Key Benefits of Attending:

 
    * Gain hands-on experience through real-life case studies addressing your toughest HR challenges
    * Discover best practices and indispensable strategies in every HR function
    * Acquire the practical knowledge and tools you need to navigate employment law landmines
    * Earn an HR Generalist Certificate and enhance your professional growth
    * Network with HR professionals from across the country in an exciting location

Day 1

8:00 am: Registration
 

8:30 am: Moderator’s welcome and delegate introductions

Part I: Employment Law Compliance

 

8:45 am

Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation: Protecting Your Workplace with Airtight Policies and Practices

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      Examining federal discrimination laws and key court decisions
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      Preventing discrimination liability: Race, national origin, religion, sex, age and disability
    * Responding to Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) charges
    * Minimizing the risks of workplace harassment: Tips for conducting prompt and thorough workplace investigations
    * How courts are defining “hostile work environment” and what conduct results in liability
    * Recognizing the red flags for retaliation claims before they occur

10:05 am

Recruitment, Screening and Selection: Keeping Your Staffing Practices in Compliance with the Law

 
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      Implementing employee screening devices without falling into a liability trap: Background checks and employment testing
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      Understanding the legal issues related to internet recruiting and other hiring technologies
    * Keeping your employment interview in compliance with the law: Determining which questions you may and may not ask
    * Protecting your organization from liability for negligent hiring

10:45 am

Absence, Leave and Disability: Managing Employee Leave and Disability Challenges

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      Understanding the critical provisions of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to manage your most difficult FMLA dilemmas
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      Interpreting the law and court decisions to determine whether your employee is eligible for FMLA and if the problem constitutes a “serious health condition”
    * Handling perplexing ADA and accommodations issues
    * Determining whether an injury or illness falls under the FMLA, ADA or workers’ comp laws

11:45 am

Wage and Hour Issues: Clearing Up the Confusion Surrounding the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)

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      Ensuring you are in compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
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      Using a checklist to assist you in auditing your wage and hour practices
    * Clarifying employee classifications: Exempt or non-exempt – that is the question!
    * Avoiding costly errors in pay calculations: Overtime, comp time, on-call time, meal time, sleep time, travel time and waiting time

12:30 pm: Break
 

1:30 pm

Discipline, Discharge and Documentation: Avoiding Wrongful Discharge Liability

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      Implementing airtight discipline policies that will protect your organization
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      Getting management buy-in on policies and ensuring consistent documentation
    * Using progressive discipline to take a proactive approach to solving performance problems
    * Following the essential steps of lawful terminations to minimize the risks of a wrongful discharge claim

2:40 pm

Workplace Violence: Maintaining a Safe and Secure Work Environment

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      Detecting the red flags that indicate the potential for anger to result in workplace violence
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      Responding to threats of workplace violence: Implementing a policy that complies with the law and protects your organization
    * New issues your workplace should be considering in light of the recent terrorist attacks and other emerging threats of violence: Security concerns, emergency response, crisis management and more

3:30 pm

Labor and Management Relations: The Impact of Labor Laws on Union and Non-Union Workplaces

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      Understanding the key provisions of the National Labor Relations Act and how they impact union and non-union employers
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      Dispelling the myths about non-union employees’ rights: Engaging in concerted action, striking, etc.
    * What are the non-union employer’s rights when responding to union organizing?
    * What you need to know about the collective bargaining process
    * Rights of union and non-union employees to representation at disciplinary meetings
    * What you should know about mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)

4:00 pm: Day 1 concludes
 

Day 2

8:00 am: Refreshments and networking

Part II: Achieving Excellence in Human Resources

8:30 am

The Expanding Role of HR: Why Organizations are Demanding Increased Accountability from Human Resources

       Defining the changing role of the HR department and the increasing emphasis on accountability
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      Understanding how every HR function impacts profitability: Staffing, retention, compensation, benefits, employee relations, performance management, training and development
    * Using metrics to measure financial and non-financial performance

9:15 am

Staffing Your Organization: Implementing Best Practices for Recruiting and Selecting Employees

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      Examining traditional and high-tech recruitment strategies: Determining which methods work best for particular positions and industries
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      Understanding the advantages of internet recruiting and how online recruiting complements traditional methods
    * Using competency-based interviewing techniques to gain vital information about applicants
    * Making effective use of screening techniques: Employment testing, background checking and more
    * Using metrics to calculate your cost per hire and the financial impact of hiring mistakes

11:00 am

Recordkeeping and Administration: Ensuring that Your Filing System Will Stand up to Scrutiny by Government Agencies

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      What do the Department of Labor and EEOC look for in your record keeping practices
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      Clarification on what should and should not be kept in personnel files: Record retention issues
    * Conducting an audit of your personnel files to ensure that your record keeping practices are in compliance
    * Avoiding common mistakes when processing I-9 forms

12:15 pm: Break

 
1:15 pm

Training and Development: Designing and Delivering Successful Orientation and Training Programs

 
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      Developing and implementing a successful orientation program to keep new employees on board
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      Conducting a needs assessment: Discuss the problems of the organization and determine what training should be implemented
    * Writing behavioral objectives and determining the best method of delivery for your audience
    * Training evaluation: How to determine if your training was a success

2:50 pm

Performance Management: Developing a Program that Builds in Value and Gains Management Buy-in

 
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      Designing a performance management system that supports organizational goals and suits your culture
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      How to build in value in performance management
    * Selling management on the value of executing effective performance appraisals
    * The advantages and disadvantages of using 360% feedback
    * Coaching and mentoring problem employees

4:00 pm: Day 2 concludes
 

DAY 3

8:00 am: Refreshments and networking
 

8:30 am

Compensation: Designing a Compensation Program that Addresses Employee Needs and Organizational Goals

 
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      Using job descriptions, compensation surveys and other resources to ensure/establish internal and external pay equity
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      Understanding the mechanics of salary structures
    * Examining alternative pay programs: Variable pay programs, team pay, gain-sharing and performance-based pay
    * Implementing incentive pay programs to increase productivity

10:05 am

Benefits: Examining Employee Benefit Options and Current Trends
 

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      Complying with mandatory benefits laws – COBRA, ERISA and HIPAA
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      Designing and implementing a Benefits Survey to find out what your employees really want
    * Understanding the standard benefit options: Health benefits, cafeteria plans, retirement plans and more
    * Balancing the need to minimize expenses with the desire to offer attractive benefits packages
    * Writing a benefits statement to promote the value of your perks and benefits
    * Employee wellness programs that promote health and welfare: EAPS, Eldercare, Childcare referrals, mental health referrals, legal referrals
    * Current trends in employee benefits and rewards: Flexible schedule, work/life benefits and other perks

11:15 am

Employee Relations: Conflict Management and Retention Strategies that Increase Productivity and Improve Morale

 
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      Keeping workplace disruptions to a minimum: Resolving personality conflicts, annoyances and hostility between staff members
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      Tips for dealing with a more diverse workforce: Meeting the needs of a multi-cultural and multi-generational workforce
    * Identifying the root causes of turnover, and pin-pointing what motivates employees to stay at an organization

12:30 pm: Break
 

1:30 pm

Strategic HR: Solving Your Most Problematic HR Challenges by Taking a Strategic Approach

 
Whether or not you are part of the management team, as an HR professional, when it comes to making an impact, you face the same challenge – How can you make a more valuable contribution and have your voice heard? With the input of expert trainers and a room full of HR professionals, you will discover how to take a more strategic approach to your most pressing HR challenges. By the end of this session, you will have developed a practical solution and business plan to take back and implement in your workplace.
 
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      Making sure that your voice is heard: Presenting your best business case to the management team
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      Drafting a monthly HR Progress Report to identify key successes and key issues that need to be addressed
    * Applying your knowledge and problem-solving skills to develop a plan of action

4:00 pm: Program concludes