Labor and Employment Law Academy 2022

November 15, 2022; December 6, 2022

By: John M. Bagyi, Robert F. Manfredo, Paul J. Buehler III, and Michael D. Billok

Academy Overview

In today’s workplace, it is imperative to understand the far-reaching effects of employment laws and regulations. Failure to do so may result in administrative complaints or even costly legal judgments. 

The Academy program is your one-stop solution. As in the past, this year’s program will cover a broad range of topics that impact each and every business. 

Presented by recognized leaders in employment law and human resources, the Academy will focus on practical workplace applications that will prepare you to deal with today’s real-life issues. 

Invaluable Information for:

  • Human resource professionals
  • Business owners
  • Those performing the human resource function, including executive directors, business, office and operations managers

Location
The Desmond Hotel • 660 Albany Shaker Road
Albany, NY 12211 • (518) 869-8100

Program Agenda
8 - 8:30 a.m.           Registration and Continental Breakfast
8:30 - 11:30 a.m.    Program

3.0 General HRCI Credits and 3.0 SHRM PDCs per session

Registration Fees Per Person:
Bond clients: $60/session; $100 in advance for both sessions
Non-clients: $75/session; $130 in advance for both sessions

Refunds will only be made for cancellations received no fewer than 5 business days before event. This seminar series is intended for the invited guests of Bond, Schoeneck & King PLLC. Bond reserves the right to deny admission to any registrant.

Registration
To register as a Bond client, click here.
For non-clients, click here

November 15, 2022

Human Resource Audits: The Best Defense is a Good Offense
Presented by: John M. Bagyi, Esq., SPHR, SHRM-SCP

The pandemic put an unprecedented strain on the human resource function and, as a result, reviews of internal processes and systems to ensure compliance with state and federal laws that govern employment practices often took a back seat. It is however critically important to periodically “audit” human resource policies, practices and procedures to identify areas of noncompliance and potential liability, as well as to incorporate best practices. In this presentation, John will discuss how to effectively audit your HR practices, with a focus on commonly overlooked areas of concern. 

Employee Terminations – How to Do it Right
Presented by: Robert F. Manfredo, Esq.

Although most employees in New York are considered “at will,” there are a number of considerations that employers must think through before separating employment. This presentation will walk employers through those unique challenges, including a discussion on the limitations of at-will employment status, a review of applicable federal and state laws that come into play when thinking through a termination, the just cause standard, the mechanics of a proper termination, the importance of a well-drafted severance agreement and addressing post-employment issues through restrictive covenants. 

December 6, 2022

Unemployment Claims in a (Post?) Pandemic World
Presented by: Paul J. Buehler, III, Esq.

The last 2 ½ years have seen a massive influx of unemployment claims, so many the Department of Labor had to reassign employees from other departments to handle the backlog. For better or worse, the system has changed, but some rules and procedures have remained the same. This presentation will provide a comprehensive overview of the unemployment claim process from start to finish, including the process of reviewing and responding to claims, benefit eligibility, unemployment fraud and unemployment hearings, as well as recent changes and practical tips involving part-time workers, employee vaccinations and reasonable accommodations. 

Making the Probable Improbable: Common Mistakes That Can Result in a Probable Cause Determination from the Division of Human Rights, and How to Avoid Them
Presented by: Michael D. Billok, Esq.

“Nothing is impossible. Merely improbable. All you need is the drive.” – Douglas Adams

If you had a hunch that the Division of Human Rights is finding probable cause more often at the conclusion of its investigations, you are correct. In FY18 and FY19, DHR found probable cause in 13.5% and 13.6% of investigations, respectively. In FY20, that number grew to 15.7%. In FY21, that number is now 21.4%. Many an employer has felt that they didn’t do anything wrong, and yet was subjected to continued litigation due to a wrongly issued probable cause determination. This presentation will provide information on how to avoid common mistakes before and during Division of Human Rights investigations, in order to get the best outcome possible.