2017 Hot Topics in Employment Law Seminar

Bricker & Eckler’s annual “Hot Topics” seminar provides Human Resources professionals and in-house attorneys with insight into ongoing and emerging labor and employment issues. This year, we are pleased to partner with Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company and Proctor & Gamble to provide in-house counsel perspective. We hope you will join us for an interactive discussion on current employment laws and regulations, and practical strategies for dealing with today's ever-changing employment environment.

This course has been approved by the Supreme Court of Ohio Commission on Continuing Legal Education for 3 total CLE hour(s) instruction. Additionally, 3 HRCI credits have been approved.

Agenda

Registration & Breakfast
7:45-8:25 a.m.

Welcome & Introductions 
8:25-8:30 a.m.

Katherine Spies Giumenti, Partner

Panel: When the ADA, FMLA and Workers' Compensation Intersect
8:30-9:15 a.m.

James G. Petrie, Partner
Sue A. Roudebush, Of Counsel
Kaila Krausz, Senior Counsel, Nationwide

It is essential for all supervisors, as well as the human resources staff, to understand the interplay of the FMLA, ADA, or workers’ comp laws to assure legal compliance, as well as, to provide employees with the benefits and protections each law provides.  Violations of these laws may result in lost wages, back pay, reinstatement, retroactive benefits, compensatory damages, and punitive damages.

Break 
9:15-9:35 a.m.

A Federal Tax Pitfall: Employee Misclassification 
9:35-9:50 a.m.

Justin D. Cook, Associate 

IRS agents spend a considerable amount of time analyzing the relationship a business has with its employees and independent contractors when conducting an audit.  The opaque rules surrounding worker classification for employment tax purposes can create significant risks for businesses, even those that do not intend to take an aggressive tax position.  This presentation will address the importance of properly classifying employees and independent contractors and provide practical guidance for making this distinction.  It will also explore the ramifications of correcting classification errors.

The Dos and Don'ts of Hiring and Onboarding
9:50-10:35 a.m.

Joëlle C. Khouzam, Partner
Jill K. Bigler, Associate 

Participants will learn how to safely conduct hiring and onboarding and avoid risk. We will address permissible questions to ask on employment applications and during the interview process; background checks, “ban the box” laws, and the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA); reasonable-accommodation considerations and strategies regarding non-solicitation and non-competition obligations from former employers.

Break
10:35-10:45 a.m.

ACA, AHCA and TBD - The Status of Health Care Reform
10:45-11:00 a.m.

Kevin T. Burns, Of Counsel

Presentation will cover an overview of where we are with health care reform and what might be coming down the road, areas of concern and planning for the future.

After Charlottesville: Creating Inclusive Environments and Avoiding Employment Claims 
11:00-11:45 a.m.

Lisa M. Kathumbi, Partner
Autumn Kruse, Associate Director & Associate General Counsel, Procter & Gamble

As more Americans across the political spectrum appear interested in getting involved in advocacy and activism, employers are grappling with how to respond. Can I discipline an employee for off-duty conduct? Can I ban or limit political discussions at work or on social media? Should my organization issue a public statement or internal statement to employees?  A starting point for addressing these questions is understanding the labor and employment laws implicated. However, an organization’s ability to limit legal exposure and manage workplace tensions that may follow events like Charlottesville requires more than redeployment of EEO policies and training. This session will provide an overview of relevant labor and employment laws, but will also provide practical tips and strategies from a global company, Proctor & Gamble, that has proactively invested resources toward cultural competency and inclusion. 

Q&A and Wrap Up
11:45 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Katherine Spies Giumenti, Partner 

Related Materials

Agenda

Materials

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