Drafting and Revising Employee Handbooks and Policies From A to Z: Part II

Agenda / Content Covered

1. Creating and Updating Harassment, Discrimination, and Anti-Retaliation Policies
   2:00 - 2:45, Jennifer A. Corso
   1. OSHA Anti-Retaliation Rules and Policies
   2. Changes to Make to Policies: Sexual Orientation and Identity, Race, Hair, Religion, etc.
   3. Harassment Policies: Defining Prohibited Conduct, Complaint Procedures, etc.
   4. Dating Policies: What Employers Need to Know
   5. Spelling Out the Consequences of Policy Violations
   6. Legislative Updates and Case Law Developments Affecting Discrimination Policies
2. Drafting Alcohol, Drug, and Marijuana Use Policies
   2:45 - 3:30, Julie K. Hopkins
   1. Zero-Tolerance Drug Policies: A Thing of the Past?
   2. Accommodating Medical Marijuana Users: What Employers Need to Know
   3. Dos and Don'ts of Drafting Cannabis, Drug, and Alcohol Use Policies
   4. Drug-Testing Policies and Implications
   5. Special Considerations for Multi-State Employers
3. Non-Competition, Non-Solicitation, and Non-Disclosure Agreements: Best Practices and Current Developments
   3:45 - 4:30, Jennifer A. Corso
4. Discipline and Termination Policies: What They Must Contain
   4:30 - 5:15, Michael J. Progar
   1. Clearly Outlining Discipline and Termination Procedures
   2. Issues With Progressive Discipline Policies
   3. RIF and Layoffs
   4. Separation Agreements and Releases: Legal Best Practices
   5. Post-Discharge Matters to Address (Return of Office Property, Exit Meetings, etc.)

Accreditation Details:

Jennifer A. Corso is an attorney at Petronzio Schneier Co., LPA, LLC. Ms. Corso has more than 20 years of experience representing management in employment and labor law, and is certified by the Ohio State Bar Association as a specialist in labor and employment law. She has written several articles and spoken at numerous seminars and to community business groups on employment law topics. Ms. Corso is licensed to practice before all courts in the state of Ohio and the U.S. Federal Court in the Northern District of Ohio. She earned her B.S. degree from Eastern Michigan University and her J.D. degree from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law.

Julie K. Hopkins is a shareholder with Strauss & Troy LPA, where she is an experienced labor and employment advisor and problem solver. She routinely assists her clients with day to day HR-related issues, workplace training, investigations, design and administration of HR policies and programs, and best practices in hiring, performance evaluations, discipline, terminations and reductions in force. She has handled employment-related claims before administrative agencies such as the EEOC, DOL, OFCCP, state and local human rights agencies, and in various state and federal courts. Ms. Hopkins earned her B.A. degree from the University of Kentucky and her J.D. degree from the University of Kentucky College of Law. She has been involved with numerous organizations in the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky community, whose common mission is to make this region a better place to work and live. This includes service with the Northern Kentucky Tri-County Economic Development Corp. (Tri-ED), the Northern Kentucky Tri-County Economic Development Foundation (Tri-EF), the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, REDI Cincinnati, the Legacy Roebling Murals Project, Vision 2015 Regional Stewardship Council, the Licking Valley Girl Scout Council (now part of the Wilderness Road Council) and the Covington Human Rights Commission.

Michael J. Progar is a partner and founding member of Doherty & Progar LLC, with more than 40 years of experience in representing the interests of insurance companies, small businesses, and nonprofit organizations. As lead counsel, he has tried more than 50 jury trials to verdict. Mr. Progar practices primarily in the areas of personal injury, employment law, and insurance coverage. He is admitted to practice in the states of Wisconsin, Indiana, and Illinois. Mr. Progar earned his B.A degree from the University of Notre Dame and his J.D. degree from DePaul University College of Law.