Event Details

Please note the venue for this event has changed:

Jackson County Health and  Human Services, Crater Lake Conference Room, 140 S.  Holly St., Medford

Parking available in the garage and parking passes will be emailed to registered participants before the event. 

We are excited to present our Annual May Employment Legal Seminar  featuring Portland based attorneys Jennifer Bouman-Steagall of Red Kite Employment Law and Sean Ray of Barran-Liebman.

This Seminar has been approved for: 6.25 SHRM credits | 6.25 HRCI Credits (1.5 Business Credits and 4.75 General Credits)

Check-in Begins:                  8:00 a.m.
Networking/Vendors:            8:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.        
Program:                              8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Cost:             Beginning May 1st: $25 Student/$109 SHRM member/$129 non-member 

Click here to register:   REGISTER

We will be having silent auction items available to bid on to raise money for the SHRM Foundation.  Be ready to bid on some awesome prizes.

Agenda:            

 8:30 - 10:00: Staying Afloat in a Sea of Change: Changes and Developments in the Legal Landscape That Employers Need to Know, Introduction by SHRM President/ Presented by Sean Ray, Barran-Liebman

Today’s businesses operate in an increasingly regulated field when it comes to labor and employment laws. This presentation will present the latest developments in labor and employment law around the country, from a statutory standpoint as well as developing case law and trends. While the presentation will emphasize first and foremost Oregon and Ninth Circuit cases, by keeping up to date on important decisions from other jurisdictions, savvy employers can stay ahead of the curve. Cases in the presentation will range from the latest discrimination and harassment class action lawsuits to state and federal agency investigations against employers for wage and hour violations. With each case or legal development, Sean will give employers practical tools and advice on how to avoid these same issues and maximize compliance in their workplaces.

 10:00 - 10:30: Break/Vendor Visitations

 10:30 - 12:00:  Addressing the Rise in Employee Mental Health Issues While Staying Compliant with State and Federal Law, Presented by Sean Ray, Barran-Liebman

The Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) requires employers to go through an interactive process to identify reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities. However, job-related issues related to mental health raises some of the trickiest problems with ADA compliance. When is stress considered a disability? At what point does an employee absence for a “mental health day” require you to engage in an interactive process with an employee? Should these absences be classified as protected leave under state and federal medical leave laws? Barran Liebman attorney, Sean Ray, will present on the intersection of mental health, the ADA and leave laws. Employers will walk away with a better understanding of what they must to do comply with their legal obligations as well as tools and tips to avoid common pitfalls and traps for the unwary.

 12:00 to 1:00 LUNCH/Vendor Visitations

 1:00 – 2:15: Interviewing Essentials: Finding Your Next Rock Star!, Presented by Jennifer Bouman-Steagall, Red Kite Employment Law

Most leaders say they didn’t intend to hire the performance disaster or the walking lawsuit, and yet, it seems to happen with startling frequency. So what went wrong? Did the applicant spontaneously combust into a problem employee? Could it be poor planning, a lack of understanding about the job, job requirements, or something else? Yes to all! And what kinds of questions can you ask if the applicant appears disabled or discloses a disability that may impact job performance? Interviewing and selecting the best person for a job is one of the most important functions a leader has, and, unfortunately, the most overlooked. Join us for this engaging program to further refine your search for the next Rock Star!

•              Explore interviewing and hiring secrets designed to find and select the best person for the job.
•              Learn how to stop the dreaded “overshare” and how to answer FAQs from applicants.
•              Discover tips for developing stronger interview questions.
•              Discuss how to address mental and physical disabilities during the interview process, including interview accommodations.

2:15-2:30 BREAK

2:30 - 3:30: Onboarding Secrets: Welcome to the Band!, Presented by Jennifer Bouman-Steagall, Red Kite Employment Law

Now that an offer is on the table, what’s next? If recruiting is about finding your next Rock Star; onboarding and orientation are about seamlessly welcoming and incorporating that person into the Band. It isn’t enough to put someone through mind-boggling training, mounds of new-hire paperwork, and endless introductions to team members. And let’s not forget the sludge of negativity pouring in from poor performers and the disengaged team members who want to stifle the light and enthusiasm of the newbie. Everyone should share in the responsibility to make the transition successful and productive going forward. Special care, education of team members and workplace accommodations may also be necessary to aid in a disabled worker’s transition into the team. Join us to learn the secrets to successful onboarding and orientation.

•              Gain a deeper understanding of when medical information can be requested from disabled applicants and how to facilitate the interactive process.
•              Explore the different roles and responsibilities of leaders, team members and new hires in the onboarding process.
•              Learn tips and strategies for creating and/or updating an effective onboarding process.

 3:30-3:45 BREAK

 3:45 – 4:45:   Managing Workplace Stress: Don’t Worry Be Happy!, Presented by Jennifer Bouman-Steagall, Red Kite Employment Law

Work more -- sleep less; vent more – relax less; snarl more, smile less; worry more – appreciate less. If this sounds like the current daily rhythms, it’s time to pause for a few moments and take a breath or two. Failing to keep workplace stress in check can lead to a deterioration in your health, quality of work and even in your personal relationships. For some, workplace stress may lead to workers’ compensation stress claims, anxiety, depression, low morale, and disengagement, while others self-medicate with drugs and alcohol, or worse. Considering how much time we all spend working, it should be filled with positive experiences and emotions that drive us to achieve our potential. Join us as refresh our perspective on stress in the workplace.

•              Explore whether workplace stress can form the basis of a viable workers’ compensation claim.
•              Discuss the implications of ADA and Family leave on stress-related disorders and conditions.
•              Gain a deeper understanding of how to respond when an employee discloses a drug or alcohol addiction.
•              Learn relaxation tips and strategies for the workplace to combat fatigue and stress.

 4:45 – 5:00: Wrap Up/Evaluations

About our Speakers:

Sean Ray is an attorney at Barran Liebman LLP, representing management in employment matters. He defends employers against discrimination complaints, sexual harassment lawsuits, and retaliation claims, wage and hour claims, and represents employers in state and district court, as well as before Oregon’s Bureau of Labor and Industries and the Washington State Human Rights Commission. In addition to litigation, Sean also works with employers to ensure compliance with changes in the law, including drafting and revising their employee handbooks and providing customized trainings to address harassment and discrimination in the workplace. Sean regularly writes about employment law cases and decisions, and his columns can be found in such publications as the Portland Business Journal, the Daily Journal of Commerce, and Oregon Business Magazine. He often provides on-site employment law training to help businesses prevent workplace grievances.

Red Kite Employment Law founder Jennifer Bouman-Steagall is a dynamic Storyteller, trusted HR Business Partner and experienced Employment Law Attorney with over 20 years’ experience representing and working closely with Pacific Northwest employers. She is also a professional member of the National Speakers Association. Through her informative and memorable programs and trusted legal advice, Jennifer engages, motivates and empowers organizations to improve their team communication, leadership skill development and employee engagement levels as a means to creating great places to work. Sharing her passion and experience with audiences, Jennifer inspires them to learn, reflect and laugh as they look forward to the future.