2010 Baird Holm Labor Law Forum

Thursday, May 6, 2010
7:45 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.
Qwest Center Omaha

The 22nd Annual Baird Holm Labor Law Forum and Tradeshow will once again be the area’s largest labor, employment and benefits law event. This event has attracted more than 600 business professionals in years past and this year will be no exception. Attend the Forum to learn about the latest advancements in labor law and how they affect your business. 

 Learn about the latest advancements in labor law and gather information on goods and services provided by a variety of local businesses and organizations at the Labor Forum Tradeshow. View all sponsors and exhibitors here. 

Agenda

7:45 a.m.  
Registration

8:15 a.m.  
Welcome and Introduction
Christopher R. Hedican

8:30 a.m.
Key Employment Law Developments and Trends
Scott S. Moore

Each year there are a number of legislative and regulatory changes to employment law.  In addition, various agencies are revamping the way they enforce these laws such that the decisions by the Department of Labor, EEOC and NLRB greatly affect how we all manage human capital.  This session will provide an executive overview of these changes, their effect on employer compliance programs, and responsive modifications employers should implement.

9:30 a.m.
Accommodating Workplace Disabilities
Scott P. Moore

Few work issues are as challenging as managing the interactive process under the ADA to identify and provide a reasonable accommodation.  Proposed regulations to the ADA promise to complicate matters. Learn some of the best practices for accommodation, particularly given the anticipated accommodation regulations.

10:30 a.m. 
Break

10:45 a.m.
Morning Break-Out Sessions:

Employee Benefits Law Update
Amy Erlbacher-Anderson, Gary N. Clatterbuck, and Adam L. Cockerill

The Employee Benefits Law Update will include an extended overview of the affect of the landmark Health Reform Legislation enacted on March 23, 2010, on health plans sponsored by employers, with an emphasis on the changes which take effect before 2014.

Non-compete and Confidential Information Agreements: Current Issues and Concerns in the LinkedIn Age     
Chris Hedican                                                                               

Non-compete and confidential information agreements can be important tools to protect your business, but they are not suitable for all employers.  This session will discuss the critical requirements of these agreements, whether they make sense for your organization, and what options an employer has with current and former employees who have no such agreements. Finally, learn how to protect goodwill on employee’s social networking sites, such as LinkedIn. 

No Cause: Responding to Discrimination Charges             
Heidi Guttau-Fox

Securing a "no cause" finding takes careful preparation, both before and after filing the response.  This session will explain what employers should do to increase their chances of defeating discrimination charges filed against them with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and other state and local discrimination agencies.

11:45 a.m.
"Omaha's Best Places To Work" Awards Luncheon
Sponsored by Baird Holm LLP and The Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce

Please join us at the Qwest Center for lunch as we hear from this year's winners about how they became a "Best Place to Work" in Omaha.  (Separate registration and fee required).

1:15 p.m.
Employment Case Law Update
R.J. (Randy) Stevenson

The U.S. Supreme Court had a busy year, issuing several new decisions affecting employers, as did other courts.  This session analyzes these federal and state court decisions and outlines what steps employers should implement now to respond to them.

2:15 p.m.
Common Immigration Verification and Enforcement Problems 
Amy Erlbacher-Anderson

Experienced and new human resource professionals will learn how to avoid the routine mistakes employers make under the immigration laws from our immigration expert.

2:45 p.m.   
Break

3:00 p.m.  
The FMLA Challenge
David J. Kramer and Kelli Lieurance

Review important FMLA issues under the new regulations with Baird Holm’s game show hosts as they attempt to stump guest contestants.

3:45 p.m.  
Afternoon Break-Out Sessions:

Employment Law 101
Quinn Vandenberg and Alison Dempsey

Understanding the landscape of employment law is critical to managing employees.  Whether you are new to human resources or a seasoned professional, you will benefit by this session’s review of the key employment laws and how they interrelate.

Wage and FLSA Class Actions:  The New Defense           
Allison D. Balus

Wage and Hour Class Action claims have accelerated around the country, and have begun to expand into new industries and theories of liability.  However, a recent new defense theory has emerged similar to the one available to employers in sexual harassment claims. Learn about this defense and what employers can do to prevent class action claims from Baird Holm’s lead class action defense attorney.

Anti-Employer Websites and Risks of Social Networking    
Kelli Lieurance and Todd West

For over a decade, companies successfully have used the world wide web to enhance their business.  However, current and former employees use these same tools to bash the actions of their current and former employers, and even commit espionage.  Learn about what employers should do to help prevent and respond to such actions, and the risks of liability associated with social networking use.

4:45 p.m.   
Forum Concludes

Best Places to Work Awards Luncheon

Attend the Best Places to Work in Omaha Awards Luncheon, sponsored by Baird Holm LLP and the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce. Cheer your winning company, or learn what makes these companies great! The Best Places to Work Awards Luncheon is $35 USD per person, or purchase a table of ten for $350 USD.

Register now to hear first-hand from the winners on how they became a “Best Place to Work” in Omaha.

Recertification and CLE Credits

This year's program has been pre-approved for 6.5 hours of recertification credit hours toward PHR, SPHR and GPHR recertification through the HR Certification Institute (HRCI). To learn more about certification and recertification, visit www.hrci.org.

The use of this seal is not an endorsement by the HR Certification Institute of the quality of the program. It means that this program has met the HR Certification Institute's criteria to be pre-approved for recertification credit.

NEBRASKA CLE

Starting in 2010, active members of the Nebraska State Bar Association are now required to obtain 10 credit hours of continuing education per year. The Baird Holm Labor Law Forum has been approved for 6.25 credits in Nebraska and Iowa.  

In addition, the Labor Law Forum is pending approval in Kansas, Missouri, Wyoming and Colorado.

Registration

Registration fee for non-clients is $150 USD per person on or prior to April 30, 2010. After April 30, 2010, registration fee is $175 USD, so register today. Registration includes a full day of educational sessions, 2010 Labor Forum session book, continental breakfast and admission to the Forum Tradeshow. Separate registration and fee are required for the Best Places to Work Awards Luncheon. No refunds will be issued after April 30, 2010.

Current Baird Holm clients may attend this event at no charge. To ensure you are not charged, please enter the coupon code found on the registration portion of your Forum invitation when registering online.

Hotel Accommodations and Parking

As an added benefit for our out-of town attendees, we have partnered with the Fairfield Inn and Suites in Downtown Omaha, to offer hotel rooms at a discounted group rate.  These rooms may be booked for the night before the event (Wednesday, May 5, 2010) at the rate of $119.00 for a standard room or $129.00 for a suite. The hotel is located just blocks from the Qwest Center and a complimentary shuttle service will be available to take you to and from the forum. Click here for more information or to book your room at the special Forum rate.

Parking at the Qwest Center is $6.00 per car per each entrance to the lot. If you leave during the event you will need to pay for parking again when you return. Click here for more information on parking or for directions to the Qwest Center Omaha.