Webinars are sorted by date with the most recent webinars on top
Webinar Library
Recorded Webinars - 2023
Why Do I Have to Hire That Felon? Understanding California's Background Check Laws
In late 2022, the Civil Right Department (formerly the Department of Fair Employment and Housing) announced a revitalized effort to enforce the Fair Chance Act (aka Ban the Box). Knowing how to properly manage this and other related laws is critical for employers. Join Tim Santoni, President & CEO of Santoni, a nationally known private investigation and background screening company, as he joins Linda Duffy, President of Ethos Human Capital Solutions, and Kurtis Urien, attorney with Merhab Robinson & Clarkson, as they discuss the issues surrounding background checks:
- At what point in your hiring process you should be conducting background checks
- What you can and cannot include in background checks
- The difference between the National Criminal Database search versus a county criminal search
- How to read and interpret a background check report
- The three-part assessment you must use when deciding how to use the results
- The pre-adverse and adverse action processes
- The Civil Rights Department’s complaint process and potential penalties for violations of the Act
NOTE: The information provided in the webinar is as of March 16, 2023
Check back to see upcoming webinars.
Pay Transparency Act : Where Pay and Culture Intersect
Join us to discuss the new California Pay Transparency Act. Presenters include Linda Duffy of Ethos Human Capital Solutions, Kurtis Urien of Merhab Robinson & Clarkson, and special guest Laura Conover of Conover Consulting. We will discuss:
- Which equal pay laws affect your organization
- How the Pay Transparency Act, effective 1/1/23, changes current equal pay laws
- Actions you need to take now to comply
- Best practices for having pay conversations with applicants and employees
- Practical issues and how to address them
- How you can leverage the Pay Transparency Act to build trust with your employees and become an employer of choice
NOTE: The information provided in the webinar is as of January 19, 2023
Check back to see upcoming webinars.
2023 New Employment Laws What Employers Need to Know.
Join Linda Duffy, Ethos Human Capital Solutions, and Kurtis Urien, Merhab Robinson, & Clarkson, Law Corporation to learn about the 2023 Employment Laws that will impact your business. Our discussion will cover: – The New Pay Transparency Act – Bereavement Leave Requirements – Updated Minimum Wage – Requirements under the CA Privacy Rights Act – Updates to Arbitration Agreements – Meal and Rest Period Penalties… and more This presentation is for general information. Please contact your attorney and or HR representative to answer your specific questions.
Updated Jan 25, 2023. Please note there is a discrepancy on slide 11 and in the discussion. You only need to include temp agency data in your reporting if you have 100+ temps, not 100 + employees.
NOTE: The information provided in the webinar is as of December 1, 2022
Check back to see upcoming webinars.
Recorded Webinars - 2021
COVID-19 Vaccines What will your company do?
Every day more Americans become eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. With additional vaccines receiving FDA approval and manufacturing on the increase, eligibility for vaccines may include everyone in the next few months. As an employer, it’s important to be proactive in developing a vaccine policy. The EEOC and DFEH have both stated that employers can mandate COVID-19 vaccines, with a few exceptions. What will your company do?
Join Linda Duffy, Ethos HCS and Kurtis Urien, Merhab Robinson & Clarkson, Law Corporation to learn:
• The pros and cons of making vaccines mandatory
• What reasonable accommodation means and how it’s related to vaccines
• Whether to offer incentives to encourage people to get vaccinated
• How to handle employees who refuse the vaccine
• Whether an employer can require an employee to show proof of getting a vaccine
• Policies and procedures you should have in place before mandating vaccines
• Wage and hour issues related to vaccines
• How vaccines impact current COVID-19 safety protocols
We will provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision for your company.
NOTE: The information provided in the webinar is as of April 8, 2021.
Equal Pay Act: Why We Need to Still Have This Conversation
According to the 2020 update of its annual Gender Pay Gap Report, Payscale found that women earn 81 cents for every dollar earned by a man. This gap grows remarkably when comparing the pay of women of color to white women and men.
Recent studies have also shown that a small percentage of women (less than 10%) negotiate their salary, while over 50% of men report that they negotiate. On average, those who negotiate to increase their salary by 7%. That may not seem like a lot initially, but consider how that difference compounds over time. A person who makes 7% less than their counterpart over the course of a 35-year career will have to work EIGHT. MORE. YEARS. to be as wealthy at retirement. (Source: The Muse).
We are excited to welcome Dawn Knepper, founder of Knepper Law, and an expert in labor and employment law to learn how to ensure your business is in compliance with the equal pay laws. In this webinar, Ms. Knepper will offer perspectives to help you ensure your organization is in compliance with the Equal Pay Act and relevant state/local legal requirements, including California’s stringent requirements.
NOTE: The information provided in the webinar is as of September 17, 2020.
Returning to Work Under the COVID-19 Cloud
Governor Newson announced a gradual re-opening of California businesses effective
May 8th.
In this webinar we discuss:
- Which businesses can re-open?
- What must be done in order to re-open?
- What practical issues do I need to consider including:
- How do I choose which workers to recall if I do not need everyone?
- What new hire paperwork if any, do I need?
- How does recalling employees affect compensation and benefits?
- Can I change someone’s position or pay?
- What safety measures do I need?
- Can I take the temperature of employees?
- What guidelines do I need for 3rd party visitors
- How do I choose which workers to recall if I do not need everyone?
We also will discuss common scenarios and how to handle them, including employees who refuse to return to work, and when an employee tests positive for the virus.
If you are a business owner, key executive, safety professional, or human resources professional, you will want to join us for this important webinar.
NOTE: The information provided in the webinar is as of May 8, 2020.
Retirement Programs in Today's Changing Times
In 2016 the CalSavers Retirement Saving Program was created to ensure that the 7.5 million employees whose employers did not offer a workplace retirement plan had access to a retirement savings program. Employers are required by state law to facilitate CalSavers if they do not offer an employer-sponsored retirement plan and have more than five employees.
Listen to this webinar to learn:
- What the CalSavers program is and the program’s pros and cons
- Important deadlines and requirements for companies with five or more employees in CA to comply with CalSavers
- Alternatives to the CalSavers program and mindful considerations
- The SECURE Act of 2019 to help companies with set-up costs for their private-sector retirement plans and important retirement plan updates
- The CARES Act pertaining to changes to your retirement plans including special filing and funding extension relief
- What are the qualifications, rules and guidelines surrounding the Coronavirus Related Distributions (CRD) and enhanced loan features available to your plan participants
Join Linda Duffy, President Ethos Human Capital Solutions and guests Phuong Jennings, Regional Vice President EVP Economic Group Pension Services, Inc, and Dalia Badajos, Corporate and Executive Retirement Benefit Plan Advisor B360 for this webinar.
This webinar was recorded on May 14, 2020
Employees' Rights & Employer Compliance Under California's New Consumer Privacy Act
The California Consumer Privacy Rights Act (CCPA) took effect on Jan 1, 2020. Employees and contractors are considered “consumers” under the law, so HR professionals need to be equipped to manage California employment requirements under this complex law. Some provisions won’t be enforced until 2021, but there is a lot to do now and in preparation for 2021.
Get a practical update on the CCPA, especially for HR professionals and employers.
Listen to this webinar to learn:
- What is CCPA?
- How employers are directly impacted by CCPA.
- What HR professionals need to do NOW to be compliant.
- Employees’ rights under CCPA.
- Tips on vendors and service providers with whom data is shared.
- Preparing for full enforcement.
Get a checklist for employer compliance.
Join Linda Duffy of Ethos Human Capital Solutions, Marla Merhab Robinson, Esq. of Merhab Robinson, & Clarkson Law Corporation and Linda Zimmer, president MarCom: Interactive and certified privacy protection manager as they discuss these issues:
If you have questions that were not addressed in the webinar please contact Linda Duffy.
This webinar was recorded on February 20, 2020
Sign up for our newsletter to get webinar updates
Recorded Webinars - 2019
New Laws for the New Year 2020
2020 is here! Ringing in the new year also means changes in California and Federal laws that affect employment and your company.
Linda Duffy of Ethos Human Capital Solutions and Marla Merhab Robinson Esq. of Merhab Robinson, & Clarkson Law Corporation discuss:
- Case law that will impact how you do business
- Changes you need to make to your compensation structure and employee handbooks
- New training requirement
If you have questions on anything that is covered in the webinar please reach out to [email protected]
This webinar was recorded on December 5, 2019
Handling No- Match Letters from the Social Security Administration
Employer Correction Request notices or “No-Match” letters are on the rise. We’ve had clients receive notices that as many as 75% of their employees are using social security numbers that don’t match their names. There are many possible reasons for this, but how do you handle it without scaring off your employees or getting in trouble with the government?
Listen to the webinar to understand how to address and resolve the issues raised when receiving this type of notification.
Our presenter for this topic is Monica E. Lukoschek of U.S. Immigration Law, LLP. Ms. Lukoschek along with, Linda Duffy, President of Ethos Human Capital Solutions, and Marla Merhab Robinson, Managing Partner, MRJC.
This webinar was recorded on May 23, 2019
The Biggest Wage & Hour and Payroll Mistakes
Complying with Federal and State payroll legal obligations can be confusing and costly if you make a mistake.
Hear Linda Duffy and Marla Merhab Robinson of Merhab Robinson, Jackson & Clarkson as they discuss the most common payroll mistakes including:
- Misclassifying employees
- Improper deductions
- Complying with both Federal and State laws
This webinar was recorded on March 21, 2019
The Complex Web of Leaves of Absence, Part 2
Between federal laws and California laws, some employers are subject to as many as 23 different leaves of absence laws. Which leaves are paid? Which leaves provide job protection to the employee? How much time is an employee entitled to take under each leave?
Last month we discussed leave laws relating to medical conditions, now it is time to cover the “other” leaves of absences.
Hear Linda Duffy and Marla Merhab Robinson of Merhab Robinson, Jackson & Clarkson discuss:
- Organ & Bone Marrow
- Witness Duty
- Alcohol & Drug Rehabilitation
- Volunteer Firefighter
- Kin-Car
This webinar was recorded on February 14, 2019
Leaves of Absence, Part 1 - Medical Leaves
Managing leaves of absences (LOAs) is one of the most complex areas in human resources. What state and federal laws are triggered when an employee is pregnant? What do you do when an employee is diagnosed with cancer? What if a worker has a family member who is disabled and needs assistance? Perhaps one of your staffers needs time off to heal from a work-related injury. These are just a few of the issues that employers face every day.
Hear Linda Duffy of Ethos Human Capital Solutions and Kurtis Urien with Merhab Robinson, Jackson & Clarkson discuss the interplay among a number of laws like FMLA, CFRA, ADA, FEHA, PDL, and workers’ compensation.
This webinar was recorded on January 17, 2019
Leaves of Absence, Part 1 - Medical Leaves
Managing leaves of absences (LOAs) is one of the most complex areas in human resources. What state and federal laws are triggered when an employee is pregnant? What do you do when an employee is diagnosed with cancer? What if a worker has a family member who is disabled and needs assistance? Perhaps one of your staffers needs time off to heal from a work-related injury. These are just a few of the issues that employers face every day.
Hear Linda Duffy of Ethos Human Capital Solutions and Kurtis Urien with Merhab Robinson, Jackson & Clarkson discuss the interplay among a number of laws like FMLA, CFRA, ADA, FEHA, PDL, and workers’ compensation.
This webinar was recorded on January 17, 2019
New Laws for 2019- What You Need to Know
It is that time of year again when employers are faced with the task of keeping up with the new laws and the never-ending changes to current ones.
Hear Linda Duffy and Kurtis Urien of Merhab Robinson, Jackson & Clarkson as they discuss the upcoming changes and what you will need to do to stay in compliance.
This webinar was recorded on December 13, 2018
Why Can't I Just Pay Everyone a Salary?
You can…but with a hefty price. Misclassification on non-exempt employees as exempt can bring significant costs, including overtime pay, interest, and other penalties- not to mention the attorneys’ costs that will be incurred to defend any lawsuits brought by current or former employees. Exempt classification is a complicated matter, and the rules differ between California and Federal law.
This webinar was recorded on November 8, 2018
The Future of Independent Contractors in California
Earlier this year, the CA Supreme Court published a decision in the case of Dynamex Operations West Inc. v. Superior Court Los Angeles County. In its decision, the Court created a new “ABC” test for determining whether workers should be classified as employees or independent contractors. Not surprisingly, this decision embraced a standard presuming workers are employees, and placed the burden of proof on employers.
This webinar was recorded on September 27, 2018
Job Descriptions: An Employer's Best Friend or Necessary Evil?
Writing job descriptions and keeping them up to date is time-consuming and seemingly never-ending. Are they an employer’s best friend or just a necessary evil?
This webinar was recorded on June 21, 2018
Workplace Violence: Can You Recognize The Warning Signs?
Violence in the Workplace stories have become commonplace in today’s news, and violence can manifest itself in different forms. Do you know how to recognize and handle threatening behavior in your organization?
IWC Orders: What are They and How Do They Apply to My Business?
Linda Duffy and Marla Merhab Robinson, Partner with Merhab Robinson, Jackson & Clarkson discuss how to determine which IWC Order your business is subject to and the vital information you need to be aware of.
#MeToo Sexual Harassment in the Workplace Webinar
The last few months have brought the topic of sexual harassment in the workplace to the forefront of every industry. Linda Duffy and Marla Merhab Robinson, Partner with Merhab Robinson, Jackson & Clarkson discuss what constitutes sexual harassment, your obligations as an employer and how you can balance protecting your company and the employees.
New HR Laws in 2018
This webinar provides an overview of important employment law changes going into effect in California in 2018. We also discuss legal cases that have been or will be decided by the courts and will affect CA employers.
The Dos and Don'ts of Conducting Workplace Investigations
Employers have a legal duty, under both state and federal laws, to take “all reasonable steps” to prevent harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and other unlawful employment practices. An essential part of prevention is how the employer conducts investigations of employee claims of unlawful behavior. To be legally compliant, workplace investigations must be timely, conducted by a competent investigator, effective, and reasonable under the circumstances.
Recognition Basic Training from US Submarine Force: How to Engage, Empower, and Encourage
Linda Duffy of Ethos Human Capital Solutions and Marla Merhab Robinson, Esq. with Merhab Robinson, Jackson & Clarkson welcomed LT Marc Koehler, an Officer in the US Nuclear Submarine Force, to be a guest presenter for this pre-recorded webinar. Marc, who saw sailors go above and beyond in the call of duty, developed a lasting system for improving and sustaining performance through recognition. Not being able to provide monetary rewards, Marc saw the power of recognizing people with words of encouragement, paper awards, ribbons, and medals.
