Last season, many landscape companies were audited by the Department of Labor (DOL). Here, Scot LeDue, vice president/general manager. A Perfect Landscape, Inc., and Marie Peacock, owner GARDENZ, interacted directly with auditors when their firms were audited last season. Here, they share lessons learned and advice for others who may be visited by DOL this season.

In 2015, the US Department of Labor (DOL) will be performing investigations targeting the landscape industry for the fourth year in a row. Do you worry that you'll be chosen for an audit from the DOL? To help you prepare your business for an audit, it's a good idea to review your obligations according to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). 

Former DOL investigator talks about audits: Get her inside story about what you need to know and do

Landscape companies have been a specific target of the U.S. Department of Labor: Wage and Hour Division (DOL WHD) for several years. According to the U.S. DOL Data Enforcement website, landscape companies agreed to pay more than $20 million in back wages to their employees between 2006 and 2012 for violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act - an amount that does not include other charges such as penalties and damages.

Recent data collected by the crop protection industry from the USDA, FAO and StatisticsCanada shows that bee populations even in intensely farmed areas of the world are increasing rather than rapidly decreasing.

The Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) is coordinating a series of activities throughout 2015 International Year of Soil (IYS) to educate the public about the importance of soil. February’s theme is “Soils Support Urban Life.” In SSSA’s February Soils Matter blog post, staff from Chicago’s Metropolitan Water Reclamation District explain how rain gardens work.

Last week, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) released its annual list of the Top 10 States for LEED, the world’s most widely used and recognized green building rating system, ranking states in terms of square feet of LEED space per state resident. The per-capita list highlights states throughout the country that are making significant strides in sustainable building design, construction and transformation. Colorado placed #2 on the list for 2014.

In an industry that requires skill in execution and the consistent delivery of services, common sense logic would indicate that job skills are number one and that experienced workers are always in the driver’s seat when it comes to being hired. Seems logical, yes, but the results of ALCC’s Fast Friday poll earlier this month indicate that some companies have always prized character and others are shifting their priorities in that direction.

We asked, “What’s your #1 hiring priority, job skills or character/qualities?” And for those willing to say more, we also asked if they had changed their recruiting game plan during the last couple years in response to the shortage of people to fill positions at all levels.

While only 10% of ALCC Fast Friday poll respondents value skills more than character, they are informed dissenters who speak with conviction based on many years of experience in the industry. Below is one business owner’s position on why skills are No. 1.

As a small business owner, my hiring priority is job skills. Always.

Do you receive resumes that list courses and certifications that you don’t immediately recognize?

If you work in the Denver metro area, you might have seen Mi Casa Resource Center or Mi Casa Innovation Lab on a resume but moved right past it. For Denver area businesses, it is worth your time to be aware of Mi Casa programs to find quality candidates with a drive to succeed.

Mi Casa Resource Center offers many services to help working families achieve lasting economic success. While services are mostly targeted to Latinos, they welcome everyone looking to improve their financial health and develop a career path. Several programs could serve as a resource to landscape companies seeking qualified, reliable staff.

Building with wood is poised to be the next big trend in green construction and the United States Forest Service (USFS) is working diligently to make it a reality.

The environmental benefit of using wood in building products creates fewer greenhouse gasses than commonly used materials. And wood – including beetle-killed trees - harvested from Colorado and throughout the Rocky Mountain region could become a major resource in this next step of green building.