Mintz's Annual Employment Law Summit 2024 - New York

2024 continues to present employers with a significant number of workplace challenges. The regulatory climate remains increasingly complex, the concept of the employment relationship continues to be altered, and employer and employees alike are navigating their way through a bevy of new issues driven by technologic and social changes. Understanding the larger picture but also the nuances of these issues is critical for employers to thrive.

Join us on May 1, 2024 for Mintz’s Eighth Annual Employment Law Summit as we bring together thought leaders to discuss the employment law hot topics of the day.

This year, we are thrilled to feature U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) New York District Director Yaw Gyebi, Jr. as our keynote speaker. 

Who should attend? C-Level executives, compliance officers, in-house counsel, and HR professionals from all industries.

Breakfast & Check-In (8:00 - 8:25 AM)

Opening Remarks (8:25 - 8:30 AM)

What’s Keeping You Up at Night?  Key Employment Law Concerns (8:30 - 9:20 AM)

The workplace challenges facing employers are greater than ever.  From mitigating the risks posed by bad hires, to effectively managing both problematic but also exceptional performers, to creating a safe and productive work environment – we will delve into these and some of the other most challenging issues keeping employers up at night.  In this engaging panel, employment experts from various industries will share their strategies and insights for effectively navigating these complex issues.

Moderator: LisaMarie Collins, Mintz

Panelists: Avisheh Avini, Baldor Specialty Foods, Inc., Leslie Ballantyne, Sloan Kettering, and Jamie Kohen, JPMorgan Chase & Co.

What Would You Do? DEI and Affirmative Action Edition (9:20 - 10:10 AM)

This interactive program will explore the DEI landscape in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s affirmative action decisions and will engage seminar participants in a discussion exploring current challenges and potential solutions that further DEI concepts in a legally compliant and practical manner.

Presenters: Jen Rubin, Mintz

Break (10:10 - 10:25 AM)

2024 Wage and Hour Developments: Emerging Issues and Questions Impacting Employers (10:25 - 11:15 AM)

2024 has already seen several significant wage and hour developments nationwide and in New York that impact employers and employees alike.  Starting just ten days into the New Year with the U.S. Department of Labor’s publication of its final rule modifying the test to determine independent contractor classification status under the Fair Labor Standards Act, which is already subject to legal challenges, employers are facing several new federal wage and hour compliance obligations in 2024.  New York is certainly no exception to this general theme, with the New York State Department of Labor increasing the minimum wage and salary thresholds for exemption statuses, and New York State courts arriving at dueling interpretations of whether “manual workers” have a private right of action under the New York Labor Law.  Our panelists will examine these and other critical developments during this segment and offer insights into how businesses can effectively prepare for these changes.

Presenters: David Barmak and Evan Piercey, Mintz

Key Discrimination & Harassment Developments for New York Employers (11:15 - 12:05 PM)

Mintz’s employment and benefits attorneys will discuss several of the most noteworthy discrimination and harassment-related developments at the Federal, New York State, and New York City levels over the past year. This segment will include a review of the EEOC’s 2024-2028 Strategic Enforcement Plan and how it impacts employers (including with respect to topics such as artificial intelligence in the hiring process); an overview of employers’ obligations under the recently enacted Pregnant Workers Fairness Act; considerations for handling political issues in the workplace; and a discussion of pay transparency enforcement efforts under the New York City Human Rights Law.

Presenters: Andrew Bernstein, Michelle Capezza and Corbin Carter, Mintz

Lunchtime Keynote: EEOC New York District Director Yaw Gyebi, Jr. (12:05 - 1:00 PM)

Director Gyebi Jr.’s remarks will be followed by a Q&A. 

Break (1:00 - 1:05 PM)

Do’s and Don’ts for Conducting Reductions in Force (1:05 - 1:55 PM)

Reductions in force (“RIF”) and involuntary layoffs are an unfortunate reality for many employers.  There are a myriad of critical issues an employer must consider when planning for and implementing a RIF, from safeguarding its trade secrets and confidential information, to entering into enforceable separation agreements.  This discussion will delve into the best practices for creating a RIF selection process, the documents (termination letters, separation agreements, etc.) that ensure compliance with the various intersecting federal, state, and local laws, as well as helpful tips to make sure that employees do not leave the company with its confidential information and trade secrets.

Presenters: Brendan Lowd and Brad Scheller, Mintz

Closing Remarks (1:55 - 2:00 PM)

CLE and HR credits are available.

For any additional questions, please contact [email protected].

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