CISCA is partnering with manufacturers to host virtual Lunch & Learn Sessions starting February 10 at 12:30 p.m. CT. This is a great opportunity to explore and learn more about cutting-edge products and ask any questions. Lunch is provided. Registration is required at least 48 hours in advance.

Construction employment in December remained below pre-pandemic levels in two-thirds of the states even though 37 states and the District of Columbia added construction jobs from November to December, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government employment data released recently.

A new report details how construction costs have changed across 12 U.S. cities since the coronavirus pandemic began. Broken down by market, all of the U.S. cities in the Rider Levett Bucknall report saw at least small gains, except for Chicago, which experienced a 1.29% decrease in comparative costs from October 2019 to October 2020.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) has issued new guidance in its ongoing efforts to support the American workforce through the pandemic recovery. As employers continue to meet the challenges presented to their businesses by the coronavirus, and as telework arrangements and virtual communication increasingly provide solutions, the agency provides additional guidance to maximize the benefits of these arrangements for employers and workers alike.

The built environment shapes our behaviors and lifestyles, and the COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically impacted the design and operation of commercial buildings in several ways. From shutting down for months at a time to rethinking the way we view and reconfigure spaces to keep occupants safe—it is becoming clear that coming out of the pandemic, the focus is going to be on health and wellness.

Employers who take a more tailored approach to supporting workers who return to work after a mental health-related absence “could not only prevent mental health problems from becoming more severe but also help employees achieve a more sustainable return,” according to a new research report from the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health.

For contractors and small construction companies, the importance of having the right amount of the right types of business insurance can’t be overstated. For many small businesses that don’t have adequate coverage, the cost of one liability lawsuit can be more than the company can bear. Sadly, it’s not unheard of for contractors and construction companies to go out of business as the result of being sued.

Companies always hope that their employees never get injured on the job, but the reality is that workplace accidents do happen, particularly in the construction space. In fact, OSHA reports that the construction industry is responsible for more workers’ compensation claims on an annual basis than any other industry in the United States.

As construction business owners plan for the year and evaluate prospects for new business, it would be prudent to also take a hard look internally to see what can be done to sharpen the edge and make operations more efficient and productive. One strategy to consider is digital transformation.

CISCA is the global premier authority for the interior construction, acoustical ceilings and acoustical treatment industry, fostering professional development and exchanges for and between association members and industry professionals. Be sure to visit our website often as new material is posted regularly.

CISCA is the global premier authority for the interior construction, acoustical ceilings and acoustical treatment industry. Market your products/services to the multi-billion dollar interior systems industry today.

With 28 years of commitment to Canadian independent distributors, and as a sign of its focus on further investment in the Canadian market, AD announced it has made the strategic decision to establish AD Canada as a distinct business unit, serving the more than 150 members of its three Canada-based divisions.