H R
W E S T
®
2 0 1 4
C O N F E R E N C E
P R O G R A M
23
Concurrent Sessions
MONDAY, APRIL 28 |
1:00–2:30 PM
ROOM 205
101
Making the Case:
Driving HR Initiatives at the Board Level
Workplace Application:
Deliver a compelling value proposition to encourage
investments in HR initiatives.
While many executives talk about the importance of people in the organization,
it is not unusual for sales, research and development, or other financial
concerns to override HR’s initiatives. In order to leverage your seat at the table
and move HR initiatives forward, HR leaders must be skilled at making the
case for HR where it counts—at the board level. Study examples of business
cases for HR initiatives and receive guidance in developing your own case for a
relevant HR initiative. Create and communicate a compelling statement of the
business value of investments in HR initiatives.
Presenter:
Jennifer Vessels, CMC, CEO, Next Step
JUNIOR BALLROOM 1 & 2
102
The Current State of Health Care Reform
Workplace Application:
Minimize risk as health care legislation fluctuates by
understanding key compliance areas and monitoring health care reform.
Knowledge of health care reform is essential for businesses to plan ahead
and evaluate benefits strategies now and in the future. HR professionals must
understand and address the complex business risks associated with health
care legislation compliance. Evaluate your organization’s risk tolerance with
respect to preparing for benefits legislation as it continues to fluctuate and
evolve. Learn three key areas employers need to focus on to avoid litigation risk
and government penalties associated with benefit plans. Leverage health care
reform fluctuations as a powerful tool in employee communications.
Presenter:
Jennifer Lunski, Esq., Director of Compliance, Wells Fargo Insurance
ROOM 208
103
Using an Economic-Based Approach to
Resolve Wage and Hour Disputes in California
Workplace Application:
Quickly evaluate wage and hour cases to
make economically rational decisions regarding appropriate case
management and resolution.
Slow and emotional response to employee wage and hour claims causes
organizations unnecessary financial loss and workplace stress. The solution
is early, strategic case management to identify cases that should be resolved
expeditiously and confidentially. Such cases generally have three common
characteristics: the employee has asserted at least one valid wage and hour
claim in court; the claim will require the employer to pay the employee’s
attorney’s fees; and the employee has retained an attorney. Learn to manage
wage and hour claims from initiation to final resolution, and to evaluate legal
advice provided by outside counsel.
Presenter:
Patrick Kitchin, Esq., Attorney-At-Law, Kitchin Legal, APC
GRAND BALLROOM DE
104
Investigation Interviews:
How to Get Critical Evidence From Your Witnesses
Workplace Application:
Conduct thorough and effective investigations by
expanding and sharpening your interviewing skills.
Following a workplace incident or situation, you must conduct an investigation.
But an investigation is only as good as the information that is collected. When
HR professionals do not ask the proper questions, the entire investigation can be
called into question and can create liability for the employer. Using role plays and
audience interaction, uncover common pitfalls and best practices in conducting
investigative interviews. Gain new techniques to get the level of detail you need
from witnesses—including hostile or uncooperative witnesses. Understand how to
efficiently use documents and other evidence with your witnesses.
Presenter:
Allison West, Esq., SPHR, Principal,
Employment Practices Specialists
JUNIOR BALLROOM 3 & 4
105
Are Your Policies Legal?
The NLRB May Not Think So
Workplace Application:
Respond to recent NLRB developments regarding
workplace policies.
Recent enforcement activity and rulings from the National Labor Relations Board
(NLRB) have put the spotlight on the interplay between the National Labor
Relations Act (NLRA) and many common employment policies and practices in
both union and non-union workplaces — including policies on confidentiality,
social media, civility, and workplace access, as well as at-will disclaimers and
arbitration agreements. Dive deep into recent NLRB developments regarding
workplace policies and explore best practices in responding to
those developments.
Presenter:
Walter Stella, Esq., Shareholder, Miller Law Group
GRAND BALLROOM FGH
106
Reality-Based Rules:
Driving Results and Fulfilling Missions
Workplace Application:
Quantify employee value using a revolutionary new
performance metric.
Organizations are calling for talent to deliver aggressive agendas with limited
resources in a whole new set of work realities. It is vital that HR professionals
adopt a new approach to ensure that human resources are able to deliver
on the organization’s strategic goals. Reality-Based Rules of the Workplace,
five groundbreaking findings, will revolutionize HR strategies for managing
organizational change. Learn a coaching model to communicate and reinforce
the behaviors proven to most highly impact results. Learn a new approach to
managing change, measuring performance and creating engagement to
drive results and deliver value on strategic initiatives.
Presenter:
Cy Wakeman, President, Cy Wakeman, Inc.
ROOM 204
107
Stickball Meets Rugby:
New Recruiting Rules to Win in a Crazy Market
Workplace Application:
Win the talent war by understanding current recruiting
trends and strengthening your employer brand.
The war for talent has heated up dramatically in the SF Bay Area and globally.
The ability to hire the right talent for your organization before they get snapped
up by a competitor is critical to supporting your business leaders and their
goals. Get a pulse on the current recruiting trends and understand how they
affect your organization. Hear stories of innovation in HR, including how and
why they succeeded. Take away tips and tricks to help you reformulate
your employment brand and win the talent war.
Presenter:
Valerie Frederickson, CMF(M), Founder & CEO,
Valerie Frederickson & Company
Compensation, Benefits and Hris
Employment Law and Legislation
Talent Management and Engagement
Leadership and Management
Employee Relations
General HR
has spoken at
SHRM Conference
was or is an
HR Practitioner
