Numerous decisions, requirements, and guidance memos have been issued by Federal agencies and the Courts over the past few months. These actions impact most Upstate employers.

On Thursday, August 23, the Upstate Employers Network (formerly SDA) and the Greenville Chamber of Commerce will host a special "Mid-Year Update" for human resources, benefits and safety professionals. The update will be held at Thornblade Club, located near Pelham Road in Greer. Registration will begin at 7:45 a.m., and the update will convene at 8:15 a.m. and adjourn by Noon.

Goal of this half-day briefing is to provide a concise recap of recent actions. Each speaker will provide a list of actions employers should take.

Leading the briefing will be attorneys Fred Suggs, John Merrell, Daniel Sulton, Mary Lou Hill, Mike Shetterly, Stephen Woods, and Ashley Cuttino of the Ogletree Deakins Law Firm.

Cost is $95 per person, and includes continental breakfast and materials. Pre-paid reservations are required.

MAJOR TOPICS

NLRB Update (Fred Suggs and John Merrell)

• Notice posting requirements
  
• Rules for ambush elections
  
• Expanded Section 7 rights
  
  • Concerted activity
    
  • Social media
    
  • Employer rules and policies
    
• Preparedness

Health Care and Wellness (Daniel Sulton)

• Impact of the Supreme Court's ruling on the constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
  
• Next steps and strategic considerations for employer-sponsored health plans
  
• The interaction of health care reform and wellness programs

OSHA Update (Mary Lou Hill)

• The Seventh Circuit redefines "work-related ergonomic conditions"
  
• Hazard Communication Standard: latest on mandated changes to Material Safety Data Sheets
  
• OSHA's take on the "chilling effect of safety incentives"

FMLA and ADA (Mike Shetterly)

• FMLA and ADA leave: what's the difference?
  
• Retaliation and interference claims under the FMLA
  
  • Understanding is avoiding
    
• Reasonable accommodation under the ADA

Background Checks (Stephen Woods)

• What SC employers should say in their disclosure and consent forms to SC applicants
  
• When an employer should send a pre-adverse action letter and adverse action letter
  
• What the April 2012 EEOC Guidance on criminal background cheeks says, and what employers should do

Social Media (Ashley Cuttino)

• What policies you should (or should not) have in place and why
  
• The kind of employee behavior that can expose your company to liability
  
• How use of social media impact non-compete agreements, trade secrets, etc.
  
• Navigating the issues: discrimination, privacy protection, harassment, intellectual property, and defamation
  
• NLRB rulings regarding employer's handling of social media material

HOW TO REGISTER

Fee is $95 per person for this update, and includes materials and continental breakfast. Advance, pre-paid reservations are required. Paying by credit card is the preferred method; however, checks will also be accepted.

No refunds will be issued after August 16. This policy applies to cancellation requests received after August 16, and to event "no-shows.

Register online by visiting the Greenville Chamber's Web site (credit card required to register). Click here to register online.

To register by phone, call the Upstate Employers Network (formerly SDA) at (864) 585-1007. Your reservation will be taken over the phone. Also, if you wish to pay by credit card (MasterCard or VISA only), the entire transaction can be completed during the phone call.

You can also make a reservation by fax. Registering by fax holds your reservation until payment is received. You are responsible for submitting payment before the event date. Click here for a fax reservation form.

CERTIFICATION CREDITS

Those attending this workshop may apply for SPHR or PHR credits through the Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI).

SPEAKERS
(Each speaker is an attorney with the Ogletree Deakins Law Firm)

Ashley Cuttino	Mary Lou Hill	John Merrell

Mike Shetterly	Fred Suggs	Daniel Sulton	Stephen Woods

DIRECTIONS TO THORNBLADE CLUB

• From Interstate 85, take the Pelham Road exit (Exit 54).
• Turn right onto The Parkway, and proceed to the third traffic light.
• Turn left onto Sonia Drive (street sign says Elmshorn Drive on the right).
• Turn left onto Thornblade Boulevard. Clubhouse is located approximately 3/4 mile on the right.