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Clair W. Fisher HR-Related Law Series: Session Information

Clair W. Fisher HR-Related Law Series:
Special Issues in Employee Relations Law

One in a series of courses on the legal aspects of human resource management
leading to a Certificate in HR Related Law.

February 6 - March 12, 2012
Test Date: March 26, 2012
[Mondays, 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.]

Farm Bureau
5400 University Avenue
West Des Moines, Iowa

Registration is now closed

The Sessions ...

Employment Related Tort Litigation
Attorney Instructor: Jill Jensen Welch (February 6th)

A plaintiff’s lawyer will discuss employment related tort claims utilized by plaintiffs to side-step the concept of employment-at-will. The following types of claims will be discussed:

  • Defamation claims arising from communications to the affected employee, co-workers, customers and persons conducting reference checks;
  • Public policy tort claims;
  • Intentional infliction of emotional distress claims;
  • Negligent hiring, retention, supervision, and investigative claims;
  • Intentional interference with contract or prospective business advantage.

You will also discuss key issues that a plaintiff’s lawyer will be looking for when evaluating employment-related tort claims and you will discuss under what circumstances an individual manager or human resources staffer may be held individually liable for engaging in tortuous behavior.
 

Employment Privacy Claims
Attorney Instructor: Helen Adams (February 13th)

Thousands of charges per year are filed under the Americans with Disabilities Act with issues of discharge and failure to accommodate leading the way. This section will focus on understanding disability law under the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA) and the Iowa Civil Rights Act.

Written Employment Contracts
Attorney Instructor: Gayla Harrison (February 20th)

You will learn when and how to use written offer letters and employment contracts to your company’s advantage and you will discuss common pitfalls to avoid when using such documents. This session will also focus on the circumstances under which your company’s employee handbook, personnel policies, supervisor’s handbook, or other written policy statements may be deemed to constitute a contract for other than employment at-will. Learn what languages to avoid and what disclaimers to add when drafting company policies.


Substance Abuse in the Workplace
Attorney Instructor: Frank Harty (February 27th)

Learn about legal restrictions and considerations that may impact your company’s ability to draft and implement effective policies and programs dealing substance abuse. You will discuss your company’s limited ability to drug test in Iowa and the proper procedures that you must follow in order to implement a legal drug testing program. In addition, this class will meet the requirements for required supervisory training.


Statutory Developments
Attorney Instructor: Hugh Cain (March 5th)

This session will focus on providing a general overview of statutory laws and developments that affect the area of employee relations. The discussion will include a review of current trends and any pertinent court cases.


Understanding Alternative Dispute Resolution
Attorney Instructor: Bill Kelly and Jo Ellen Whitney (March 12th)

You will be exposed to different types of alternative dispute resolution methods including mediation and arbitration. You will discuss the pros and cons of each method, as well as the features of an effective alternative dispute resolution process. You will also learn how DR is currently being used by the ICRC and EEOC to decrease the delay inherent in the processing of discrimination claims. This session will end with a mock mediation so that you can see how one form of ADR actually operate.