E&L Seminar Takeaways

Employment and Labor Law Seminar Key Takeaways

November, 2015

Seminar Recap

Our annual employment and labor law seminar provided a comprehensive update on the latest legal developments affecting employers. …

As a useful summary, the enclosed key takeaways are provided from each session, with contact information for the presenting attorneys. …

Please reach out if you have any questions.

© 2015 Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.

• Be prepared for: – Minimum wage changes in

August, 2016 – Deadline of 1/15/16 for health care

clients to implement plans to address violence against workers

• Watch out for: – Final regulation on expansion of

overtime pay in 2016 – Paid sick leave regulations – now

mandatory for some federal workers; Tabled in Minneapolis

Legal Update 2015


Teresa M. Thompson Fredrikson & Byron, P.A. 612.492.7347 [email protected]

• Do not discharge/discipline for vulgar language or using company logo on internet posting, or using company e-mail system for union or concerted protected conduct

• Franchisors and contractors should review relationships to avoid joint or single employer status

The NLRB: The Adventure Continues


Richard A. Ross Fredrikson & Byron, P.A. 612.492.7022 [email protected]

1. Untrained supervisors 2. Relying on “at-will” 3. Failing to investigate 4. Bad timing 5. Not documenting 6. Not considering severance

agreement and release

Six Termination Mistakes that Get Employers Sued


Robert C. Boisvert Fredrikson & Byron, P.A. 612.492.7101 [email protected]

• Increased enforcement • Misclassification common • Most workers are employees

Independent Contractors: The DOL Has Spoken


Ingrid N. Culp Fredrikson & Byron, P.A. 612.492.7188 [email protected]

• Workforce is aging • Employees’ psychology varies • Age discrimination risk • Strategies to retain/part ways • Consider benefits

transition issues

Legal and Psychological Considerations for the Aging Workforce



Debra J. Linder Fredrikson & Byron, P.A. 612.492.7163 [email protected]

Dr. Sarah Bridges, PH.D. Collaborative Legacy Partners (CLP) 612.290.8231 [email protected]

• Start planning now • Identify potential areas

of concern • Determine who will conduct the

audit • Determine how changes

will be communicated and implemented

Honey I Shrunk the Exemptions


Karen G. Schanfield Fredrikson & Byron, P.A. 612.492.7357 [email protected]

• FMLA paperwork – What and when largely dictated by

FMLA regulations – Use DOL forms

• ADA paperwork – Developed for each situation – Memorialize all company efforts – Often given to employee – Show legal compliance

FMLA and ADA Paperwork


Mary M. Krakow Fredrikson & Byron, P.A. 612.492.7164 [email protected]

• Just do it • Know your audience

– Primary and secondary

• Follow the rules – Policies, contracts – Consistency

• Tell the story – Facts and impact – Punchline

The Rules of Disciplinary Documentation



Accommodation Tribulations


Karen G. Schanfield Fredrikson & Byron, P.A. 612.492.7357 [email protected]



5-Step Process 1. Gather facts 2. Brainstorm accommodations 3. Engage in an interactive process

– Accommodate unless undue hardship

4. Monitor and do it again 5. Legal advice, especially if:

– Denying accommodation – Terminating

• Address the issue of preexisting customers in your noncompete/ nonsolicitation agreement to reflect your intentions

• Review your agreement for a clear and unambiguous attorneys’ fee provision

• Reliance on the advice of counsel when hiring an employee with a noncompete may be a defense if sued

• Best practice is to instruct new hires not to bring confidential information from their current employer

Lessons Learned from Sysdyne v. Rousslang


Joseph M. Sokolowski Fredrikson & Byron, P.A. 612.492.7714 [email protected]

Pamela Abbate-Dattilo Fredrikson & Byron, P.A. 612.492.7437 [email protected]

Action Items: • Review and update your social

media policy annually – be mindful of your rights and those of your employees.

• Be strategic about your job applicant social media screening process.

• Monitor and protect your online brand and reputation.

• Take ownership of social media content, sites, and profiles.

5 Key Social Media Questions Employers Should Consider


Norah E. Olson Bluvshtein Fredrikson & Byron, P.A. 612.492.7299 [email protected]

Anne M. Radolinski Fredrikson & Byron, P.A. 612.492.7104 [email protected]


• Employment practices (pre-hire, during employment and post-termination) often require compliance with statutes and other limitations

• At-will employment is default for most employees, but restrictions exist

• Companies must issue certain policies to employees

20 Things HR Should Know


Mary M. Krakow Fredrikson & Byron, P.A. 612.492.7164 [email protected]

Krista A.P. Hatcher Fredrikson & Byron, P.A. 612.492.7364 [email protected]

• Get ready for ACA reporting • Carefully coordinate ACA

and COBRA • Consider a fiduciary review on

retirement plans • Review same-sex marriage and

domestic partner benefits • Watch for more developments on

ACA, pensions

Benefit Plans Update


Thomas B. Henke Fredrikson & Byron, P.A. 612.492.7263 [email protected]

Debra J. Linder Fredrikson & Byron, P.A. 612.492.7163 [email protected]

• Avoid blanket policy re: confidentiality of internal investigations of employee misconduct

• Consult labor attorney about union organizing or NLRB petitions

• Franchisors/Contractors should review relationships to avoid joint or single employer status

• Work with counsel to review and update employee policies and practices for compliance

Is the NLRB the Mad Hatter?


Richard A. Ross Fredrikson & Byron, P.A. 612.492.7022 [email protected]

Anne M. Radolinski Fredrikson & Byron, P.A. 612.492.7104 [email protected]

• Train managers to recognize red flag behaviors

• Provide easy reporting avenues to encourage reports of possible theft

• Implement an exit interview process that addresses return of property and looks for suspicious behavior

Identifying and Deterring Company Information Threat


Sten-Erik Hoidal Fredrikson & Byron, P.A. 612.492.7334 [email protected]

David G. Waytz Fredrikson & Byron, P.A. 612.492.7401 [email protected]


Thank you for attending the Employment & Labor Law Seminar. See you next year!

www.fredlaw.com


Documents

E&L Seminar Takeaways