Agenda / Content Covered

1. Successful Hiring and Recruitment Steps
   9:00 - 10:00, Written by Suzan Sturholm. Presented by Ian P. McCurdy in Bellingham and Suzan Sturholm in Seattle and Olympia.
   1. Drafting Accurate Job Descriptions
   2. Job Applications: Getting the Data You Need
   3. Proper Way to Conduct Background Checks
   4. Screening References Through a Filter of Reality
   5. The Job Offer or Rejection Letter
   6. Checklist for a Legal Hire
   7. Orientation and Training
   8. Immigration Compliance Documents (I-9 and E-Verify)
   9. IRS and Federal Compliance Documents (SS-4, W-4, Form 940)
2. Employee Handbooks and Policies in the 21st Century
   10:00 - 10:45, Written and Presented by Aaron V. Rocke in Bellingham, Seattle and Olympia.
   1. Guidelines for Whether Your Organization Should or Should Not Have a Handbook
   2. Ensuring Handbook Style Fits with Corporate Culture
   3. Revising the Old vs. Starting Anew
   4. Topics That Should be Included
   5. Boilerplate Language
3. Wage Issues
   11:00 - 11:45, Written by Linda S. Fang. Presented by Jordan Wada in Bellingham and Olympia, and Ada K. Wong in Seattle.
   1. State-Specific Wage and Hour Laws
   2. What Qualifies as Overtime?
   3. Differences to be Aware of: Salaried Exempt vs. Salaried Non-Exempt
   4. Options for Employees Reporting Time Worked
   5. Handling Deductions from Wages
4. Other Employment Laws You Need to Know
   12:45 - 1:30, Written and Presented by Marcella Fleming Reed in Bellingham, Seattle and Olympia.
   1. Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
   2. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
   3. Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN)
   4. Older Workers' Benefit Protection Act (OWBPA)
   5. Age Discrimination and Employment Act (ADEA)
   6. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and Sexual Harassment
   7. Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA)
   8. Uniformed Services Employment Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA)
5. Controlling Unemployment Compensation Costs
   1:30 - 2:15, Written and Presented by Aaron V. Rocke in Bellingham, Seattle and Olympia.
   1. General Rules on Who is Entitled to Unemployment Compensation
   2. Key Information to Present Regarding the Initial Claim
   3. When is it Important to Fight an Unemployment Compensation Claim
   4. What you Need to Know About the Hearing Process
   5. Traditional Ways to Manage Unemployment Compensation Costs
6. Workplace Behavior and Privacy - Current Developments
   2:30 - 3:30, Written by Shannon L. Trivett. Presented by Ian P. McCurdy in Bellingham, Shannon L. Trivett in Seattle, and Suzan Sturholm in Olympia.
   1. Employee Surveillance
   2. Searches of Desks, Smartphones, Lockers, Vehicles, Equipment, etc.
   3. Monitoring Employee Communications: Calls, Email and Internet Use
   4. Dress Code/Personal Appearance
   5. Drug and Alcohol Testing
   6. Psychological and Personality Tests
   7. Workplace Violence: Harassment and Bullying
   8. Off-Duty Behavior and Activities
7. Discipline and Discharge - Necessary Documentation
   3:30 - 4:30, Written and Presented by Marcella Fleming Reed in Bellingham, Seattle and Olympia.
   1. Putting a Discipline Policy in Place Proactively
   2. What to do When There is no Policy Addressing an Offense
   3. Evaluating Employee Performance While Mitigating Liability
   4. What Goes in the Discipline/Discharge Letter?
   5. At What Point Should Discharge be Considered?
   6. Minimizing Liability When Discharging an Employee
   7. Common Mistakes to Avoid During Discharge
   8. Waivers and Releases - Their Use After Termination

Accreditation Details:

IAN P. McCURDY is an attorney at Adelstein Sharpe & Serka LLP in Bellingham, where he concentrates primarily on employment litigation and employer advising. He represents and advises clients in matters pertaining to workplace discrimination and harassment, leaves of absence, wage and hour violations, and wrongful terminations. In addition to litigation and advising clients, Mr. McCurdy has experience representing clients in front of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ("EEOC") and the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals ("BIIA"). He received his B.A. degree from Occidental College and his J.D. degree from the University of Oregon School of Law; and is admitted to the Washington State Bar Association. (Bellingham location)

MARCELLA FLEMING REED, SPHR, is the founder of MFR Law Group, PLLC. She provides human resources and employment law advice to employers, conducts management training, investigates EEO and ethics complaints, is an arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association and mediates employment disputes. Ms. Reed also serves as a consulting and testifying expert for both plaintiffs and defendants regarding the efficacy of human resource policies, procedures and practices. She graduated from the University of Virginia School of Law as well as earning her M.A. and B.A. degrees in educational administration and elementary education from the University of Iowa. Ms. Reed is licensed to practice law in Washington and Virginia and is certified by the Human Resource Certification Institute as a senior professional in human resources. (Bellingham and Seattle and Olympia locations)

AARON V. ROCKE is a partner in the Rocke Law Group, PLLC, in Seattle, where he heads the firm's litigation practice. He practices primarily in the areas of employment litigation, commercial litigation and personal injury litigation. Mr. Rocke has frequently taught trial techniques and seminars to other lawyers, and he has served as faculty for the National Institute of Trial Advocacy and as an adjunct professor at Seattle University School of Law. He is trained to mediate cases with the EEOC. Mr. Rocke also serves as a judge pro tem. He earned his B.A. degree from the University of Washington and his J.D. degree from Seattle University School of Law. Mr. Rocke is a member of the Washington State Bar Association. (Bellingham, Seattle and Olympia locations)

SUZAN STURHOLM is president of All Things HR, LLC. She has more than 25 years of human resources, executive level management, and business development experience. Ms. Sturholm is an innovative human resource professional skilled at creating cost-effective solutions for complex business problems. She has been recognized for her vision, strategic planning and tactical implementation. Ms. Sturholm is a results-orientated professional and has experience with both union and non-union settings. She believes that good human resources helps provide a solid foundation for a growing company. Ms. Sturholm's passion is in facilitating the structuring of clients human resource departments that will help to grow and nurture long-term and loyal employees which will in turn grow the client's business. She received her certificate in human resources management from the University of Washington. Ms. Sturholm is a certified professional in human resources (PHR). She is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management and Snohomish County Human Resource Association. (Seattle and Olympia locations)

SHANNON L. TRIVETT is an attorney with Lasher Holzapfel Sperry & Ebberson, PLLC, specializing in employment litigation and transactional work. She represents both employers and employees in litigation in state and federal court and before administrative agencies in all areas of employment law, including wage and hour disputes, harassment and discrimination claims, and administrative audits. Ms. Trivett also assists employers in developing and revising their workplace policies, including non-competition and non-solicitation agreements. Likewise, she advises individuals regarding their rights under such policies and agreements. Prior to joining Lasher, Ms. Trivett practiced in general insurance defense litigation with a small boutique firm in Seattle. Prior to that, she served as a judicial law clerk with Justice Charles W. Johnson of the Washington State Supreme Court. Ms. Trivett received her B.A. and Bachelor of Music from Oberlin College and Conservatory of Music and her J.D. degree, magna cum laude, from Seattle University School of Law. (Seattle location)

JORDAN WADA is an attorney at AKW Law, P.C., where he started as a Law Clerk while he was a student at the University of Washington School of Law. His practice focuses on employment law. Mr. Wada received his B.A. degree from the University of California, San Diego, and his J.D. degree from the University of Washington School of Law. He is admitted to the State Bar of California and the Washington State Bar Association. (Bellingham and Olympia locations)

ADA K. WONG is an attorney and the owner of AKW Law, P.C., where she focuses on employment law. Ms. Wong is also an Adjunct Professor at the Seattle University School of Law. Further, she currently serves as the Associate Editor of the WSAJ Trial News, Editorial Board Member of the American Inns of Court The Bencher, and Public Relations Chair of the William L. Dwyer American Inns of Court. Ms. Wong received her B.A. degree from the University of California, Davis, and her J.D. degree from the University of Washington School of Law. She is admitted to the State Bar of California and the Washington State Bar Association. (Seattle location)