Employment Discrimination And Employee Relations Laws

In Person at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, 924 West Huntington Drive, Monrovia
Or Live Broadcast
9:00am-4:30pm PST
12:00pm-7:30pm EST

COURSE FACULTY
Richard J. Simmons
& Hilary A. Habib, Attorneys & Partners
Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP, Los Angeles, California

Richard Simmons is the author of the text used in the program. He represents employers in various labor relations matters involving state and federal wage and hour laws, proposed class actions, wrongful discharge, employment discrimination, employee discipline and termination, employee benefits, and contract arbitrations. He has successfully argued before the California Supreme Court and appellate and trial courts in California and other parts of the country.

Richard was recently recognized as the “Labor and Employment Attorney of the Year” by the Los Angeles Business Journal and was inducted into the Employment Lawyers Hall of Fame.

Hilary Habib handles all facets of the litigation process in labor and employment disputes. Ms. Habib has experience in defending complex wage and hour class actions, including rounding claims, claims for overtime pay, and meal and rest period violations. She also represents employers before state and federal administrative agencies, such as the California Civil Rights Department (formerly the Department of Fair Employment and Housing), the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement.

Hilary is also a contributing author to the California Labor and Employment ALERT Newsletter. Ms. Habib received her J.D. from the University of Southern California and her B.A. from the University of California, Los Angeles.

This seminar is designed to guide participants through the ever-changing maze of state and federal employment discrimination laws. The program is attended by HR professionals, personnel specialists, attorneys, owners, supervisors and other management officials. Registrants will receive a copy of Richard J. Simmons’ NEW 2024 EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION AND EEO PRACTICE MANUAL FOR CALIFORNIA EMPLOYERS (over 910 pages)* . This is the first work of its kind — a one-stop desk reference to state and federal EEO, employment discrimination, anti-harassment, and record retention laws affecting California employers.

The program will also examine other personnel laws and issues of significance to California employers. The rapidly developing laws addressing disability discrimination, reasonable accommodation, harassment, retaliation, pregnancy discrimination, “wrongful discharge” and “unfair termination” of employees will be examined. Simmons’ book provides a detailed review of the means by which employers can AVOID LIABILITIES in this area. Employers have been found liable for millions of dollars in damages for wrongfully terminating employees.

The course will also present a review of questions that can be asked in interviews and applications, and how to treat employees on pregnancy and workers’ compensation leaves of absence.

Among the many subjects that will be discussed in the program are the following:

• US Supreme Court decisions defining the scope of Federal Anti-Discrimination Laws
• New Reproductive Loss Leave
• Pre-employment inquiries in interviews and applications on Cannabis Use
• Expanded whistleblower retaliation rights
• Rules on punitive, exemplary, and emotional distress damages
• New Bereavement Leave
• Sexual harassment — recent changes to the law and training rules
• Salary history rules
• Pregnancy leave regulations, transfer rules, and notification obligations
• California CRD developments and FEHA regulations
• Disability discrimination — New state rules, decisions defining covered "disabilities" and employer obligations
• Wrongful termination — employer pitfalls, safeguards, and defensive practices
• Complaint procedures — liabilities and remedies
• Age discrimination — new issues — jury trials — liabilities
• Americans With Disabilities Act and EEOC Guidance
• Older Workers Benefit Protection Act and regulations
• Impact of California’s Marijuana Legalization Reforms
• State law protections for employees with alcohol and drug addictions
• Reasonable accommodations and the interactive process
• Sexual preference, orientation, and gender identity protections
• Equal Pay Laws
• English-only rules and updated regulations
• Dress and grooming standards
• Mental disability rules — scope of protection for mental disorders, alcoholism, and drug addiction
• Workers’ compensation leaves of absence — job retention rights — continuation of benefits and insurance — duration of leaves
• Immigration concerns of employers
• Emotional distress claims
• Hiring practices
• Defending cases before the EEOC and CRD
• Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA)
• Defenses and strategies
• Common pitfalls and areas of exposure
• Inspection of personnel files
• Disciplinary action and interviews
• Defamation issues and recent amendments
• Blacklisting and misrepresentation laws
• Communication skills rules
• Telecommuting and work-from-home accommodations
• Damages & Remedies
• Statutory Amendments
• Other significant issues
• Questions and answers

* If attending virtually, the print copy of the Employment Discrimination and EEO Practice Manual will be shipped prior to the program date. If attending in person, the Manual will be issued at the program. The electronic copy is also available for an additional fee. See registration page for more details.

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