Workplace Retaliation Claims: Recent Legal Developments and Employer Best Practices
Wednesday, April 18, 2012, at 1:30 pm ET
Duration: 60 minutes
Speaker: Arlene Switzer Steinfield
Your employees may be protected by law if they complain that your business is violating certain employment statutes. . If you oppose that activity or take an adverse employment action against an employee who makes a protected complaint, you may be sued in a retaliation claim. Retaliation claims are among the most common and risky types of employment litigation. This webinar will explain why these claims are increasing and the specific challenges they present to employers defending against them in court and before administrative agencies. The program will review the statutory prohibitions of workplace retaliation and discuss recent court opinions interpreting those laws. You will gain an understanding of the evidence necessary to establish "protected activity," "adverse employment actions," and a "causal connection." The program will also provide you with a series of best practices so that your company may defend these cases successfully.
Agenda
- What are the specific statutes prohibiting workplace retaliation?
- What are examples of activity that is protected by anti-retaliation laws?
- What are the elements of a claim of retaliation, and how are they interpreted by the Supreme Court and the lower appellate courts?
- What policies and procedures regarding employee complaints should an employer have in place?
- How should an employer respond to internal complaints to reduce the likelihood of a retaliation claim?
- What other proactive steps and best practices should an employer take to reduce the likelihood of claims and to defend its actions effectively if an employee initiates a retaliation lawsuit?
Logistics
- 60-minute webinar (Travel-Free) delivered over the phone and Internet.
- Unlimited listeners per connection - bring the entire department.
- Q&A session with the expert.
This event will be presented live by phone together with a PowerPoint presentation to be viewed on your computer. Internet access is not required for phone-only participants. The PowerPoint slides will be provided shortly before the event. Once you register, you will receive an email which is your receipt and which includes your instructions for dialing in and logging on. You will also receive an email reminder 24 hours before the webinar.
What is a webinar?
A webinar is an Internet based seminar. Webinars are a way for participants in many different locations to see and hear a presentation and view PowerPoint slides. You can also have your colleagues attend the webinar using one connection.
What kind of equipment do I need?
You will need a computer with an Internet connection (high speed service such as DSL or cable works best) and a telephone. You may use a headset if that is more comfortable. The headset will also help block out background noise. Internet access is not required for phone-only participants.
How can I share the webinar with my colleagues who may not be able to attend the event?
CDs of each program will be available for sale and can be shared with your business associates.
Can I get a copy of the PowerPoint slides used in the webinar?
The PowerPoint slides will be available on the materials page link in the confirmation email that will be sent to you no later than the morning of the day a webinar is presented.
How do I ask a question during the webinar? Will my question be answered during the presentation?
A question and answer session will be scheduled at the end of each webinar. You can then ask a question by typing it into the question box that will be provided to you duringthe webinar. You may also ask a question through the telephone connection. As many questions as possible will be answered during the Question and Answer period.