Parsons Behle & Latimer will host its 13th annual Idaho Employment Law Seminar on Oct. 14, 2025, geared toward business owners, human resource professionals and corporate counsel.
Event Details and Agenda
Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025 | 8 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.
Boise Centre East, 195 S. Capitol Blvd., Boise, Idaho
Cost
Early bird registration: $125 (through Sept. 23)
Regular registration: $150 (on or after Sept. 24)
Breakfast and lunch are included. Seating is limited.
HRCI and Idaho CLE credit pending.
Agenda
7:00-8:00 a.m. – Registration and breakfast
8:00-8:20 a.m. – Welcome remarks, Jason R. 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
Religion in the Workplace: Back in the Spotlight
In June 2023, the Supreme Court issued the Groff v. Dejoy decision, making it more difficult for employers to deny requests for religious accommodations. When Trump took office in 2025, his newly appointed EEOC chair declared that her priorities would include “protecting workers from religious bias and harassment.” Because of these two developments, we expect to see more religion-based employment claims, and employers need to be up-to-speed on the law regarding religion in the workplace.
Presenters:
Winning the Case Before it Starts: Investigations, Documents and Lawyers
Liz and Sean will discuss the tips to effectively investigate employee complaints of unlawful conduct, steps to take when a claim is made and when to involve a third-party investigator.
Presenters:
The Uses, Risks, and Benefits of AI for HR Managers
A recent SHRM survey showed that 26% of organizations use generative artificial intelligence (AI) to support HR-related activities. Of those organizations, nearly 90% only began using AI within the last two years. Jason and Garrett will discuss best practices, legal risks and provide cautionary tales to help HR professionals navigate this rapidly evolving AI landscape.
Presenters:
Breakout Sessions: 9:45-10:45
Policy Evolution: Changing Your Company’s Policies to Keep Up With Changing Times
Mike and Paul will discuss best practices for analyzing and modifying your company’s policies, practices and procedures to ensure they comply with revised regulations, recently released court opinions and trends in the market.
Presenters:
One Unlikely Rise, One Potential Demise: The Realities of Reverse Discrimination Claims and DE&I Initiatives in 2025
Upon her appointment as Acting EEOC Chair, Andrea Lucas released a statement promising to, among other things, “root[] out unlawful DEI-motivated race and sex discrimination” in American workplaces. What does that mean for your company, your diversity initiatives and the potential employment-law claims coming your way? Mark and Elena will discuss the changing legal landscape surrounding DE&I policies and review multiple recent court cases where plaintiffs’ claims hinged on instances of alleged reverse discrimination. Come prepared to learn about these newly emerging (and quickly evolving) legal issues—and leave with a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities you may face navigating these questions in years to come.
Presenters:
Wage and Hour: Hot Topics and Real-Life Examples of Employers Running Afoul of the Fair Labor Standards Act
Christina and Susan will review the tricker (and most often flubbed up!) wage and hour provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act as well as walk through relevant case law and examples of employers getting it wrong so that you can get it right in your workplace.
Presenters:
Breakout Sessions: 11:00-12:00
The Next Right Thing: Choosing Your Path Through the ADA Mine Field
What is a disability? What is an essential function? How do I know if an accommodation is reasonable? Susan and Liz will guide you through the practical realities behind the ADA’s “buzzwords” and give you tips for navigating the interactive process. This session will include practical information on job descriptions and more.
Presenters:
I Have Seen This Movie Before . . . But I Am Not Sure How it Ends This Time
The second Trump administration has brought swift and significant changes to the employment law landscape, including increased pressure on undocumented workers (and the employers who employ them) and dramatic changes in enforcement priorities, including protections of religion, prosecuting reverse discrimination and pursuing national origin claims based on an individual’s status as an American. Mike and Sean will discuss what we have seen so far and what we may see going forward.
Presenters:
Ask Us Anything (About Employment Law) – Panel Discussion
Have a hypothetical question about employment that our panel can provide hypothetical answers to? Come join us and see if you stump our lawyers regarding your most difficult pressing issues.
Lunch & Keynote: 12:15-1:15
HR: Culture Coach or Compliance Cop?
In this lively, interactive session, two former state bar Employment Lawyers of the Year will address HR's compliance/claim prevention role. One still practices law while the other hasn’t practiced law in 15 years — So you can expect some differences of opinion :-)
Topics will include risk management, documentation, internal investigations, discipline and discharge. Bring your popcorn and favorite beverage and tune in for what will surely be an entertaining and enlightening conversation!
Presenters:
Capabilities
