Everyone knows that having an employee handbook in place is important, but that handbook is of little to no value if the policies contained therein are not regularly updated to comply with changes in the law, the evolving world in which we work, as well as changes in the company's culture and workforce.
In this presentation we will discuss:
• Legal updates to handbooks you might not realize you need involving, among other things, new protected categories, changes in leave laws, and the increased number of employees working remotely, including in other states.
• Ways to ensure awareness of, and maximize compliance with, the policies, and information contained in the handbook and including policies therein that reflect the changing world and evolving workforce.
• Non-legal benefits of handbooks such as a way to roll out and promote DEI initiatives, send a message of the company culture, provide an overview of benefits and perks offered by the company; and highlight corporate responsibility initiatives and opportunities.
ABOUT THE PRESENTERS
Melissa Salimbene is an experienced employment litigator and trusted advisor. For her litigation practice, Melissa regularly represents public and private employers of all sizes and industries before state and federal courts and administrative agencies in all aspects of employment litigation, including defending claims of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wage and hour issues. Melissa also brings and defends restrictive covenant claims involving trade secrets, confidentiality agreements, non-compete agreements and other post-employment obligations.
In addition, Melissa regularly counsels business owners and human resources professionals in order to ensure compliance with applicable employment laws and obligations. This includes advising her clients on employee hiring, discipline and termination, classification issues, necessary policies and procedures, wage and hour requirements, ADA accommodations, leaves of absence and other workforce management issues. In connection with this advice, Melissa prepares employment related documents, including employee handbooks and policies, employment agreements, restrictive covenants, confidentiality agreements and separation agreements. Melissa also represents individuals in negotiating employment agreements and separation agreements.
Melissa conducts internal workplace investigations on employment related issues such as claims of harassment and discrimination, and she provides trainings to employees including sensitivity and anti-harassment training. Melissa also advises clients on employment issues that arise in the context of corporate transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, downsizing and reorganization. This includes due diligence, as well as negotiation and preparation of employment related agreements.
While attending Rutgers Law School, Melissa served as a legal research and writing instructor and a staff editor of the Rutgers Law Record. Prior to joining the firm, Melissa was a law clerk to Judge Sybil R. Moses, the Assignment Judge of the Superior Court of Bergen County, N.J.
Lindsay Dischley is an experienced employment attorney.
In this capacity, Lindsay represents employers in all aspects of employment litigation, including wrongful discharge, discrimination, harassment, whistleblower, retaliation and wage and hour claims in the state and federal courts of New Jersey and New York and before federal, state, and local administrative agencies, including the EEOC, New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce Development, New Jersey Division on Civil Rights, New York State Division of Human Rights, and New York City Commission on Human Rights.
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