Gain a firm understanding of what qualifies as a legally protected category to minimize risk and exposure.
Having well-trained management employees, human resources professionals, and first-line supervisors is key to preventing and addressing issues of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in the workplace. It is essential for these groups of employees to understand the law surrounding workplace issues and know how to respond when these issues arise. After this program, you will feel empowered to handle even the toughest workplace situations that could otherwise lead to costly litigation.
Learning Objectives
- You will be able to identify federal equal employment opportunity laws and requirements and get a glimpse into the differences under state laws.
- You will be able to review a business leader’s role and significance in preventing and addressing issues of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in the workplace.
- You will be able to confidently explain unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation to others.
- You will be able to discuss responding to these issues in the workplace and understand how to minimize legal risk.
Agenda
Your Role as a Management Employee, Human Resources Professional, or First-Line Supervisor
Overview of Equal Employment Opportunity Laws
- Protected Categories Under Federal Law
- Notable Issues and Recent Decisions (e.g., Reverse Discrimination, Pregnancy Discrimination, Religious Discrimination, and More)
- How State Laws May Differ
Understanding and Preventing Unlawful Discrimination
- Discrimination Defined
- How to Address Discrimination in the Workplace
Understanding and Preventing Unlawful Harassment
- Harassment Defined
- How to Address Harassment in the Workplace
Understanding and Preventing Unlawful Retaliation
- Retaliation Defined
- How to Address Retaliation in the Workplace
Best Practices for Preventing and Addressing Workplace Issues
- Workplace Trainings
- How to Respond to Complaints and When to Conduct Workplace Investigations
- Minimizing Legal Risk
- Other Issues to Be Aware of (e.g., Artificial Intelligence and DEI Programs)
Speakers
Hannah Fitzgerald,
Holland & Knight LLP- Associate at Holland & Knight LLP
- Defends employers in state and federal court, arbitration, and before state and federal agencies for various claims, including discrimination, harassment, and retaliation
- Provides advice and counsel on various employment issues, including drafting and revising Equal Employment Opportunity Policies and advising on internal complaints
- Provides various workplace trainings, including trainings for managers on Equal Employment Opportunity laws and sexual harassment laws, among others
- Conducts workplace investigations into employee complaints on various issues, including discrimination, harassment, and retaliation complaints
Stephen E. Baumann, II,
Littler Mendelson P.C.- Equity Partner at Holland & Knight LLP
- Provides nationwide, risk-adjusted advice to employers of all sizes, from small startups to Fortune 500 companies
- Has a robust litigation practice in federal and state courts nationwide, including complex litigation involving discrimination, harassment, and retaliation
- Successfully defended charges of discrimination in state and federal agencies
- Obtained a federal jury verdict following a five-day trial on an Age Discrimination in Employment Act case for a large publicly traded employer
- Obtained summary judgment in a Title VII race discrimination arbitration for an aerospace and defense contractor
- Obtained a dismissal of claims for familial-status discrimination under the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act (CADA) against a small business, affirmed by the Colorado Court of Appeals, when, on an issue of apparent first impression, the court concluded that CADA does not protect familial status
- Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America guide, Employment Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment; The Best Lawyers in America guide, Ones to Watch, Employment Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment; and Stand-out Lawyer, Thomas Reuters; among other recognitions
Who Should Attend
This live webinar is designed for human resource managers, payroll professionals, benefits managers, controllers, CFOs, accountants, personnel managers, compensation managers, business owners, office managers, and attorneys.
