CAMBRIDGE REAL ESTATE SERVICES
Don’t forget that our annual Budget Meeting and holiday luncheon is just weeks away! If you haven’t already RSVP’ed, please contact Tess Urton at turton@cambridgeres.com. Click here for flyer and map.
Street parking is available on Jefferson Parkway, and limited parking available in the lot. See you there!
This is a reminder for all management and maintenance staff to complete a minimum of 8 online classes for the year 2016.
Grace Hill Course Requirement-
Link to Grace Hill website – www.gracehill.com
Please contact Grace Hill Support line at 1.866.472.4455 if you do not remember your login and/or password.
EFORMS UPDATE!
C329 Reasonable Accommodation Request Verification
For Use Effective October 6, 2016
_______ This is a NEW form.
__ X ___ This is a MODIFICATION To An Existing Form
The purpose of the addition of this form and/or form modification is:
The third paragraph of C329 Reasonable Accommodation Request Verification has been changed. Please read through the attached form to be familiar with the change.
If this is a MODIFICATION to an existing form, please discontinue the use of all prior versions of this form effective the date noted above.
The form below will be effective until further notice.
Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact your Property Supervisor.
Save the Date for the Cambridge Symposium!
We are excited to announce that our 2017 Symposium dates are February 7, 8, and 9th, 2017. We will be sending you detailed information on the run of events, location and travel in the near future. Mark these dates on your calendar.
We will see you there!
Thank you to all the communities who participated in this year’s National Night Out! We have received great feedback about the events that were planned and hosted by site staff.
We have put together a National Night Out Recap Newsletter with highlights from the events. You can preview this newsletter by clicking the link below:
2016 National Night Out Recap Newsletter
Everyone will receive a hard copy of this Recap Newsletter with your site mail early next week for sharing with your staff.
Thanks again for all the participation and we are already looking forward to next year’s events!
Effective September 1, 2016 Cambridge will be changing the mileage reimbursement rate to $0.54 per mile from $.575 per mile in accordance with the federal reimbursement rate for 2016.
Information regarding these rates can be found here: https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/standard-mileage-rates/
Mileage rates typically change each year and we expect another rate change in early 2017.
Contact your property supervisor with any questions you might have.
HR Tip of the Week – Meal Breaks and Rest Periods
OREGON:
In general, an employee whose work period is 8 hours is entitled to one 30 minute unpaid meal period and two 10 minute rest breaks. If the work period is between 6-7 hours long, the meal period is to be taken between the 2nd – 5th hour worked. If the work period is more than 7 hours, the meal period is to be taken between the 3rd – 6th hour worked. Below is a general guideline:
Exceptions can be made if an employee is working alone, please contact HR for specifics. More info here: http://www.oregon.gov/boli/TA/pages/t_faq_meal_and_rest_period_rules.aspx
WASHINGTON:
If more than 5 hours are worked, workers are allowed one 30 minute unpaid meal period. Workers must be at least 2 hours into their shift before the meal period can start. The meal period should not start more than 5 hours after the shift began. Workers must be allowed a paid rest break of at least 10 minutes for each 4 hours worked. The rest break must be allowed no later than the end of the 3rd hour of the shift. More info here: http://www.lni.wa.gov/WorkplaceRights/Wages/HoursBreaks/Breaks/default.asp
CALIFORNIA:
If more than 5 hours are worked, workers must be allowed at least one 30 minute unpaid meal period, however, if the employee is scheduled to work 6 hours, the employer and employee can mutually agree (in writing) to waive the meal period for that shift. Rest periods of 10 minutes should be given for every 4 hours worked. More info here: http://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/FAQ_MealPeriods.htm
IDAHO:
No laws are currently in place regarding meal or break periods in Idaho. Whenever possible, it is recommended to use your best judgement or follow the general guidelines for Washington. More information can be found here: http://labor.idaho.gov/dnn/Default.aspx?tabid=693
IMPORTANT REMINDER REGARDING AFTER-HOUR SHIFTS:
Reminder to use the after-hours code on your time sheet and record your actual hours worked. By using the proper code, you will still be paid the minimum 2 hours per company policy. Please only enter the actual hours worked for an after-hours shift and use the after-hours code.
Questions? Please refer to your employee handbook or contact your supervisor or the HR department.
In continuing efforts to provide excellent customer service and in some cases required by law for federally funded projects, we would like to remind you that Cambridge does provide translation and interpretation services when needed. Services available include document translation and interpretation services.
If you need document translation or an in person scheduled interpreter, you would want to contact your supervisor to discuss if this is truly needed and to make the necessary arrangements. If you have someone in your office or over the phone with limited English proficiency that you need to communicate with, we have contracted with Certified Languages International or CLI who can provide real time language interpretation over the phone. I have attached an instruction sheet that you may want to print out and keep somewhere handy in case you ever need to use their services. Just make sure to let them know what property you are calling from for billing purposes.
In keeping with this standard we are now requiring that all properties post a sign in the leasing office letting residents and prospective residents know that we have these services available. Color copies of the attached sign will be sent to properties in Friday’s mail. We would like you to order the following frame from Home Depot and post the sign in a visible location in the leasing office.
I have also included Cambridge’s Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Plan which has other helpful translation resources in the back. Please contact your supervisor if you have any questions.
Please find a updated 2016 specification sheet below. This spec sheet includes information on maintenance items for unit turnovers and replacements as well as general property equipment.
If you have any questions about any items listed, please speak with your supervisor.
Often times, our site maintenance is contacted by a resident after hours, requesting emergency service. More and more, we’re getting the question as to whether a particular call is actually considered an emergency, and if it’s appropriate to respond. Below is a document that outlines some basic scenarios, both for what is and what is not an emergency. Obviously, this list does not cover every situation, but it should give you and your maintenance personnel a good idea whether or not they should respond to a call. Please print the attached document, share it with your staff, and use it to help educate your residents before an emergency happens, so they’ll know if they should call the maintenance person carrying the after hours phone or pager.
Below are some examples:
What is an emergency?
Some examples of what is not an emergency:
And remember, when responding to an after hours emergency, always be prepared. Arrive in uniform, and have all necessary tools on hand. Often times, residents are shocked or a little frightened when they experience an emergency, so please be courteous and understanding.
Thank you, and please feel free to contact Scott Busch (sbusch@cambridgeres.com) if you have any questions