Business

Oregon Talent Assessment Survey

East Cascades Works requests your participation in a survey with Oregon’s employers on behalf of Oregon’s Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) and Workforce and Talent Development Board (WTDB).  Capturing employer perspectives is critical to understanding...

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Bend’s Evolving Commercial Landscape—By Katy Brooks

There are more “for lease” signs showing up at commercial properties around Bend than there has been in a long time. To find out why, I asked some experts in the field if we should be worried. Their bottom line — there are several causes of the softening of the...

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Labor Department Seeks 55% Boost in Overtime Threshold

The U.S. Department of Labor on Aug. 30 released a notice of proposed rulemaking that would increase minimum pay for salaried workers exempt from overtime requirements under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The proposed rule would establish a threshold of $1,059...

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OregonSaves

Help your employees build financial security. As businesses work to recover from the financial impact of COVID-19, their employees are looking for benefits that give them more financial security. In fact, 51% of Americans have increased concern about their retirement...

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Central Oregon Economic Indicators April 2023

Economy in Central Oregon By Nicole Ramos  | Regional Economist, East Cascades | Oregon Employment Department In April, Central Oregon's total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 1,620 jobs year-over-year, with employment gains taking place in the counties of...

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Central Oregon Economic Indicators March 2023

Economy in Central Oregon By Nicole Ramos  | Regional Economist, East Cascades | Oregon Employment Department In Central Oregon, total nonfarm payroll employment was up by 2,720 jobs year-over-year, with most employment gains taking place in Deschutes County (+2,210...

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State Announces Minimum Wage Increases

(Portland, OR) — Pursuant to ORS 653.025(5), Commissioner Stephenson determined that the minimum wage rates in Oregon will increase on July 1, 2023. Raising the minimum wage can increase worker productivity, reduce absenteeism, and strengthen recruitment and retention...

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Understanding the Cost-Benefit of Staffing

By Chris Petty, Franchise Manager, Express Employment Professionals of Central Oregon In North America, there are estimated to be more than 25,000 staffing and recruiting agencies, with nearly 50,000 offices in the U.S. alone. After the ups and downs the workforce...

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Road to Leadership Still Challenging for Women

By Katy Brooks, CEO This article first appeared in The Bulletin on April 2, 2023 As we close out Women’s History Month — an annual celebration of contributions of women in history, culture and society, it’s a good time to recognize the role of women in business and...

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Central Oregon Economic Indicators February 2023

Economy in Central Oregon By Jake Procino  | Workforce Analyst/Economist, East Cascades | Oregon Employment Department Over the last 12 months ending in January, Oregon’s total nonfarm payroll employment grew 3.7%, adding 70,800 jobs. All central Oregon counties have...

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