December 2025

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BLD Connection News

Scholarships That Help Build Brighter Futures Across Our Region

Members in the Mid-America region and Nebraska continue to invest in education and career growth. New scholarship opportunities for 2026 to 2027 are now available for students and employees. Continue reading to learn more and access applications.

Getting Ready for the End of the Penny

The penny may soon disappear from circulation. The U.S. Treasury has already signaled that production will stop once the current supply of penny blanks is gone, possibly as soon as 2026. For independent lumber yards and building supply dealers, this change will influence how you handle cash, how your systems operate, and how customers experience transactions at the counter.

By preparing now, you can avoid confusion, keep your accounting clean, and help your staff explain the change with confidence.

OECS is Now Part of the U.S. Compliance Family!

BLD Connection is pleased to share an important update from our endorsed safety partner, OECS. OECS has joined U.S. Compliance, a national leader in environmental, health, and safety services, bringing together two teams that share a deep commitment to helping businesses protect their people and stay compliant.

For BLD members, this means the same trusted OECS safety experts you rely on, now backed by expanded tools, resources, and expertise. Click below to read OECS’s full announcement.

PFML: Employer Requirements Due December 1

Minnesota’s Paid Family & Medical Leave (PFML) law begins January 1, 2026, and employers across the state have key responsibilities to complete well before the program launches. Today, December 1, 2025, is the deadline to distribute required employee notices and display the state mandated PFML poster in each workplace.

Articles & Publications

Expect What You Inspect

Mike McDole, Firing Line LBM Advisors

Ever overheard a yard conversation that stopped you in your tracks? That is exactly what happened to Mike when he came upon a candid exchange about crooked 2x10 stacks and suddenly realized how quickly inventory dollars can slip away. Many employees do not understand the true cost of damaged materials, but with a little education and a few eye-opening numbers, everything can change.

This story shows how Mike used the simple principle “Expect What You Inspect” to help turn a shrink problem into a success.

HR Question of the Month

Telecommuting and Privacy

From Federated Insurance

Question

We allow our employees to telecommute when it snows during the colder months. We have an employee claiming that, since he performs work at home on his personal computer, we are not allowed to monitor his work. Is this true? Should we provide all employees with company-issued laptops to use at home, allowing us to monitor their work? We are hesitant to do this because we are concerned that our employees may lose or damage our equipment.

Northwestern Lumber Association and Mid-America Lumbermens Association are now BLD Connection. Read About Our Transformation!

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