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Searchlight is a quarterly newsletter for employees of the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

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Page 1: Searchlight December 2014
Page 2: Searchlight December 2014

InsideFeature story Flashback: 50 years with Employment Security

Live, local, on the go - Tennessee apps 4-5

Flashback: 50 Years ago with ES 6-7

Frozen Turkey? 8

Snapshot 9-11

VOS Goes Live 12-13

Paychecks for Patriots 14-15

A not-so-governmental approach to 16-17serving employers

Say What? Worst Holiday Gift 18-19

State Holidays and Office Closures 20

Commendations 21-23

State Perks 24

Employer Contacts 25

New Hires and Promotions 26

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*Special thanks to State Photographer Dawn Majors

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Flashback: 50 years ago with Employment SecurityWe’re pleased to spotlight Richard Upchurch, longtime counselor in the Nashville American Job Center, who just completed 50 years employment with the department.

When Richard, a new graduate of UT-Knoxville, began with the then-Department of Employment Security in 1964, the country was in the midst of a decade of social change. Lyndon Johnson was president, and his administration spawned a spate of social programs and initiatives.

SL: Talk a little about the social and political landscape of the 1960s when you started with Employment Security.RU: President Johnson, LBJ - himself politically the product of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s massive attempt 30 years earlier to bring the country out of the Great Depression by a collection of initiatives and programs known as the New Deal - came up with his updated version of something similar. President Johnson continued the tone of the predecessor Kennedy administration to address the problems of poverty and disadvantage during his own administration in the early and mid-60s - these Johnson administration programs to be known as the Great Society. The states joined in, especially those state programs mandated, funded, or assisted by the federal government . . . and of course our agency, Employment Security, was one of them.

SL: How did the application and referral process work?RU: Each interviewer kept orders for given job classifications, and if you were trying to place an applicant, many times you would need to go to the interviewer who had orders on his desk in that classification. Job applications, known as 511s, were all coded from the Dictionary of Occupational Titles and filed according to primary and secondary codes.

SL: Putting young people into job training or to work was emphasized during the late 60s and into the 70s. How did federal programs with that goal affect how the department operated back then?RU: A year or so after I started, a jovial, peppery little man appeared on the ground floor where I was working and we - all the new counselors that had undergone special training over on the Fisk campus and a few others as well - would follow him to our new office on Hayes Street, to be known as the Youth Opportunity Center, one of several established in metropolitan areas back then to serve 16-to-21-year-olds. It was kind of made for young idealists of the day, and I guess I was one of them. Now we had a place and

“It was kind of made for young idealists of the day, and I guess I was one of them.”

Richard Upchurch - Employment Security Youth Opportunity Center employee in Nashville, Tennessee, April 1970

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a manager and a missions - just “do what you can” with the full support of the national and state and local governments to help as many poor folks get out of the “prison of poverty” as we could by job placement, job training, special job opportunities created to put them to work in the local communities and also the Job Corps.

SL: Providing intense, one-on-one assistance to job applicants - particularly the younger ones who were making career choices or adjusting to jobs they had - was emphasized so during the 60s and 70s that some select new employees with the department recently out of college were sent back to school to get master’s degrees in counseling. Richard was one who was chosen for that program, which funded college expenses as well as the departmental salaries for those in the program during the nine months or so they were away at school. Richard earned his master’s in counseling at MTSU.

RU: Job Corps was what I spent a lot of my time on back then - putting up posters, speaking at community centers (not to mention a few pool rooms), handling paperwork, getting parents’ signatures, swearing them in, putting them on planes, often to go sometimes all the way across the country for GED and job training in the Job Corps Centers. From the poor neighborhood to get on the enormous silver bird to fly to somewhere unknown, far away, did take a measure of fortitude, but the kids did it . . . although quite a few did not stay long. At least one old country boy recruited perhaps earnestly but a bit unwisely in a nearby rural county walked all the way home from a Job Corps Center up in Kentucky, probably an extreme case of culture

shock. One guy I put into the Job Corps in the 60s learned welding and did that for a while; he now drives for a wealthy businessman. He always tells me he is available for any kind of work I need him for and has about 20 grandchildren compared to my one (so far).

The career centers - local offices, we called them - had ERRs (employer relations representatives - forerunners of today’s public relations specialists) who solicited orders from employers. As now, there were veterans’ representatives; their functions were emphasized in the wake of the military actions in Vietnam, as they would be after U.S. military actions in Desert Storm, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

Richard’s reminiscences span 50 years, and many are snapshots of the social culture of the times. Federal workforce development programs have seen iterations during successive administrations: many of us remember MDTA,CETA, JTPA . . . and most recently the Stimulus Program of the current administration. As social programs have been curtailed or expanded, and we have become increasingly reliant on automation and technology, a strong objective of the public employment service remains - to meet the changing demands of the workforce by supplying qualified workers.

“It was kind of made for young idealists of the day, and I guess I was one of them.”

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Frozen Turkey? A practical recipe requiring an internal audit of your own.

Chris Risher Director of Internal Audit in Nashville

Chris Risher’s No Sweat Turkey Prep Recipe1. Use a fresh or thawed turkey. [I thawed two turkeys, which were breast only and weighted around 7 pounds each.] 2. Season the turkeys with Morton’s All Natural Seasoning Mix, some thyme, and a half stick of butter into the cavity. I placed the seasoning between the skin and meat. I placed the turkeys (breast-side down) on a rack, which went into a disposable aluminum pan. You can add some liquid or vegetables to the bottom of the pan, if you want. I also sprayed the turkeys and rack with non-stick cooking spray (i.e. Pam). 3. Smoke the turkeys at 350 degrees until the internal temperature reading reaches at least 165 degrees. After around 2 hours, I wrapped the turkeys with aluminum foil. 4. Once the turkeys are cooked, remove the turkeys from the smoker and allow them to rest for 20 to 30 minutes. If you did not wrap the turkeys in aluminum foil earlier, then wrap them in aluminum foil. 5. After allowing them to rest, remove the meat from the bone and place into a Ziploc bag(s) and put the meat into the refrigerator. 6. After around at least 12 hours, place the Ziploc bags with the turkey meat into the freezer. 7. The day before serving the turkey, remove the turkey from the freezer and place into the refrigerator.

8. Shortly before serving the turkey, slice the turkey and pour boiling hot chicken stock (including spices if wanted) over the turkey.

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SnapshotLOOK AT WHAT YOUR FELLOW EMPLOYEES ARE UP TO

Oscar Frederick winner of theMetal/Nonmetal National

Champion for Novice teams

Walter Wyatt and Elaine Shank using an innovative approach

to meet employers in Crossville

Chattanooga Career Center Angela Lawrence holding her M.A.S.H.

medal for providing job readiness skills and employment

opportunities to Vets

Denise Carrus climbing rock walls at

The Lift in Jackson

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Susie Bourque (third from right on back row) with

fellow Employment First Task Force members and Governor Haslam

Knoxville WIA and Career Center staff wearing pink in honor of

WIA staff Elaine Reagan, who is a breast cancer survivor

Central Office TREAT Team member Sharyn Pelych leads a

WEOC presentation to employers in Chattanooga

Deputy Swayne barbecuing at the Central Office

Backlog Cookout

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Susie Bourque (third from right on back row) with

fellow Employment First Task Force members and Governor Haslam

Knoxville WIA and Career Center staff wearing pink in honor of

WIA staff Elaine Reagan, who is a breast cancer survivor

Central Office TREAT Team member Sharyn Pelych leads a

WEOC presentation to employers in Chattanooga

Deputy Swayne barbecuing at the Central Office

Backlog Cookout

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Third annual Paychecks for Patriots connects veterans with major Tennessee employers.

More than 200 employers, including Dollar General, Fed Ex, Jack Daniel’s, Gibson Guitar, Eastman, Hospital Corporation of America (HCA), Vanderbilt University, Amazon, Bridgestone, and Lowe’s, gathered in 10 locations across Tennessee this year to interview veterans for employment. For the third straight year, Dollar General led the hiring event for veterans, which was supported by Governor Haslam and backed by the Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development.

The hiring event is getting bigger every year. New employers joined those returning from the past two years for a total of more than 200 employers statewide interviewing veterans. Nashville’s site grew to LP Field (Tennessee Titans Stadium) to accommodate the 60 employers who registered.

Speaking from a federal perspective on Tennessee’s Paychecks for Patriots, USDOL Assistant Secretary for Veterans Employment and Training Services Keith Kelly, who came to Nashville to help kick off the event, said the Tennessee model is a good one.

“As I go around the country I see it is critical to put together employers and match them with veterans coming to the events looking for work. A business or organization takes up the leadership and works with the state workforce staff, which is always a great network resource. Tennessee’s model is really working, I can tell.”

The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) recognized paychecks for Patriots as a winning community relations project. The association presented its Parthenon Award, the highest honor the PRSA gives to local public relations professionals, for both the 2012 and 2013 Paychecks for Patriots events.

Based on the success of the event, Georgia and Florida are now holding Paychecks for Patriots fairs in their states, modeled on Tennessee’s.

Paychecks for Patriots is just one of many Jobs4TN hiring events the department holds throughout the year in cities and communities across Tennessee. This past year, the department facilitated more than 50 such events connecting job seekers and employers with immediate hiring needs.

Whether you are an employer who wants to have a hiring event specifically for your company or who would like to join other employers at a hiring event, the department can help. Contact Labor & Workforce Development Public Relations Director Ron Hammontree regarding assistance for a hiring event: [email protected] or (615) 741-8892.

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State PerksBelow are just a few of the dis-counts available to state em-ployees. Check out the full list of savings athttp://www.tn.gov/employees/discount.shtml

Verizon WirelessUp to 19% off the monthly

access fee on qualifying voice plans of $34.99 or higher. Up to

25% off accessories

Hertz #1 Club Gold Fee waivedTo enroll in the fee-waived #1 http://link.hertz.com/link.

Firestone Tires10% off in-stock Bridgestone and Firestone Tires.

From You Flowerswww.fromyouflowers.com/Save 20% on all flowers & gifts

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To list a job/for help navigating www.jobs4tn.gov TREAT (Tennessee Registered Employer Assistance Team)(855) 747-1719 (toll-free) or (615) 253-7664

Workers’ Compensation - General info, such as coverage requirements, employer responsibility for reporting workplace injuries, Drug Free Workplace program1-800-332-2667 (toll-free) or (615) 741-2395

Employer Accounting - Corrections to postings of premium reports and pay-ments; refunds and adjustments to employers’ accounts; questions on premium reports, delinquent notices, and account balance; help on completing quarterly reports, IRS certifications, FUTA certifications; and employer refund processing(615) 741-1619

Employer Services - Set up an account, determine if liable for unemployment premiums, change address or phone number, change business ownership, find out unemployment insurance premium rate, and request quarterly report(615) 741-2486

Premium and Wage Reporting - Report quarterly premium and wage informa-tion; corrections to a worker’s Social Security Number; wage discrepancies on benefit claimsTNPAWS Internet reporting (615) 741-2346Paper reporting (615) 741-3280

SIDES and SIDES E-Response - Employer electronic response to requests for separation [email protected]

Labor Market Information - Unemployment rates; employment-related data for state, metropolitan areas, and individual counties; employment and wages; trends in occupations and industries; available labor; census demographic profiles; green jobs; publications(615) 741-2284

New hire reporting - Report a new hire to the Tennessee New Hire Reporting Program, administered by the Tennessee Department of Human Services(888) 715-2280

Career Coach - Mobile Career Center services. Book a bus or view schedule.(615) 253-6749

Employer Contacts

Use your favorite telephony device to get employers to the right place!

Tennessee Employer is a online publication of the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development is an equalopportunity employer program; auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

If you would like to be added or removed from our mailing list please write [email protected] or call (615) 253-4251. Article suggestions and comments are always welcome.

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Sept

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NEW HIRESFull name County Dept IDGayle Age Davidson Mobile Middle, Career Specialist

Tracy Bunch Davidson Workforce Services,ASA 2 Andrew Beachboard Davidson Nashville Career Center,Career Specialist

Amber Brown Davidson TOSHA, Industrial Hygienist 1Kristy Caldwell Davidson Job Service Program Support, ASA 2

Tina Coates Davidson LMI, Statistical Analyst 1Kimberly Dillard Davidson UI Claims, Unemp Claims Agent

Brandy Eaton Davidson LMI, Statistical Analyst 1Michelle Handelsman Davidson UI Appeals, Unemp Hearing Officer 2

Robert Havens Davidson LMI, Statistical Analyst 1Shavonne Meneese Davidson Nashville Career Center, Career Specialist

Kevin Payne Davidson Amusement Devices, Amusement Device Inspector

Advija Rabchenia Davidson LMI, Statistical Analyst 1Victoria Schuler Davidson UI Claims, Unemp Claims Agent

Sharon Scott Davidson Labor Standards, Administrative Assistant 1Anna Steele Davidson Mobile Middle, Career SpecialistMisty Surine Davidson IT, Information Systems Consultant

Franklin Taylor Davidson Workforce Services, ASA 2 Clyde Thompson Davidson Nashville Career Center,

Veteran Employment Rep 1Thomas Vorholt Davidson UI Appeals Office, Unemp Hearing Officer 2

Ian White Davidson Appeals, Unemployment Hearing Officer 1

Kenneth Winter Davidson Adult Education, Education Consultant 2Diane Essex Hamilton UI Claims, Unemp Claims Agent

David Morrison Hamilton Employer Accounts Office, Unem Accounts Aud 1

Angela Scott-McReynolds

Hamilton UI Claims, Unemp Claims Agent

Kelsey Brackett Knox UI Claims, Unemp Claims AgentLisa Jordan Knox Labor Standards, Labor Standard Inspector

Brooke Robinson Knox UI Claims, Unemp Claims AgentChassity Scott Maury Workforce Services, Career Specialist

Travis Hisel Putnam Labor Standards, Labor Standard InspectorRodger Murray Rutherford Workforce Services,

Veteran Employment Rep 1Jamesha Darnell Shelby TOSHA, Industrial Hygienist 1

Joseph Jessee Sullivan Labor Standards, Labor Standard InspectorJeri Ann Noe Washington Employer Accounts Office,

Unem Accounts Aud 1

Mov

ing

IN

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Full name County Dept IDGayle Age Davidson Mobile Middle, Career Specialist

Tracy Bunch Davidson Workforce Services,ASA 2 Andrew Beachboard Davidson Nashville Career Center,Career Specialist

Amber Brown Davidson TOSHA, Industrial Hygienist 1Kristy Caldwell Davidson Job Service Program Support, ASA 2

Tina Coates Davidson LMI, Statistical Analyst 1Kimberly Dillard Davidson UI Claims, Unemp Claims Agent

Brandy Eaton Davidson LMI, Statistical Analyst 1Michelle Handelsman Davidson UI Appeals, Unemp Hearing Officer 2

Robert Havens Davidson LMI, Statistical Analyst 1Shavonne Meneese Davidson Nashville Career Center, Career Specialist

Kevin Payne Davidson Amusement Devices, Amusement Device Inspector

Advija Rabchenia Davidson LMI, Statistical Analyst 1Victoria Schuler Davidson UI Claims, Unemp Claims Agent

Sharon Scott Davidson Labor Standards, Administrative Assistant 1Anna Steele Davidson Mobile Middle, Career SpecialistMisty Surine Davidson IT, Information Systems Consultant

Franklin Taylor Davidson Workforce Services, ASA 2 Clyde Thompson Davidson Nashville Career Center,

Veteran Employment Rep 1Thomas Vorholt Davidson UI Appeals Office, Unemp Hearing Officer 2

Ian White Davidson Appeals, Unemployment Hearing Officer 1

Kenneth Winter Davidson Adult Education, Education Consultant 2Diane Essex Hamilton UI Claims, Unemp Claims Agent

David Morrison Hamilton Employer Accounts Office, Unem Accounts Aud 1

Angela Scott-McReynolds

Hamilton UI Claims, Unemp Claims Agent

Kelsey Brackett Knox UI Claims, Unemp Claims AgentLisa Jordan Knox Labor Standards, Labor Standard Inspector

Brooke Robinson Knox UI Claims, Unemp Claims AgentChassity Scott Maury Workforce Services, Career Specialist

Travis Hisel Putnam Labor Standards, Labor Standard InspectorRodger Murray Rutherford Workforce Services,

Veteran Employment Rep 1Jamesha Darnell Shelby TOSHA, Industrial Hygienist 1

Joseph Jessee Sullivan Labor Standards, Labor Standard InspectorJeri Ann Noe Washington Employer Accounts Office,

Unem Accounts Aud 1

Full name County Dept IDLinda J. Johnson Campbell Mine Safety Division Administrative SecretaryMarkeesa Scales Davidson TOSHA,Industrial Hygienist 3

John Alexander Davidson Workforce Services, Veterans Employment RepCarl Attkisson Davidson Unemployment Insurance,

LWFD Assistant Administrative 1Jason Beard Davidson Adult Education, LWFD Administrative 1

Roberta Brazier Davidson Benefit Payment Control, Unemp Benefits AuditorMia Cook Davidson Operations, Grants Program Manager

Richard Esmonde Davidson Mobile Services Unit Middle Emp Program Specialist 1

Pamela Finney Davidson IT, Programmer Analyst 4Loleetha Gilbert Davidson Workforce Services, Grants Program Manager

Jillian Hedgepath Davidson UI Claims, Unemp Program Specialist 1Natasha Holder Davidson UI Legal, ASA 2

Nelson Hunter Davidson LMI, Statistical Analyst 4Kyle Jones Davidson TOSHA, Information Officer

Julie Lee Davidson Finance & Facilities, ASA 3Dorothy Morgan Davidson Benefit Payment Control, Unemp Benefits Auditor

Rodney Romano Davidson UI Appeals Offices, Unemp Hearing Officer 2Jane Salem Davidson Benefit Review, Legal Assistant

Sammie Scott-Hyde

Davidson Benefit Payment Control, Unemp Benefits Auditor

Christina Tugman Davidson Labor Standards Administration, Labor Standards Inspector

Clayton Whitmire Davidson IT, Programmer Analyst 4Jeffrey Willhelm Davidson Benefit Payment Control, Unemp Benefits Auditor

Amber Epperson Davidson TOSHA, Occupation Safety Specialist 2 John Sego Davidson TOSHA , Industrial Hygienist 2

Charles Garner Hamilton UI Claims, Unemp Claims Adjudicator Merrill Niswonger Hamilton LWIA 5 , Veterans Outreach Specialist 2

Robert Pendergast Hamilton UI Claims, Unemp Claims Adjudicator Cheryl Wyckoff Hamilton UI Claims, Unemp Claims Adjudicator

Jon Morris Hamilton TOSHA, Occupation Safety Specialist James Parker Knox LWIA 3, Veterans Outreach Specialist 2

Calvin Wyatt Knox TOSHA, Occupation Safety Specialist 3 Simone Hedberg Knox UI Claims, Unemp Claims Adjudicator

Lisa Myatt Knox UI Claims, Unemp Claims Adjudicator Nancy Lewallen Knox TOSHA Industrial Hygienist 2

Sherry Collins Madison TOSHA, Industrial Hygienist Supv Connie Tolley Maury Employer Accounts, Unem Accounts Auditor 3

Virginia Housley McMinn LWIA 5, ES Manager 1 Emily Smith Shelby TOSHA, Industrial Hygienist 2

Timothy Kellum Shelby 2nd Injury Fund Legal, Attorney 3

Moving U

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PROMOTIONS

September - D

ecember 2014