COVID-19 Vaccinations in the Workplace
() Recently, various COVID-19 vaccines have become available and as of February 27, 2021, the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) issued an emergency use authorization (“EUA”) for a third COVID-19 vaccine. Employers should beware that it is currently not settled as to whether COVID-19 vaccines can be mandated as a condition of employment while they are approved on an EUA basis.
Posted 5/13/21 (Thu)read more...
Member Feature: Bismarck Parks and Recreation District
() Throughout his 42-year career in parks and recreation, Bina has experienced the power of collaboration among employees who work tirelessly to deliver valuable services in a safe, professional manner and with partners, including local associations, organizations, clubs, local and state government, and many individuals, to serve the diverse recreation needs of a community.
Posted 5/11/21 (Tue)read more...
How to Keep Your Organization's Information Safe and Secure
() Over the past several years, entities have transitioned more and more of their operations to online environments and migrated their documents into cloud storage, allowing greater mobility and accessibility for employees. These benefits have proved critical during the pandemic because they enable employees to work remotely with little to no interruption, but they also present new security challenges.
Posted 4/15/21 (Thu)read more...
Preparing Your Amenities or Facilities for Spring
() As we prepare for warmer spring and summer temperatures, and the likelihood that even more people will be heading outside, it’s important your local government entity ensures the continued safety of your employees and the public who use your amenities or facilities.
Posted 3/25/21 (Thu)read more...
Electrical Fire Safety
() Every day, when we plug in our phones to their chargers or turn on our computers at the office, we rarely, if ever, think about the path electricity took to provide power to our devices and electronics, let alone if every juncture along the way is safe.
Posted 3/16/21 (Tue)read more...
Progress Update: The NDIRF’s Administration of the NDFT
() The NDIRF has administered the North Dakota Fire & Tornado Fund (NDFT) since June 2019. This Fund provides property coverage for state and local government entities, allowing the NDIRF to further serve you.
Posted 3/10/21 (Wed)read more...
Member Feature: Williams County
() In 2010, Williams County employed 140 full-time workers. Then the oil boom struck.
Over the next six years, the county nearly doubled its full-time workforce to meet the needs of its community’s swelling population, a task that required it to recruit, hire, and train new employees at an unprecedented rate as well as retain existing employees.
Posted 3/02/21 (Tue)read more...
January 2021 Edition: Top Five Most Popular LocalGovU Courses
() Our first 2021 edition of this LocalGovU update includes SIX of the most popular courses taken in January because there was a three-way tie for the last spot in our top-five list. What this news means for you is that there is an additional course you get to learn about and maybe even put on your list as one to take in the future.
Posted 2/23/21 (Tue)read more...
Simple Ways to Reduce Slips, Trips, and Falls
() Each year thousands of people are injured, some seriously, due to
slips, trips, or falls. To help reduce these types of injuries at your
organization, here are some precautions you can take.
Posted 2/17/21 (Wed)read more...
What is New Employee Onboarding?
() Employee onboarding is the process of integrating and helping new employees learn about the organization, its structure, and its vision, mission and values, as well as providing them the information, tools, and training needed to become a productive member of the team.
Posted 2/02/21 (Tue)read more...
Online Resources: How to Submit a Claim
() As we’ve expanded our coverage administration to further serve our membership, including the administration of the North Dakota Fire & Tornado Fund (NDFT), which provides property coverage, and the State Bonding Fund, which provides employee fidelity risk coverage, we understand the importance of providing you with clear instruction regarding how to submit a claim.
Posted 1/14/21 (Thu)read more...
The "Right to Work" for a Political Subdivision in an "At-Will" State
() You have probably heard that North Dakota is a “right to work” state. You have probably also heard that North Dakota is an “at-will employment” state. Both of these terms are commonly used, but also commonly misunderstood.
Posted 1/12/21 (Tue)read more...
DDC Courses Now Offered Online
() We’re excited to announce Defensive Driving Courses (DDC) are now available online through our partnership with the National Safety Council.
Posted 1/06/21 (Wed)read more...
Keep Your Inbox Safe with these Email Security Tips
() As the frequency and sophistication of cyber attacks grow, it’s important your employees understand some simple things they can do to help protect your entity from an email cyber attack.
Posted 1/04/21 (Mon)read more...
Member Feature: Grand Forks Police Department
() While evaluating options for a replacement Use of Force Simulator, Deputy Chief Jim Remer, Lt. Bill Macki and Lt. Dwight Love of the Grand Forks Police Department (GFPD) were introduced to a new, state-of-the art law enforcement training simulator that features over 600 scenarios, replicating the various interactions officers have with the public every day to help them determine the proper level of force to use in each scenario. The distinguishing factor between this simulator and others was its emphasis on de-escalation and the opportunity for officers to practice de-escalation techniques in nearly every scenario.
Posted 1/10/22 (Mon)read more...
NDPHIT Update and FAQ
() We shared the following North Dakota Public Health Insurance Trust (NDPHIT) update in our Summer Participator to inform members who expressed interest in participating in NDPHIT about when they can expect to receive pricing information. Additionally, this update informed members who may be interested in participating in NDPHIT in the future about how they can contact Hays Companies directly or the NDIRF at NDPHIT@ndirf.com.
Posted 7/21/20 (Tue)read more...
LocalGovU features Computer Security Basics
() Whether your organization is preparing to resume its operations in the office while following ND Response and CDC guidelines or continue remote working conditions, it's important your employees understand how to protect their personal and professional information as well as your organization's information while they're connected to your organization's network.
Posted 6/15/20 (Mon)read more...
April 2020 Edition: Top five most popular LocalGovU courses
() We recently tabulated the results from the number of LocalGovU courses taken by NDIRF members in April 2020, discovering the following to be the top five most popular courses taken. The course names and descriptions are written as provided in LocalGovU.
Posted 5/27/20 (Wed)read more...
NDIRF recommendations for continuing or reopening operations, programs, and/or facilities during COVID-19
() To reduce the possible liability ramifications of continuing or reopening your operations, programs, and facilities, the NDIRF recommends you follow the guidelines provided by ND Response and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Posted 5/12/20 (Tue)read more...
NDPHIT Program Overview presentation slides
() In collaboration with Hays Companies, the NDIRF hosted NDPHIT Program Overview webinars April 22-23. Check out this post to view slides from the webinar presentation!
Posted 4/28/20 (Tue)read more...