Idaho Employment Law Seminar

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Wed., Oct. 23, 2024 | 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Boise Centre East, 195 S. Capitol Blvd., Boise, Idaho

Cost

Early bird registration: $125 (through Oct. 1)

Regular registration: $150 (after Oct. 1)

Breakfast and lunch are included. Seating is limited.

Agenda

7:00-8:00 a.m. – Registration and breakfast

8:00-8:20 a.m. – Welcome remarks, attorney Jason Mau

8:30-9:30 a.m. – Breakout session 1

9:45-10:45 a.m. – Breakout session 2

11:00 a.m.-noon – Breakout session 3

12:15-1:15 p.m. – Keynote panel and lunch

Presenters & Breakout Topics

Breakout Sessions: 8:30-9:30 a.m.

The Current Status of DEI and What it Means for Your Business: Sean Monson and Christina Hardesty from Amalgamated Sugar will discuss how, despite the great DEI debate raging in the country today, employers can implement diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives without engaging in illegal discrimination.

•             Presenters: Sean A. Monson and Christina Hardesty

Remote Work — Managing the Perk That’s Become a Presumption: According to recent surveys, a stunning 95% of workers prefer some form of remote work, but according to corporate decision-makers, 90% of companies will return to the office this year. Paul Smith and Mike Judd will discuss how employers should manage that tension; how companies’ COVID-era work-from-home policies will affect their decisions today; and how will tantalizing remote-work options affect companies as they work to ensure compliance with the ADA and other regulations.

•             Presenters: Paul R. Smith and Michael Judd

“I Have a Note From My Doctor” – Engaging with Employees’ Medical Providers on ADA Accommodation and Fitness for Duty Issues: When seeking a disability accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), or fitness for duty issues, employees often present a note from their medical provider. These notes may contain vague or even onerous work restrictions, and employer may feel at a loss for how to proceed. Through this presentation, Kevin West and Garrett Kitamura will discuss how employers can learn how to effectively interact with medical providers to get the necessary information as part of the ADA’s interactive process, or for fitness for duty matters.

•             Presenters: J. Kevin West and Garrett M. Kitamura

Breakout Sessions: 9:45-10:45 a.m.

Quiz Game: Test Your Knowledge of Recent Legal Developments Bring your smartphone! We’ll use the Kahoot! platform to test your knowledge of the most significant, recent employment law developments. Among other topics, Mark Tolman and Elena Vetter will address new harassment guidance from the EEOC, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, conduct and confidentiality policies arising from recent NLRB decisions, updates to the FLSA salary threshold, among other important employment developments. Winners will leave with cool prizes. Everyone else will leave ready to navigate the ever-developing world of employment law.

•             Presenters: Mark D. Tolman and Elena T. Vetter

What’s Not to Like About Social Media in the Workplace? No matter where we turn, social media seems unavoidable. The workplace is no exception. Social media offers opportunities for employers but also presents pitfalls. In this presentation, Sean Monson and Michael Judd will discuss the use of social media in: (1) screening for job applicants; (2) limiting disruptive online behavior by employees; and (3) staying out of trouble with the FTC for online comments and reviews..

•             Presenters: Sean A. Monson and Michael Judd

FMLA in Real Life: a Caselaw Discussion. Applying the FMLA in real life can be challenging and fraught with legal issues. Christina Jepson will discuss recent FMLA cases and what we can learn from these cases to comply with the FMLA and avoid litigation.

•             Presenter: Christina M. Jepson

Breakout Sessions: 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Drugs and Alcohol in the Workplace: Susan Motschiedler and Kristyn Escalante will discuss employing and managing people with substance use addictions and recreational use habits and their effects on workplace safety, impacts on worker productivity and when to think about implementing different standards for different parts of your workforce.

•             Presenters: Susan Baird Motschiedler and Kristyn Escalante

Documents are an Employer’s Best Friend – How to Properly Document Employee Interactions with HR: Are you confident employee issues and requests are being correctly documented? Properly and thoroughly documenting communications with employees is vital to protecting a company in a myriad of different employment actions. Jason Mau and Kaleigh Boyer will take you through the reasons for and purpose of creating and maintaining documentation of employee interactions. Liz will also work through numerous examples and best practices that you can use in the future.

•             Presenters: Jason R. Mau and Kaleigh C. Boyer

Ask Us Anything (About Employment Law): Bring your hypothetical questions that you were not able to ask. Members of our employment team will be available to address your questions.

•             Presenters – Parsons’ Employment Team

Keynote & Lunch Session: 12:15-1:15 p.m.

Do Employers Need to Think About AI? A panel of local employers will share with seminar attendees their perspectives on the present AI landscape and the need to consider various AI topics that may affect their workplace and their employees.