During the COVID-19 pandemic, Virginia employers have not only been forced to deal with complex emergency federal legislation, but a number of state laws were also enacted that will dramatically impact workplace risks and obligations going forward. This special virtual edition of the 36th Annual Employment Law Update is intended to help employers understand all the legal and practical changes they face and to provide guidance on how to manage those changes. Legal, practical and government agency perspectives will all be presented with an emphasis on practical guidance and addressing attendee questions. Attendees can also earn up to 6 credit hours toward PHR and SPHR recertification through the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI) and 5 PPCs toward SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP.
Opening Session - "Where Are We Going?"
9:00 - 9:20
Virtual attendees will receive an overview of what to expect during the day and a summary of their workshop choices. There will also be a "quick" recap of some of the most crucial legal changes that Virginia employers now face which will be discussed in further detail throughout the day.
MORNING SESSIONS
9:30 - 10:30 | 10:40 - 11:40
Pandemic Legislation - “Unscrambling the FFCRA, the CARES Act, and More”
To say the least, employers were challenged by all the new federal pandemic laws, some of which will remain in effect until the end of the year and beyond. This workshop will provide current guidance to help employers meet their ongoing legal obligations under these legal changes. Additionally, the District Director of the Richmond City Health Department will join the panel to provide practical COVID-19 avoidance tips.
Managing Change - “HR’s New Role”
Dynamic diversity trainer, Mauricio Velásquez, will join this workshop to help attendees deal with legal and practical changes to the work environment. Ongoing changes to the work environment brought about by the new laws, the pandemic and the BLM Movement will be highlighted.
Virginia Employment Law 101 - “It’s a New Day”
While many federal legal changes were receiving all the publicity, Virginia enacted a number of new state laws that dramatically changed employer risks and obligations. Those changes will be emphasized in an effort to help employers meet their new legal obligations and reduce related risks.
11:45 - 12:45 Lunch Break
Post Lunch Speaker
12:45 - 1:30 Emotional Intelligence - “A New Frontier”
Following lunch, attendees will hear Mauricio Velásquez, President and CEO of The Diversity Training Group, present on Emotional Intelligence (EI). Mauricio will not only explain what EI is, but he will also provide guidance on how employers can use EI to reduce workplace risk.
AFTERNOON SESSIONS
1:40 - 2:40 | 2:50 - 3:50
Virginia Values Act - “Virginia’s New Employment Litigation Horizon”
During the pandemic, Virginia quietly became one of the riskiest states in the nation with regard to employment litigation. Jamie Shoemaker, a lawyer who specializes in suing employers, will join this session to provide attendees with his “Top-Gun” perspective. Risk avoidance tips will be provided to help employers cope with new employment litigation risk.
Current Unemployment Compensation Issues - “A Time to Transition”
The federal pandemic enhancement to unemployment compensation provided employers with challenges such as getting employees who were receiving these benefits to come back to work. Additionally, cybersecurity scams created headaches for employers and employees. Virginia’s Unemployment Insurance Director will help employers deal with these changes going forward.
Discipline and Discharge - “New Risks Abound”
All the new laws have only increased risks associated with discipline and discharge decisions. This session will address all aspects of discipline and the termination process. The new EEOC Charlotte District Director will join this session to help employers take steps to avoid these risks.
4:00 - 4:30 Closing Session - “The New Normal”
A panel of presenters will be on hand to answer attendee questions and tie up any loose ends of the day’s program. One of the panelists, EEOC Charlotte District Director, Tom Colclough, will then comment on what to expect from his agency over the next year and the impact recent events have had on his agency's enforcement efforts.
SPECIAL GUESTS
Danny Avula, MD, MPH
Director, Richmond City Health District
Thomas M. Colclough
Charlotte District Director, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
James H. Shoemaker, Jr.
Attorney, Patton, Wornom, Hatten & Diamonstein
Mauricio Velásquez
President and CEO, The Diversity Training Group
William O. Walton
Unemployment Insurance Director, Virginia Employment Commission
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
LOCATION: The program will be held virtually on October 28, 2020. You will receive an email with details on how to access the seminar once you register.
FEE: Our $375 registration fee includes seminar materials and a certificate of completion. Sessions will be recorded and available for all registered attendees to view after the seminar date.
DEADLINE: The deadline to register is one week prior to the seminar date.
