The Chamber is offering an Employer Resource webinar series for businesses in the greater Federal Way area, beginning in January. The Chamber is partnering with Washington’s Employment Security Department/SharedWork program to offer four free webinars in 2022.

The Employment Resource series is designed to inform and educate employers and business owners of SharedWork and other programs that support business. The webinars will feature program experts and include dedicated Q&A time for the participants.

“As we continue to move through the pandemic, the Chamber is working with economic partners to provide information on programs that can enhance business operations,” said Chamber CEO Rebecca Martin. “We’re all in this together and connecting businesses in our regional footprint to resources continues to be a high priority focus of our Chamber.”

The following webinars are scheduled in the Employer Resources series:

• Jan. 11: The Tax & Wages webinar will focus on unemployment insurance tax and wages. The session will address the key components of tax and wage, an overview of UI tax experience rates, benefit and relief of charges, audit and investigation program, refunds and more.

• Feb. 15: The Washington Cares Fund webinar will focus on the new WA Cares, long-term services and supports. The Legislature and Governor Inslee have announced plans to change and improve the WA Cares Fund during the 2022 legislative session, which is scheduled to conclude in March 2022. Per direction from the Governor, ESD will not collect premiums from employers until April 2022 or until further direction is received.

• April 19: Paid Family and Medical Leave is the topic of the April webinar. The session will address how paid leave works, employer role and responsibilities, and how to estimate paid leave premiums for business.

• June 14: This webinar will address the Washington Opportunity Tax credit and the Federal Bonding Program. WOTC is a tax credit program that provides an incentive for employers to hire people who may have difficulties becoming employed. The Federal Bonding Program protects employers against employee theft, forgery, larceny and embezzlement.

In addition, each webinar includes a session on the SharedWork program, including steps to enroll, business eligibility and program benefits, how a workplace can improve with the program, and answers to the most common SharedWork questions.

The Employer Resource series is co-hosted with the Washington Employment Security Department and is open to any business at no cost. More information and registration information is online at fedwaychamber.com.