBMDA has their ilth annual meeting at the Westin Crown Center in Kansas City, Mo. LASC is part of NLBMDA and therefore all LASC members are invited.

tions between business people are not so regulated."

I'm certain this information is of interest to many ofyou in and ofitself. It's interesting in a different way to me.

One big reason LMA received this "legal opinion" gratis is that David and his law firm are associate members of our association. In some form or other, all of our state and regional dealer associations have associate members. Their importance to our organizations is enorTnous.

Financially, while our associates pay their way, we don't collect big bucks from them in dues. That's because we want lhem in our organizations and weneedrhemto be involved. Our regular members need the goods and services of our associates and the association benefis from their interest every time we hold a trade show, publish free advice, hold a convention or seminar, or welcome a new member referred by an associate. (Bill Barr of Pacific Forest Products is directly responsible for the initial contact with one of LMA's newest members.)

I am occasionally criticized for the way I add emphasis to titles when I write, but in my book associate will always be spelled with a capital '4."

The program begins Thursday, Oct. 9, at 7:30 a.m. with a joint WWPA, WPPC, Retailers, NAWLA gathering to hear about the newest programs and projects of industry related associations.

Later in the day the NLBMDA board meets and all are welcome to attend that. At 4:30 a special "Fint Timers" meeting is to be held to orient the first time attendee and help them get acquainted.

Roger Dawson will be the opening speaker on Friday morning with his "Win-V/in" presentation. Roger is the author of "You Can Get Anything You Want." Sounds like we all better be there.

Later in the day there will be programs on computers, insurance and business management including employee incentive programs. After lunch the computer exhibit will be open

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Step by Step Instructions

CHUCK LINK executive director

ERMINATION policies are important. Do you have an established policy for paying a terminated employee's unused vacation and providing seveftmce pay? Inconsistent treatment ofemployees can result in serious problems for your firm and even lawsuits.

To protect your firm: o Establish a formal poliry for severance pay and accumulated leave. o Put the policy in writing, preferably in a personnel manual. o Make sure the policy is communicated at the time of employment and at intervals thereafter. such as at salary review time. o Have employees sign a statement that the policy has been explained and that it is understood.

Instruct management and supervisory per- sonnel about the specifics and the need for consistent application.

. Document the justification for any exceptions that arise.

It's always a good idea to review labor relations matten with an appropriate attorney to be sure federal, state and local laws and regulations are being complied with.

Customer attitudes about unresolved product complaints appear to differ substantially in relation to the price of the item. For small ticket items (those under $5), failure to resolve a problem with the product will not affect brand loyalty, and fewer than halfthe customers will switch to another product. For large ticket items (those over $100), fewer than one-fifth of the customers will continue to use the product. Interestingly, quick resolution of a customer complaint can be used to strengthen brand loyalry. Regardless of product price, over four-fifths of customers remain loyal to the brand when their complaint is handled promptly.

The Farental and Medical kave Act of 1986 (HR 4300 and 5278) would increase dealers' employee costs. Specifically, it would federally require all businesses which employ five or more workers to grant 18 weeks of unpaid parental leave within a two year period, and allow 26 weeks ofunpaid disability leave within a one year period. The legislation requires employers to reinstate the employee to the same position with the same pay. During the leave, the employer would be required to continue health insurance benefits. Also troublesome is a provision in the bill that would establish a commission to investigate future federal requirements for paid parental leave.

This legislation represents a clear federal intrusion into the privatc sector and its right to establish company personnel policies and procedures. It would limit employer flexibility and eliminate the employer's ability to tailor benefis to both the business and worker's particular needs.

If you are concerned and wish to contact Congress, write to your representative and senators at the following addresses:

The Honorable (Senator)

United States Senate

Washington, D.C.20510

The Honorable (Representative)

United States House of Representatives Washinston. D.C.20515

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