Labor & Employment Webinar Series

The Labor & Employment Practice Group is chartering a brand new webinar series occurring each Wednesday at noon in September and October, offering free in-flight Q&As, HRCI/SHRM credit and nonstop legal HR topics. View the full itinerary below and book now to reserve your seat(s)!

 

September 2, 2020 – Adam W. Childers

In Case of Emergency, the Flotation Device is Located Under Your Seat—Reductions in Force, Furloughs and Other Post-Termination Pandemic Considerations

Employers are faced with the challenge of making difficult personnel choices due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As business revenue continues to drop with no end to the global health crisis in sight, companies will need to reduce the bottom line to make ends meet.

This can include the possibility of implementing a reduction in force (RIF), a temporary furlough, a voluntary retirement program or a combination of the three. Legal obligations that accompany these actions, as well as other post-employment considerations (restrictive covenants, separation agreements and protection of company property and trade secrets), create a heavy workload for human resources professionals already struggling to comply with federal and state COVID-19 guidelines and managing the impact of schools operating under unusual schedules.

This webinar is designed to help human resources professionals understand the legal pitfalls associated with RIFs, furloughs and other post-employment considerations as we continue to navigate the new normal.

The recorded version of this webinar is unavailable.

 

September 9, 2020 – Randall J. Snapp and Caroline Lindemuth

Mask Up and Get Ready to Take-Off (Time) with the EFMLA, ESL and Other Leave of Absence Issues in the COVID-19 Era

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues and schools reopen in some form, many employees are faced with conflicts between work responsibilities, childcare or other obligations. This webinar will explore the rights available to employees under the Emergency Family and Medical Leave Act (EFMLA) and/or emergency sick leave (ESL) laws and regulations, as well as employer obligations pursuant to those laws. The presentation will also focus on general attendance issues in the workplace as well as attendance issues arising from pandemic-related circumstances.

Watch the recorded version of the webinar.

 

September 16, 2020 – Tanya S. Bryant

The 8 Problematic Passengers on Every Flight: Preventing Unintended Consequences After You Receive a Complaint
This webinar will examine scenarios in which 8 different characters have lodged complaints in the workplace. The presentation will include a review of different federal and state laws that may be relevant considering the type of complaint. Attendees will learn how to approach each situation taking into account the complainant’s characteristics while not inviting retaliation claims, including:

  • Identifying the characteristics of each personage
  • Considering the risks and potential liability to your organization based on the type of complaint
  • Effectively managing and dealing with each personage to lessen the risk of a retaliation claim

Watch the recorded version of the webinar.

 

September 23, 2020 – Allen L. Hutson

Please Place Seat Backs and Tray Tables in Their Upright Position—COVID-19 and the Americans with Disabilities Act

The COVID-19 pandemic has raised a number of health concerns impacting employees and employers. This webinar will cover the interplay between these health concerns and the Americans with Disabilities Act, including:

  • The EEOC’s position with respect to accommodations related to COVID-19
  • How to handle real life accommodation requests related to COVID-19
  • The non-legal considerations in handling accommodation requests related to COVID-19

Watch the recorded version of the webinar.

 

September 30, 2020 – Melissa McDuffey

We May Encounter Unexpected Turbulence—Please Fasten Your Seatbelts : The Impact of Social Justice Movements in the Workplace

Attendees will receive an overview of various social justice movements that are prevalent in today’s society and how these issues are affecting the workforce. Additionally, a better understanding of where these issues fall within traditional employment laws that protect employees from discrimination on the basis of recognized protected classes will be covered. Finally, we will explore related issues that have arisen regarding employees’ off-duty conduct.

Watch the recorded version of the webinar.

 

October 7, 2020 – Evan Way

All U.S. Military are Upgraded to First Class—What Employers Must Consider When National Guard and Other Servicemembers Return from Duty

Overview of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), Oklahoma state law equivalents and how these statutes come into play with this year’s 46,500 national guard activations for COVID-19 and civil unrest responses.

  • Types of orders that qualify towards USERRA’s five year protections
  • Employer’s obligations if an employee is activated under state active duty
  • Employer’s obligations to servicemembers if it must implement a furlough or RIF

Watch the recorded version of the webinar.

 

October 14, 2020 – Madalene A.B. Witterholt

No Smoking Allowed in the Lavatory: OSHA in the Time of COVID-19

COVID-19 has been challenging enough for our society. As employers, we have other things to worry about besides keeping ourselves safe—we must keep our employees safe in a way that meets regulatory guidance. This presentation will examine the basis for OSHA compliance, how to draft and implement safety plans and how the courts are responding, including:

  • How the general duty clause affects organizations in the era of COVID-19
  • How and when to make a safety plan for the pandemic
  • Recent case law and lessons learned concerning OSHA and COVID-19

Watch the recorded version of the webinar.

 

October 21, 2020 – Michael W. Bowling

Prepare for Take-Off: How this Year’s Supreme Court Decisions will Impact the Latitude and Longitude of Future Employment Law Issues

From blockbuster, headline-makers to less-heralded decisions, the U.S. Supreme Court decides cases each term that impact employers and employer-sponsored benefit plans. This session will review such decisions from the Supreme Court’s 2019-2020 term. Particular focus regarding the impact of these decisions and practical response to these decisions, including recommended policy revisions and plan language updates, will be concentrated on.

Watch the recorded version of the webinar.

 

November 10, 2020 – Mary P. Snyder

We Apologize, but There will be No Inflight Beverage Service Today: Regulatory Concerns for Employers During an Economic Downturn

In this webinar, employers will review regulatory issues to consider when making changes to labor costs. The presentation will include a discussion of cost-cutting trouble spots under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), commonly overlooked state law obligations and a refresher on Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act of 1988 (WARN Act) obligations in the event of a larger-scale layoff or facility closure.

Watch the recorded version of the webinar.