Employment Law Update Seminar

PROGRAM SUMMARY

Employment law is constantly changing, and it is essential that you maintain a current, in-depth understanding of how these changes affect the workplace. This seminar, sponsored by Sterling Education Services, will be presented by experts in employment and human resources law, will give you a working knowledge of recent developments in the areas most likely to cause problems. Our presenters are also accomplished and insightful speakers who can answer your questions regarding practical application of this information. Regardless of your current level of expertise, you will benefit from this seminar.

SEMINAR HIGHLIGHTS

• Learn the Most Recent Developments in:
• Avoiding Harassment and Discrimination
• Addressing Problems in the Modern Workplace
• Managing Leaves, Absenteeism and Substance Abuse
• Complying with the New FLSA Regulations
• Dealing with All Manner of Privacy Issues
• Terminating Employees, Whatever the Reason

AGENDA 

I. Employment Law Developments

• Equal employment developments with regard to employment practices: hiring and firing
• The increasing importance of written policies, employee handbooks,
  and documentation
• Minimizing employer risk in terminations
• Layoff considerations: Older Workers Benefit Protection Act; job transfers: seniority and pay issues
• The lurking threat of employee retaliation claims and how to avoid them
  • Elements of prima facie case of retaliation
  • Protected activity
  • Proximity in time
  • Tips to avoid retaliation claims

II. Stay out of Jail: Immigration Compliance Issues for Employers

• I-9 compliance issues / SSN mismatch / pilot program verification
• Undocumented or improperly documented employees
• ICE raids

III. Wage & Hour and the FLSA

• Regulatory update
• Pay for time not worked: vacation rules, time off-the-clock, travel time, on-call time
• Payroll issues: overtime, compensatory time off, wage offsets, bonus rules
• Other issues: exempt status, loss of salaried status, flexible workweeks
• Military leave rules

IV. Sexual, Racial, and Other Harassment in the Workplace

• Recent court cases and their implications such as Burlington Northern vs. White
• What constitutes severe and pervasive conduct: Is it harassment or just obnoxious behavior?
• Ethnic, religious, political violence in the workplace
• Definition of a supervisor
• What constitutes acceptable policies and training?
• Vulnerability to charges from harassed and harassers
• Strategies for avoiding litigation

V. Privacy in the Workplace and Conducting an Internal Investigation

• Privacy in the Workplace
  • The Developing Law and Practical Applications
  • Screening Job Applicants (Reference Checks, Credit Checks, Drug Testing, Etc.)
  • Evaluating Performance and Investigating Misconduct (Surveillance of Phone Calls and E-mail, Searches of the Workplace, and Polygraph Tests, Etc.)
  • Privacy Issues in Formal Complaint Procedures and Litigation
• How to Lawfully Conduct an Internal Investigation
  • Employer Obligations Re: Privacy, Confidentiality and Privilege
  • Electronic Surveillance and E-mail Files
  • The Effect of the Fair Credit Reporting Act
  • The Effect of the NLRB Decision in Epilepsy Foundation

VI. Protecting at Will Employment

• Employment at Will, in Theory and Practice
• “Covenant of Good Faith and Fair Dealing” Doctrine
• Eliminate any Implied Contractual Relationships
  • Review All Company Literature
  • Train Recruiters and Trainers on What Not to Say
  • Consider Getting an At-Will Employment Statement
• Get in Compliance With Anti-Discrimination Laws
• Create and Maintain Proper Documents in Employee Files
• Avoid Wrongful Discharge Claims

VII. Developments In FMLA Compliance and The Overlap of ADA, FMLA and WC When Dealing with Absences of Ill, Injured, and Disabled Employees

• Notice and Medical Certification
• A Serious Health Condition-Definition
• Return to Work Issues (Equivalent Position, Discipline, and Termination)
• Pre-emption Issues
• Recent ADA Developments in Reasonable Accommodation

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

• Human Resource Professionals
• Business Owners
• Managers & Supervisors
• CIS Managers
• Payroll Professionals
• Attorneys
  • Employment & Labor
  • Human Resources
  • General Practice
  • New Attorneys

Registration Information 

Time: Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. The seminar begins promptly at 8:30 a.m. and will end at 4:30 p.m.
Lunch is on your own from 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.

Registration Fee:

• $319 for a single registrant
• $309 per person for two or more from the same firm/business
• $289 for early registration (If registered and prepaid on or before July 28, 2008)

To Register:  

• Mail:
  Sterling Education Services
  PO Box 3127
  Eau Claire, WI 54702-3127
• Fax: 715.835.5132
• Phone: 715.855.0495
• Online:  Remember to mention the $10 Online Registration Discount!
• Walk-in Registration: You may register at the door on the day of the seminar for $319. Please call 715.855.0495 before the seminar to check for any schedule changes

Refund Policy: If you pre-register and are unable to attend the seminar, your registration is transferable; just notify us of your substitution before the seminar. Or, if you call us at least three days prior to the seminar, you may request one of the following:

• Full, transferable credit to another seminar
• A refund minus a $25 processing fee
• OR a tape and manual set