Join us for a virtual half-day seminar on Thursday, May 5, as we bring together human resources professionals, business executives, and legal counsel for education and important employment-related legal updates.
This half-day seminar will begin with a keynote presentation titled, “Employment Litigation in The COVID Era: Lessons Learned, Emerging Trends & Practical Tips for Avoiding & Defending Claims”. The keynote presentation will be followed by breakout sessions providing practical advice and updates on union activity, addressing mental health in the workplace, diversity and inclusion, and new laws impacting employee arbitration agreements. Seminar attendees may earn up to three credits of CLE, HRCI, and SHRM continuing education.
Keynote Presentation
Employment Litigation in The COVID Era: Lessons Learned, Emerging Trends & Practical Tips for Avoiding & Defending Claims
Ashley L. Felton & Daniel A. Kaufman
COVID has spawned a variety of employment claims that pose new challenges to employers. Remote work and leave conflicts alone have generated numerous claims that present novel, legal and practical issues, and create significant risk for employers. This session will discuss: 1) the kinds of employment claims that have arisen from COVID; 2) the results and trends in such cases; 3) and practical tips for avoiding and defending such claims.
Session I
When Diversity & Inclusion Meet Title VII: How Not to do the Right Thing the Wrong Way
Farrah N.W. Rifelj & Maryelena Zaccardelli
In this workshop, attorneys Farrah Rifelj and Maryelena Zaccardelli will discuss how to Legally Incorporate DE&I Initiatives into Your Workplace. They will review the relevant laws and how to avoid the extremes around DE&I – being too concerned about legal liability to implement programming or moving full steam ahead by incorporating preferences or mandates without evaluating legal considerations. They also will provide practical tips about successful programs and resources for those starting or enhancing their initiatives.
Binding Arbitration Agreements in the Face of State & Federal Law Changes
Amy O. Bruchs & Holly E. Courtney
The presentation will discuss the recent flurry of legislative activity, including the recent enactment of the federal “Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act of 2021,” and recent court decisions, and their impact upon arbitration agreements and arbitration practice. Attorneys Amy Bruchs and Holly Courtney will cover the benefits and drawbacks of arbitrations, the enforceability of arbitration agreements, class action opt out clauses, and other practical considerations when entering into employment arbitration agreements with their existing workforce and new employees.
Session II
Balancing FMLA, Reasonable Accommodations & Mental Health in the Workplace
Kirk A. Pelikan
Leave requests (and claims) based upon mental health conditions are on the rise, and employers responding to such requests need to be carefully positioned to ensure compliance with applicable laws. Led by attorney Kirk Pelikan, this session will examine several case studies of claims handled both well and poorly to ensure that you are adequately prepared the next time one of these requests threatens to raise your own stress level.
What to Expect at the NLRB: Recent Developments & Significant Cases
Bridget M. Smith & Kevin Terry
Recent appointments to the National Labor Relations Board’s General Counsel and 5-member Board (including a Chairman and two members) are likely to spur significant change in labor law. Join attorneys Bridget Smith and Kevin Terry as they (1) review important unfair labor practice cases decided by the Board in 2021; (2) present the General Counsel’s initiatives regarding workplace rules, bargaining and protected concerted activity; and (3) forecast changes for union and non-union employers.
Professional Development Credit
The program is pending for Professional Development Credits for the SHRM-CPsm or SHRM-SCPsm, and PHR/SPHR.
CLE credit in WI, CO, IL, NC, TX, UT, and VA is pending. We are happy to provide the program materials to participants applying for credit in other states.
If you are in need of an Illinois attorney Financial Hardship application, please contact Professional Development team.
For questions or more information on the event, please contact our Events team.