webinar

Strategies for Responding to Whistleblower / Retaliation Complaints [Webinar Recording]

Theresa Green Leave a comment

On Tuesday, March 21, 2023, Jordan B. Schwartz, Lindsay A. DiSalvo, and Victoria L. Voight presented a webinar regarding Strategies for Responding to Whistleblower/Retaliation Complaints.

Over the past several years, employers have seen a significant uptick in retaliation claims filed by employees and investigated by federal agencies. For example, in 2010, only approx. 30% of all charges filed with the EEOC included a retaliation claim, but that number shot up to almost 60% in FY 2021. Similarly, the vast majority of whistleblower complaints filed with OSHA in FY 2022 – about 76% – were filed under Sec. 11(c) of the OSH Act (retaliation based on protected safety acts).

When a general retaliation or whistleblower complaint is received, employers have a chance to explain why the complaint should be dismissed. The response is an opportunity for the employer to provide information so the agency investigating the complaint can close its file; whether that means OSHA decides an onsite inspection is unnecessary or the EEOC dismisses the discrimination charge. The responses can, however, create a written record of admissions that OSHA or the EEOC could use against the employer. Employers should thus be strategic about the information shared at that early stage and should ensure there is a procedure in place for managing and developing these responses.

Participants in this webinar learned: Continue reading →

[Webinar] Strategies for Responding to Whistleblower / Retaliation Complaints

Theresa Green Leave a comment

On Tuesday, March 21, 2023 at 1 p.m. EST, join Jordan B. Schwartz, Lindsay A. DiSalvo, and Victoria L. Voight for a webinar regarding Strategies for Responding to Whistleblower/Retaliation Complaints.

Over the past several years, employers have seen a significant uptick in retaliation claims filed by employees and investigated by federal agencies. For example, in 2010, only approx. 30% of all charges filed with the EEOC included a retaliation claim, but that number shot up to almost 60% in FY 2021. Similarly, the vast majority of whistleblower complaints filed with OSHA in FY 2022 – about 76% – were filed under Sec. 11(c) of the OSH Act (retaliation based on protected safety acts).

When a general retaliation or whistleblower complaint is received, employers have a chance to explain why the complaint should be dismissed. The response is an opportunity for the employer to provide information so the agency investigating the complaint can close its file; whether that means OSHA decides an onsite inspection is unnecessary or the EEOC dismisses the discrimination charge. The responses can, however, create a written record of admissions that OSHA or the EEOC could use against the employer. Employers should thus be strategic about the information shared at that early stage and should ensure there is a procedure in place for managing and developing these responses.

Participants in this webinar will learn: Continue reading →

[Webinar] How to Best Ensure ADA Compliance for Your Property’s Website

Theresa Green Leave a comment

On Wednesday, September 21, 2022 at 1 p.m. EST, join Jordan B. Schwartz and Megan S. Shaked for a webinar regarding How to Best Ensure ADA Compliance for Your Property’s Website.

Another year has gone by, and yet the lawsuits filed against hotels and other places of public accommodation alleging violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) continues to increase. We still see hundreds of lawsuits filed each month against hotels for their failure to identify and describe accessible features at their properties in sufficient detail on their websites. Many of these lawsuits continue to allege that Online Travel Agencies (“OTAs”) such Expedia, Hotels.com, or Orbitz fail to provide information about the accessible amenities of the hotel, including its rooms, to individuals with disabilities, or fail to allow an individual with a disability to book an accessible guestroom. While it may seem counterintuitive that a Hotel would be responsible for the information provided on the OTAs website, that often is the case.

A ton of ADA lawsuits also continue to be filed every day alleging that hotel websites cannot be used by individuals with visual or hearing impairments (in particular websites that utilize PDFs). Thus, it is extremely important that businesses ensure the accessibility of their websites while also providing an appropriate “accessibility statement” explaining to users the steps you have taken to improve your website’s accessibility.

During this webinar, participants will learn about: Continue reading →

Employee Handbooks, Training, and Internal Audits [Webinar Recording]

Theresa Green Leave a comment

On September 21, 2021, Aaron R. Gelb and Beeta B. Lashkari presented a webinar regarding Employee Handbooks, Training, and Internal Audits.

While few, if any, employers had time to develop state-of-the-art policies or revamp their training programs in 2020 for matters unrelated to COVID-19, they would be wise to consider taking proactive steps as the world returns to some semblance of normalcy. As employees begin to focus on more mundane matters, they would do well to remember that a well-drafted, up-to-date employee handbook tailored to your organization is an essential element of your compliance program. Effective and engaging training is necessary to communicate your policies and priorities to your employees, and to ensure your managers understand their roles and what is expected of them. A state-of-the-art handbook and top-shelf training will be of little value, however, if your employees and/or managers are not following those policies, it is critical that you conduct compliance audits to ensure your organization is walking the talk.

Participants in this webinar learned: Continue reading →

[Webinar] OSHA & the ADA: How two Labor Laws Can Align & Diverge

Jordan B. Schwartz Leave a comment
On Tuesday, December 4, 2018, at 1 pm EDT, join Jordan B. Schwartz and Lindsay A. Disalvo of Conn Maciel Carey’s national Labor & Employment Practice Group for a complimentary webinar:  “OSHA & the ADA: How two Labor Laws can Align & Diverge.”Cover slide

OSHA guidance states that “if an employee can perform their job functions in a manner which does not pose a safety hazard to themselves or others, the fact they have a disability is irrelevant.”  Although OSHA portrays this policy as straightforward, in practice, it can be difficult to determine when and how to accommodate a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”), while also protecting the safety of the disabled employee and his or her co-workers.  This assessment can be further complicated when the employer is unaware a disability may cause or contribute to a workplace safety issue.  The importance of understanding the laws at play in this context has increased, and will continue to increase significantly, due to the aging workforce, and the unique challenges these types of workers may face.

The ADA also requires that medical information related to a disability be kept confidential, yet OSHA mandates certain information be provided when recording injuries and illnesses for OSHA Recordkeeping.  A disability may also impact whether and how an injury is recorded.  Therefore, it is critical for employers to understand the intersection between the ADA and OSHA.

During this webinar, participants will learn:

  • Requirements related to ADA disability accommodation, and how to evaluate an accommodation in the context of legitimate safety concerns
  • How to address unsafe conditions or performance related to an employee disability
  • Best practices to foster safety in the context of an aging workforce
  • Injury and illness recordkeeping practices related to employee disabilities

Click here to register for this webinar.

 

 

Join Us for a Webinar on the DOL’s Major Regulatory Initiatives in 2016 and 2017

Jordan B. Schwartz Leave a comment

On Wednesday March 22, 2017, Conn Maciel Carey Labor & Employment attorneys Jordan B. Schwartz and Daniel Deacon will be presenting a free webinar reviewing the major regulatory initiatives promulgated by the US Department of Labor (“DOL”) in 2016 and discussing what employers can expect from the DOL and other federal agencies in 2017.

As employers are undoubtedly aware, the DOL was extremely active in 2016 as President Obama’s second term came to a close.  From its attempt to more than double the threshold salary level to be classified as an exempt employee to requiring that employers provide paid sick leave for contractors, the DOL hit the employer community hard.  However, President Trump and Alexander Acosta, the nominee to be the new Secretary of Labor, will likely attempt to reign in the DOL’s significant activity as well as the activity of other Federal agencies.

This webinar will review the major regulations promulgated in 2016 and provide guidance and recommendations to ensure compliance in 2017.

The webinar begins at 1:00 pm ET.  You can register for the webinar here.  You can also register for Conn Maciel Carey’s entire 2017 Labor & Employment Webinar Series below:

Register me for the entire
2017 Labor & Employment Webinar series

Announcing our 2017 Labor & Employment Webinar Series

Kara Maciel Leave a comment

5b0ac5ef-4c7d-4ae7-9d4a-2a1cffe3a587During the last few years, employers have become accustomed to increased scrutiny and enforcement from various federal agencies, including the Department of Labor, Department of Justice and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. While it is anyone’s guess as to how proactive these agencies will be during the Trump administration, the fact remains that various complex local, state, and federal laws currently are in place designed to protect employees under a wide variety of circumstances. With employers in all industries scrambling to prepare for a changing workplace in the coming months/years, it is as important as ever to be prepared for what’s ahead from an employment law perspective.

Conn Maciel Carey’s 2017 Labor & Employment Webinar Series, hosted by the firm’s Labor & Employment Practice Group, is designed to give you the practical solutions to ensure you are running your business in a way that does not run afoul of the most important labor and employment laws facing our workforce today.

Click here for the full schedule and program descriptions. To register for individual webinars, click on the program titles below.

Register me for the entire
2017 Labor & Employment Webinar series

March 22nd
The DOL’s Major 2016 Regulatory Initiatives and how (and/or whether) those will be implemented in the coming year

April 19th
Key Employment Law Issues for Start-ups and other Small Business, including relevant California laws

May 24th
Recurring Marijuana Issues in the Workplace

June 8th
The Changing Landscape of Anti-Discrimination Laws and Workplace Policies in Light of the NLRB

July 11th
Multi- and Joint-Employers, Contractors and Temps

September 19th
The Impact of Workplace Violence as it relates to Employment Laws and OSHA

October 17th
Addressing Employee Complaints: Whistleblower/Retaliation Claims and OSHA Notices of Alleged Hazards

November 15th
Employment Agreements,
Restrictive Covenants and Trade Secrets