8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
Registration | Continental Breakfast | Networking
8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Keynote - Employment Law Update
Anne-Marie V. Welch, Member, Clark Hill
So much has changed over the past year, from anti-DEI Executive Orders and proposed changes to EEO-1 reporting requirements to new independent contractor and joint employment rules. At the same time, states are advancing their own regulations around AI, pay transparency, and LGBTQ discrimination protections. With shifting federal enforcement priorities and an increasingly complex patchwork of state laws, HR professionals are navigating a rapidly evolving compliance landscape. This session will provide an update on key federal and state developments, highlight emerging trends, and help participants understand what changes may be coming next.
9:45 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Plenary 1 - Are My Handbooks Compliant?
Heather G. Ptasznik, Shareholder, Ogletree Deakins
From social media and confidentiality policies to at-will employment disclaimers, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) continues to reshape how employers draft and enforce workplace policies. Frequent shifts in NLRB interpretations, combined with evolving state laws, have left many organizations revisiting handbook language and employment agreements on a regular basis. This session will review common handbook policies, non-compete agreements, and NDAs, with a focus on how they are viewed under current NLRB guidance and applicable state laws. Participants will gain practical insight into policy areas facing increased legal scrutiny and learn strategies for updating policies to better align with today’s regulatory environment.
10:45 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Plenary 2 - Hot Topics in Benefit Administration and Litigation
Eric Gregory, Practice Group Co‑Chair ‑ Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation, Dickinson Wright
Class action lawsuits are arising from retirement plans to health plans and now to voluntary benefits. Mental health care and tobacco surcharge lawsuits are also charging ahead. And then there are the fly-by-night wellness or indemnity tax schemes being proposed to employers. This session will go over the hot topics that HR needs to be aware of when doing benefit planning for employees.
11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. - Lunch
12:00 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.
Plenary 3 - TBD
Terry Bonnette, Partner, Nemeth, Bonnette, Brouwer PC
TBD
1:00 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.
Plenary 4 - Retaliation in the Workplace: What Every Employer Should Know
Olivia V. Veldhuis, Member, Kerr Russell
Retaliation is the most common EEOC charge and not always easy to identify. Even casual remarks or routine management decisions can lead to claims. Even if the underlying claim is determined unfounded, retaliation claims can still survive. This session will explore the various guidance, provide examples of subtle retaliation, and offer practical steps to recognize, prevent, and respond to claims.
2:00 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
Plenary 5 - FMLA, Discipline, and Termination: What You Can and Can't Do During Leave
Rebecca C. Seguin Skrabucha, Member, Bodman PLC
FMLA protections do not prevent employers from addressing legitimate performance, attendance, or conduct concerns. However, many organizations hesitate to take action during or around an employee’s leave out of fear of violating the law. This session will examine practical strategies for managing employee leave while remaining compliant with FMLA requirements. Participants will learn how to identify and address potential leave abuse, document issues appropriately, and navigate performance or disciplinary actions without interfering with protected rights.
2:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Closing Remarks | Networking