Southwest Florida Employment Law Blog : Southwest Florida Employment and Labor Lawyers & Attorneys for Discrimination Lawsuits and Civil Rights Cases in Fort Myers, Bonita Springs & Sanibel FL

We are so excited to announce details for the 21st Annual HR Law & Solutions Seminar!  This year's event will be held March 19, 2013 at Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa. 

For our 21st seminar, we will offer sessions on workplace investigations, workers' compensation, immigration, health care reform, and of course the case law update.  We're also bringing back the employment law Jeopardy, since it was a lot of fun and got rave reviews last year!  For our guest speaker, we are excited to welcome Chip Madera, a dynamic motivational speaker who will present HR– Keepers of the Culture:  Creating a Workplace of High Performance, Quality, and Excellence.  

Special thanks to our lunch sponsor Lykes Insurance.  Lykes has been a great partner for us over the years, and we are honored to have Lykes' continued support. 

Another special thanks -- and warm welcome -- to our new partner, and breakfast sponsor, CTR Systems, Inc.  We are so happy to have you on board!

We'll be spotlighting our sponsors here on the blog as we get closer to the seminar.   If your company would like to become a sponsor, contact Gail Lamarche to discuss your options.

Registration will open at the beginning of February.  We hope you'll join us this year, as we aim to make this the biggest and best HR Law & Solutions yet!

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 Most years our firm sponsors an annual weekend retreat, a holiday party, and several other social activities for the Henderson Franklin team. These events are typically loosely structured and serve to improve upon cohesion and camaraderie among a group whose individuals often operate independently. Many employers do the same, engineering team-building activities which run the gamut from planning elaborate out-of-state trips to sponsoring company sports teams or holding company picnics.  All are good gestures, and each tends to serve the intended purpose of boosting morale.

What you must consider, however, is the potential for injury at these activities, and whether the employer may be liable for such an injury. Playing sports or cutting loose on a retreat can certainly be great for morale, but it can also provide ample opportunity for injury. This is particularly true when alcohol consumption is involved, as is often the case at these social activities.

If an event is considered to be within an employee's course of employment, it is also covered by workers' compensation. Accordingly, here are five planning considerations when evaluating potential workers' compensation liability at your next company-related social activity:

(1)       Is attendance voluntary?  If so, the likelihood of liability is lessened, whereas if attendance is required or the employee feels it is necessary or expected, then liability is almost assured.

(2)       How much control does the company exert?  The more the company participates in the event -- whether in payment, planning, supervising, or other means -- the greater the liability.

(3)     Does the company benefit from the event?  Publicity is the most common benefit derived, but regardless of what it is, the greater the benefit, the greater the company stands to be found liable for an injury incurred during its participation.

(4)    Is the event held on company property?  If the answer is yes, and particularly if held during normal business hours, the company is more likely to be found liable.

(5)    Is there a policy explaining who bears liability?  Although not determinative, having a written policy delegating responsibility of injury to the employee lessens its chance for company liability.  Like any company policy, if you have a signed acknowledgement of the policy from the employee before the event, your position is further strengthened.

So, the next time you plan a company social activity, keep these considerations in mind, if you wish to mitigate your potential for workers' compensation liability.

While you're at it, take the time to review with your employees your company's harassment policies, especially if alcohol will be consumed at the social activity. Specifically, make sure your employees know they are subject to the company harassment policies not only at the office, but also at company social functions, even if they are not on company grounds. Because as much as these great events can offer to the employee and the company, even a single alcohol-induced harassment claim can take it all away (and then some).

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Register now to attend the 19th Annual HR Law & Solutions Seminar, sponsored by Henderson Franklin's Employment Law Practice Group. The seminar will be held on Tuesday, April 26, 2011 at the Pelican Preserve Country ClubClubhouse in Fort Myers, Florida. Registration and continental breakfast begin at 7:30 a.m. Topics and speakers include:

• Becoming a True Strategic Partner by Guest Speaker Paul Macleish
• Case Law & Legislative Update by Robert C. Shearman, Esq. and John D. Agnew, Esq.
• The FLSA and the "Gotcha Dilemma" by John F. Potanovic, Esq.
• Return to Work: Workers' Compensation Strategies for Progressive/Aggressive HR Professionals by Cora C. Molloy, Esq. and David H. Roos, Esq.
• GINA at Work: What You Need to Know Now About the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act by Suzanne M. Boy, Esq.
• Leadership in Action by Guest Speaker Dr. Rick Goodman

Registration fee is $25.00 per person and includes the seminar materials, a continental breakfast, plated lunch and valet parking. Lunch is generously sponsored by Lykes Insurance.

*HRCI has approved this course for 5.75 strategic business certification hours*  The use of this seal is not an endorsement by the  of the quality of the program. It means that this program has met the HR Certification Institute’s criteria to be pre-approved for recertification credit.

Click here to register.  Contact Gail Lamarche, Henderson Franklin's Marketing Director, with any questions.  Gail can be reached at 239.344.1186 or gail.lamarche@henlaw.com. 

Check back with us in the next few weeks as we profile guest speaker Dr. Rick Goodman, and preview some of the other sessions.  We can't wait to see everyone!

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Henderson Franklin's Employment Law Practice Group welcomed a record 280 attendees to its annual HR Law & Solutions Seminar on April 27, 2010.  Attendees learned about the latest case law and legislative updates, the risks and rewards of social media plus tips on crafting a social media policy, and the top 10 ways to protect the bottom line when dealing with workers' compensation claims.  After lunch, Sean Carter had everyone laughing out loud with his hilarious "Cleaning Up the Stress Mess" presentation.

We also recognized our first HR Law & Solutions "Hall of Fame" class.  This very special class includes those attendees who were acknowledged for their tenure and contribution to our seminar.  Congratulations, and thank you to each member.  Pictured from left to right:  Jane Rawson, Peggy Taylor, Susan Merris, Richard Intartaglio, Karen Anderson, Teresa Dudek, Steve Csotty, Charlotte King, and Becky Hayes-Foriest.  Also included but not pictured:  Sabra Smith.

We would like thank everyone who attended this year's HR Law & Solutions Seminar.  Plans for next year are already in the works.  Check back here for an announcement of the date soon.

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Register now for the 18th Annual HR Law & Solutions Seminar.  This seminar, sponsored by Henderson Franklin's Employment Law Practice Group, will be held on April 27, 2010 at the Pelican Preserve Country Club Clubhouse in Fort Myers, Florida.  Registration and continental breakfast begin at 7:45 a.m.  Topics include:

• Employment Law and Legislation Update, presented by John F. Potanovic, Esq. and Robert C. Shearman, Esq.
• Social Not-Working, presented by Suzanne M. Boy, Esq. and John D. Agnew, Esq.
• Top 10 Ways to Protect Your Bottom Line When Dealing with Workers' Compensation Claims, presented by Cora C. Molloy, Esq. and David H. Roos, Esq.
• Cleaning Up the Stress Mess, presented by Sean Carter, Esq.
• Breakout Sessions

The seminar has been approved for by HRCI 4 recertification credits. "The use of this seal is not an endorsement by the HR Certification Institute of the quality of the program. It means that this program has met the HR Certification Institute’s criteria to be pre-approved for recertification credit."

Contact Gail Lamarche, Henderson Franklin's Marketing Director, with any questions.  Gail can be reached at 239.344.1186 or gail.lamarche@henlaw.com. 

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