Course Outline

This interactive employment law workshop combines a comprehensive overview of employee discrimination/EEO, the Family Medical Leave Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

How You Will Benefit?

• Avoid costly litigation and arbitration
• Recruit, hire, discipline and terminate employees within a legal framework  
• Deal with complex employment law and employee relations issues confidently
• Learn what constitutes reasonable accommodations” and how to implement without creating unique hardship  
• Protect yourself and your organization from the damaging effects of ill-advised employment decisions

Objectives

• Consult with HR and Legal Professionals Before Making Employment Decisions  
• Proactively Deal with Employment Issues  
• Create a Respectful Workplace Environment That Is Reasonably Free of Unlawful Discrimination, Harassment and Sexual Harassment
• Explain the Employment At-Will Relationship

What Will Be Covered

• Title VII: major provisions…who is covered…the role of the EEOC…the BFOQ concept…types of discrimination…what Title VII does not cover
• Wrongful termination and at-will employment: definitions…the Model Employment Termination Act…contracts…public policy…discharge for cause

Understanding the Basics of Workplace Law

• Explain the General Impact of Employment Laws on the Workplace
•  Identify Key Laws That Impact Employers and Employees  
• List Basic Legal Requirements and Obligations for Supervisors and Managers

Employment At-Will

• Explain the Concept of Employment At-Will  
• Discuss Exceptions to the Employment At-Will Doctrine  
• Make Effective Corrective Action Decisions

Equal Employment, Discrimination and Harassment

• Make Proper Job-Related Hiring and Employment Decisions  
• Create a Workplace Environment That Is Free of Discrimination and Harassments  
• Help Other Workplace Leaders to Prevent Discrimination, Harassment and Sexual Harassment Claims

Sexual Harassment

• Discuss the Two Types of Sexual Harassment That Are Often Found in the Workplace  
• Create a Workplace Where People Are Able to Work Together as Professionals without Unnecessary Sexual or Gender Tension  
• Identify Potential Issues At an Earlier Stage and Take Steps to Stop Actions That Might Lead to Formal Sexual Harassment Complaints

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

• Discuss the Requirements Placed on Management to Give Equal Employment Opportunities to Qualified Individuals with Disabilities
• Plan Pre-Employment Inquiries That Are Permitted By ADA
• Manage ADA Issues as a Workplace Leaders Seek
• Help Qualified Professionals When Dealing with a Disability Accommodation Issue

Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA)

• Explain Employer Responsibilities and Employee Rights Under the family and Medical Leave Act of 1993
• Make Decisions About Employee Leave Requests for Personal and Family Illnesses

• Coordinate Leave Request Between Line Managers and Human Resources

• The best way to coordinate your FMLA policy with other leave policies, such as vacation and sick leave to avoid confusing overlap.

• Choices you can make concerning the FMLA now that will prevent problems in the future.

• What to do about employees who abuse the FMLA.

• Employers beware! Recent court cases tell us to act with caution when it comes to the FMLA.
• The latest developments in FMLA regulations — what they are and how they affect you.
• The most common misunderstandings about the FMLA, and how they can get you into trouble.
• Paperwork and the FMLA — the unusual and specific ways it must be completed.
• The terrible triangle: guidelines for untangling leave and disability issues that involve the FMLA, the ADA, and workers' compensation.
• How to resolve dilemmas regarding pregnancy and maternity/paternity leave.

Managing Within the Law

• Evaluate the Current Practices of Your Employer to Comply with the Law
• Work with HR Professionals and Legal Advisors to Review Actual Employment Situations
• Make Management Decisions That Are Consistent with Basic Legal Concepts

Make Management Decisions That Are Consistent with Basic Legal Concepts

Who Should Attend?

Team Leaders, Supervisors, Managers, Executives, HR managers and professionals as well as corporate attorneys.