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2024 Employment Law Conference

November 2, 2023  |   NIU, Naperville

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General Sessions

Breaking Barriers: A Real-Life Perspective on Inclusion and Accessibility

American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology, State Association Relations Manager
C0-Author: A Little Perspective: Real Stories of Little Ladies
Co-Host: A Little Perspective Podcast

Samyuktha Neeraja, an association leader and dedicated disability advocate, lives with achondroplasia, the most common type of dwarfism. She faces daily challenges in a world not built for her – challenges many may not even realize they take for granted. In this session, Samyuktha will help you understand dwarfism and the role intersectionality plays in her life as a South Asian woman with a 
disability. She will share unique personal and professional experiences, providing insights on how organizations can promote inclusion and prioritize accessibility for people with disabilities. You’ll gain practical tips to enhance accessibility measures within your organization and be empowered to ensure inclusion for people with disabilities in various settings.

Employment Law Update 

Kelly Hayden, JD
Chief Legal Counsel, HR Source 

 

 

With so much happening in the area of employment law, staying informed is crucial. Join Kelly Hayden, Chief Legal Counsel at HR Source, for her ever-popular Employment Law Update. Kelly will navigate through the latest changes in employment laws and recent court decisions. Equip yourself with the knowledge and strategies needed to ensure your organization remains compliant and successful amidst the evolving legal landscape.

Breakout Sessions I

Overcoming Talent Scarcity 

Ben Eubanks
Chief Research Officer, Lighthouse Research & Advisory 

In the last few years, we’ve struggled more than ever before to find and keep high-performing employees. What gives? Why is there suddenly a shortage of qualified workers? In this session, Ben Eubanks will bring to life some of the key themes of his new, bestselling book Talent Scarcity, sharing data and insights on the biggest trends that are shrinking the workforce. He’ll reveal practical tactics from companies that are overcoming the odds to attract and keep employees in innovative ways. 

Challenging Affirmative Action

Angela Adams, CEBS, SPHR
Director, EEO & Compliance Solutions, HR Source  

The United States Supreme Court’s recent decision on affirmative action in college-level education will probably open the door for challenges to employer Diversity, Equity & Inclusion programs and government contracting affirmative action. Join Angela Adams as she explains the varying definitions and interpretations of affirmative action, what the Supreme Court case did, and did not say, how would-be challengers to affirmative action are reacting, and what the future may bring. 

Conducting Effective Workplace Investigations 

Sonal Shah, JD
Assistant Director, Employment Law Services

HR is tasked with many responsibilities, maybe none more important than properly conducting workplace investigations. Handling a thorough, fair, and effective investigation can be complex and risky. In this instructive session, Sonal Shah will cover all steps of the investigation process from determining if an investigation is necessary, to conducting a legally compliant investigation, to handling the outcome and results. She’ll clearly outline the critical processes that protect your organization when allegations of misconduct arise.

Breakout Sessions 2

Changes are Coming for Defined Contribution Plans

Amy Sullivan
Retirement Consultant, CAP STRAT 

Please join CAP STRAT for this important update on recent regulatory changes, including the SECURE Act 2.0, and legal proposals that will impact your defined contribution plans. In her role at CAP STRAT, Amy Sullivan analyzes plan participants' investment behavior together with investment industry trends, and develops specific recommendation based on her findings. In this session, Amy will outline steps you may need to take in light of the recent and upcoming changes as well as explaining recent litigation brought against plan sponsors.

Effective Employee Selection Tools   

Candace Fisher, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, Certified Coach
Director, Organizational Development, HR Source

Ben Opp, SPHR
HR Hotline Advisor, HR Source

Are candidates who lack critical skills or characteristics sneaking through your interview process? Pre-employment testing can help plug those holes! Join Candace and Ben as they present and discuss tools to evaluate candidates and identify potential skill gaps, while still respecting key discrimination issues that can arise in the selection process. You’ll leave armed with practical strategies and effective solutions to increase the quality of your new hires.

FMLA Demystified   

Stephanie Dorning, JD
Employment Law Counsel, HR Source 

Since its passage in 1992, The Family Medical Leave Act has provided 12 weeks of unpaid leave to qualified employees of covered employers. Alongside that leave came mountains of paperwork, certification difficulties, and countless other challenges often leaving employers feeling confused, perplexed, and exposed to the risk of compliance violations. Allow HR Source attorney Stephanie Dorning to demystify some of the trickiest aspects of FMLA and help you prepare for the inevitable hiccups that come with administering this challenging law. Stephanie draws from more than 10 years of experience at the Federal Department of Labor to provide examples and guidance in avoiding common violations and streamlining your FMLA process.

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