8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. - Breakfast & Registration
8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Employment Law Update
Anne-Marie V. Welch, Member, Clark Hill
The final days of the U.S. Supreme Court issued decisions on affirmative action, religious accommodations, and public accommodations with respect to first amendment rights. In addition, we have the proposed wage and hour regulations on independent contractor, National Labor Relations Board regulations on joint employment, Federal Trade Commission (FTC) banning non competes, and the 16 employment bills being pushed through the Michigan Legislature from the Crown Act to House Bill 4474 making the use of wrong pronouns a crime. It has been a very busy and complicated year for HR professionals. And in addition, the Michigan Supreme Court may reinstate the original Michigan Sick Leave Act. It could be a headache filled end of year for all businesses. In this session, participants will learn about the new legislative activities and court cases in the past 12 months; gain insight as to strategies for compliance; and learn what is expected in election year 2024.
About Anne-Marie V. Welch
Anne-Marie V. Welch serves as Labor & Employment leader of Clark Hill’s Automotive and Manufacturing Industry Team. As an employment and labor law specialist, Anne-Marie defends employers in state and federal lawsuits and administrative proceedings against wrongful discharge, discrimination, harassment, retaliation and related statutory and tort claims. She also prosecutes and defends claims pertaining to confidentiality, non-competition and non-solicitation agreements.
9:45 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.
Ask The Lawyer Panel
Panelists
Terry Bonnette – Partner, Nemeth Bonnette Brouwer PC
Michael J. Burns – Executive Vice President, ASE
S. Rae Gross – Shareholder, Ogletree Deakins
Anne-Marie V. Welch – Member, Clark Hill
Moderator
Michael R. Blum – Shareholder, Foster Swift Collins & Smith PC | Attorneys
10:55 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Hot Topic Briefing: Remote Work & Substance Abuse
Terry Bonnette, Partner, Nemeth Bonnette Brouwer PC
Since the pandemic, remote work is becoming a desired benefit and in some cases the norm for employers. Among issues for employers is how to handle situations when the remote employee has substance abuse issues. If these employees are in customer facing roles, it can be very problematic. Participants will learn first how to identify when remote employees are dealing with substance abuse, second what to do if the situation arises, and third, best practices when these situations arise.
About Terry Bonnette
Terry Bonnette is a partner with Nemeth Bonnette Brouwer (formerly Nemeth Law), a Detroit-based, management-side labor and employment law firm. He focuses his practice on labor and employment counseling and litigation, covering a wide range of contract compliance and regulatory compliance issues, including, FMLA, Wage and Hour, and the ADA. He represents clients in litigation before state and federal courts, administrative agencies, and arbitrators.
Hot Topic Briefing: The Rise and Pitfalls of using Artificial Intelligence in the Workplace
S. Rae Gross, Shareholder, Ogletree Deakins
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being incorporated in many aspects of everyday life at work from recruitment to succession planning to technical writing and more. AI use can trigger a number of liability risks, including potential discrimination and privacy issues. Participants will get an overview of legal issues surrounding AI, discuss the EEOC’s focus on employer use of AI, and review some best practices when implementing AI tools.
About S. Rae Gross
Rae Gross has spent over 25 years as litigator and counselor on a wide range of employment matters. With a combination of private practice and in-house experience, Rae has a keen understanding of the challenges employers face and the importance of providing practical legal advice and business-oriented solutions.