HR Compliance Bootcamp

Navigating the legal aspects with ease

This program is designed to help participants understand how Federal employment laws work in the real world – and how they apply very directly to the day-to-day duties, decisions and interactions of managers and supervisors. Virtually all risk related to employment law violation lies with uneducated or undereducated management. A primary focus is to enlighten participants on how employment laws are inadvertently broken every day – by leaders who think they’re making sound business decisions and who would never intentionally discriminate.

By the end of this knowledge-building session, you will be able to:

•  Identify the basics elements of primary federal employment laws
• Summarize the impact of federal case law and company practices
• Recognize situations that pose a legal risk to the organization
• Articulate how to minimize risk by responding promptly and appropriately to workplace incidents

Discover strategies for ensuring your interviews are compliant and successful

Many federal and state laws guide what interviewers can and cannot ask of applicants to prevent discrimination during the hiring process. Fair, equitable and legal hiring practices actually start with the employment application and continue through reference checks, drug testing and offers of compensation.

This skill-building session gives you the chance to:

• Identify what information may or may not be collected on an employment application
• Understand the various topics to stay away from in an employment interview and how to carefully ask questions
• Develop a consistent and compliant employment offer process including final evaluation of the candidate
• Practice cross-training co-workers who may participate in the hiring process

Unraveling work eligibility and record-keeping requirements

The federal Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 requires every employer to maintain a Form I-9 for each employee. Individuals must show they are eligible to work in the United States before commencing employment. Ignoring this requirement, incorrectly asking for documentation or not completing a Form I9 for each employee can come with heavy penalties. If you are responsible for gathering and completing the Form I9, this session will provide you with step-by-step tips to ensure proper documentation to maintain for current and former employees.

In this skill building session you’ll get the chance to:

• Recognize the current I9 form
• Understand retention responsibilities while maintaining proper documentation (both insufficient or invalid)
• Summarize the difference between I-9 and E-Verify
• Learn the necessary steps to conduct an I-9 audit

Tread carefully yet swiftly and fairly when handling employee complaints

Conducting workplace investigations is one of the biggest challenges HR professionals must face. With shifting workforce demographics and greater awareness of rights, compounded by new laws coming into play, managers unknowingly make mistakes and often lack confidence in accurately managing the process. Often this is due to a lack of adequate training or pressure to resolve complaints quickly. This interactive session will guide you through such topics as what to do and not do with employee complaints and what triggers an investigation. Then, if you determine an investigation is necessary, we offer a proven six-step process, questioning best practices for the complainant and accused, along with ten common investigation mistakes.

By the end of this knowledge-building session, you will

• Know what to do and not do with employee complaints
• Understand what triggers an investigation and who to involve
• Conduct an investigation
• Analyze findings from an investigation and make a final decision

Ensure a safe and productive environment for your employees

There are over two million work-related injuries reported each year. Would you know how to respond if one of your employees became injured on the job? The world of OSHA and workers compensation can be complex as you navigate reporting requirements including first report of injury and OSHA 300 logs. Additionally, what information do you need to share, or not share, with supervisors, co-workers, family members of attorneys? This class will take you step by step through the process of what to do from a legal perspective when an employee receives a minor cut or abrasion or potentially receives a life-altering injury.

This knowledge building class gives you the chance to:

• State who OSHA is, what they do, why they do it, and how it affects the workplace
• Differentiate the general record-keeping requirements and penalties for violations of OSHA standards
• Summarize the company’s legal responsibilities when receiving a workplace incident report
• Create a safe work environment utilizing best practices

A guide to implementing and enforcing a substance abuse policy

Marijuana is legal in Massachusetts. Does this mean that you must allow employees to smoke or use THC products while on break or after work in the parking lot? Can you search an employee’s desk, locker or lunch bag for drugs or alcohol? Even if you aren’t thinking about disciplining employees, it can be confusing to understand how to approach suspected abuse as it may be a covered disability. If you are concerned about employee behaviors related to drugs or alcohol, this is your chance to ask questions and understand your personal and company responsibilities.

This knowledge-building session gives you the chance to:

• Identify the laws and documentation requirements
• Understand how to respond if someone comes to work under the influence
• Develop unique policies and procedures for responding to reasonable suspicion
• Communicate policies to employees as well as the responsibilities of leadership

Unlock the Secrets to Properly Classify Your Employees and Ensure FLSA Compliance for a Thriving Business

Join this session to gain essential insights into classifying your workforce accurately, ensuring compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). This session is ideal for HR professionals, business owners, and anyone responsible for employee management. By attending, you’ll learn how to navigate complex classification rules, avoid costly legal issues, and create a fair and productive work environment. Don’t miss this opportunity to protect your business and your employees while optimizing your operations. Take the first step towards FLSA compliance and success today!

By the end of this session, you’ll be able to:

• Explain the key provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), including minimum wage and overtime rules
• Categorize different employee roles as exempt or non-exempt based on FLSA criteria
• Apply FLSA classification principles to your own organizations scenarios
• Evaluate current classification practices and propose corrective actions for compliance and efficiency

Protecting people with disabilities from discrimination at work

Disability rights are civil rights. From service animals, to building ramps and parking, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a law that protects people with disabilities in many areas of public life, including at work. ADA is a law, not an employee benefit program and applies to employers with 15 or more employees. ADA is divided into five different sections called Titles with specific requirements for various organizations. This informative session will specifically focus on Title I ADA requirements for employers covering compliance and best practices.

By the end of this knowledge building session you’ll be able to

• Define what qualifies as a disability
• Understand all the ways the ADA impacts decisions in the workplace
• Apply accommodations or respond to requests to ensure equal opportunities for people with disabilities

Managing Employee Challenges with Effective Strategies and Documentation

Build confidence to handle performance issues and before they get out of hand. Documenting employee issues is key to avoiding company risk or liability. Properly documented workplace incidents and investigations will help support a company with consistency, legal complaints, unemployment claims, etc. A primary focus will be to Identify strategies to document performance issues as they occur and to help protect the company from legal risks.

This knowledge-building session you will:

• Describe issues that may require investigation or corrective action
• Articulate the skills needed to plan, conduct, and conclude investigations
• Identify steps to conduct a thorough corrective action discussion
• Evaluate the impact of ineffective investigations and how to avoid them

Navigating Employment Regulations in the Bay State

State Employer Laws: Massachusetts Edition provides a comprehensive overview of the key employment laws and regulations specific to Massachusetts. This session covers essential topics such as wage and hour laws, employee rights, workplace safety, and compliance requirements. Designed for HR professionals and managers, it equips you with the knowledge needed to navigate the legal landscape, ensure organizational compliance, and handle employment issues effectively within the state.

This knowledge-building session you will:

• Gain a thorough understanding of key state-specific employment regulations, including wage and hour laws, employee benefits, and workplace safety requirements
• Learn how to apply Massachusetts employment laws to ensure organizational practices are compliant
• Explore employee rights under Massachusetts law, including leave entitlements, anti-discrimination protections, and other workplace protections
• Develop strategies for managing common employment issues in accordance with state regulations, including documentation and resolution processes