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For questions on your registration, contact marie.gustafson@boli.oregon.gov or call 971-358-3942

We'll see you for BOLI's 41st Annual Employment Law Conference on 

Thursday and Friday this week (November 6th and 7th). 

BOLI's conference connects employers with resources for navigating complex and often changing workplace rules.

Our 41st annual event will include sessions on the topics that concern Oregon employers the most.

This year's conference will be 100% virtual.

One price for the whole event: $350.

Can't make a session? Attendees will have access to recorded sessions shortly after the event.

HRCI, SHRM, and CLE recertification credit approval pending.


Registration for 2025 Has Closed

Download a PDF of the agenda, showing session dates and times*

From Paychecks to Paid Leave and Strict Liability for Your Subcontractor’s Wage Violations: A Legislative Update on Oregon’s 2025 Employment Law Overhaul

Session Description

This year, Oregon enacted several changes to its employment laws, reshaping everything from paycheck transparency to expanded paid leave and unemployment benefits. Oregon also passed a law imposing strict joint and several liability on property owners and contractors for the wage theft violations of their subcontractors. This presentation will unpack the legislative updates that employers need to be aware of—including new disclosure requirements, leave eligibility expansions, and protections for striking workers—and explore what they mean for HR professionals and other organization leaders. Littler Mendelson attorneys Paul Cirner and Christine Sargent will provide practical insights to ensure compliance and confidently navigate Oregon’s evolving labor landscape. 

​​Speaker​s

Christine Sargent​ and Paul Cirner Littler Mendelson P.C.​

Christine Sargent and Paul Cirner are attorneys in Littler Mendelson's Portland, Oregon office, representing employers in all aspects of employment law.​

Engaging With Respect: The Importance of Civil Conversations

Session Description

Incivility in the workplace has become a growing challenge. Offensive actions, impolite language, and outright rudeness aren’t confined to social media—they’re showing up in our offices, meetings, and day-to-day interactions. According to research from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), two out of three U.S. workers have experienced or witnessed workplace incivility within the past month.

This session will empower you with tools and techniques to engage in civil dialogue, fostering a culture of trust, inclusivity, and collaboration. A respectful workplace isn’t just good for morale—it drives productivity, enhances retention, and builds stronger teams.

​In this session, you will learn how to:
  • Recognize the warning signs of incivility before they escalate.
  • Apply active listening skills to create stronger, more positive interactions.
  • Use empathy and thoughtful communication techniques to improve workplace dynamics.
  • Use strategies like the "Yes, and" method to encourage collaboration and build consensus.

​Speaker​

Deborah Jeffries SHRM-CP, PHR, CPC, Vice President for HR Answers Inc.

Deborah Jeffries brings over 40 years of HR and training experience to her role as Vice President at HR Answers. A dynamic facilitator and certified HR professional, she specializes in leadership development, compliance, communication, and workplace culture. Her engaging, practical approach helps individuals and teams build confidence, improve performance, and navigate change with integrity. Deborah has taught HR courses at multiple universities, prepared students for SHRM certification, and served in SHRM leadership roles. Known for her humor, insight, and energy, she inspires professionals to reflect, grow, and lead with purpose.​​ 

The Reality of Protected Leave in the Workplace

Session Description

As the pace of legislative changes to Paid Leave Oregon and the Oregon Family Leave Act begins to slow, it's time to rediscover your rhythm for administering protected leaves!

Targeted toward those familiar with the basic contours of the Oregon sick time law, the Oregon Family Leave Act (OFLA), the Federal Family Leave Act (FMLA), and the Paid Leave Oregon program, this presentation will offer up several common scenarios as opportunities to unpack best practices for disentangling protected leave entitlements and navigating leave administration.

Join Joseph and Karlee for an interactive look at how to divide and conquer protected leaves in 2025 and keep your sanity too! ​​

​Speakers​​

​Joseph Tam Employer Assistance, BOLI

Joseph Tam is a Learning and Development Specialist with the Employer Assistance team and a former Senior Civil Rights Investigator with the Civil Rights Division of the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries.  He has been working for the agency for about 40 years. He is a graduate of Ricks College, Rexburg, Idaho and Portland State University. He has been co-presenting with the Oregon Employment Department on Paid Leave Oregon throughout Oregon since 2023. He conducts in-person seminars and webinars on Oregon Family Leave Act (OFLA), federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Oregon Sick Time Law, Legal Hiring Practices, Effective Supervisory Practices, Documentation, Discipline and Discharge, Workplace Harassment and Discrimination, Life of a Workers' Compensation Claim, Injured Workers Laws, Disability Laws, Workplace Accommodations Issues, Wage and Hour Laws, Payroll Issues, Dealing with Difficult Employees, Drug and Alcohol Issues in the Workplace, etc.. He is known to make the Recordkeeping seminar “interesting." He has regularly presented in BOLI's Annual Employment Law Conference since 2007. In the 2022 conference, he presented “How to track OFLA, FMLA, and Paid Leave Oregon in 2023." An Oregon employment law attorney wrote, “I watched your video yesterday from the Annual Conference and found your presentation on OFMLI/OFLA/FMLA imminently helpful and entertaining!".​

Karlee Demos​ Employer Assistance, BOLI

Karlee Demos is an Operations and Policy Analyst with the State of Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries. She works in a dual role with the Employer Assistance Team and the Apprenticeship and Training Division as a trainer and apprenticeship specialist.

She is a graduate of Oregon State University with a degree in Public Health and currently resides in eastern Oregon where she can meet with individuals, employers, and organizations to discuss employment law best practices and apprenticeship maintenance or development. In her free time, she likes to run, read, and hike with her twin daughters, husband and dog Lola.


Case Law Update 2025

Session Description

Back by popular demand, this session will cover recent case law and legislative updates on the Oregon and national level that may have an impact on employers, and will offer key takeaways for how employers, managers, and human resources personnel can avoid potential compliance pitfalls.​

​Speakers​

Anthony D. Kuchulis Dunn Carney LL​P

​​Anthony D. Kuchulis is an attorney at Dunn Carney LLP where he focuses his practice on helping employers and management solve difficult employment questions and challenges. Anthony prides himself on being a partner to his business clients and an experienced legal consultant who examines all aspects of a challenge for the most expeditious solution. With over a decade of trial experience, Anthony has represented employers and businesses in the northwest and across the country of all sizes, on all matters, including trying cases to juries, arbitrators, and judges, as well as defending businesses and management from state and federal labor department complaints, including OSHA, BOLI, WISHA, DOL, EEOC (and more). Anthony is known for his creative litigation strategies and often unconventional advice work that includes an analysis of all legal and nonlegal options available to ensure the best possible outcome to the most complex problems. ​

Cristin Casey​ Buchanan Angeli Altschul & Sullivan LLP

​Cristin has over 15 years experience litigating and advising on employment law issues including wage and hour, leave laws, employment discrimination, harassment, whistleblowing and retaliation, disability and reasonable accommodation. Cristin also has conducted workplace investigations and trainings. Cristin currently serves as the co-chair BOLI Oregon Employer Advisory Council.

Cristin joined the firm as Of Counsel in 2025. Before entering private practice in 2022 with the law firm Littler Mendelson, Cristin spent over a decade working for the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI), her last five years serving as BOLI’s chief prosecutor. ​​

​

Conducting Effective Workplace Investigations: From Allegation to Resolution

Session Description

As workplace investigations become more frequent and scrutinized, the stakes for getting them right have never been higher. In this session, seasoned panelists will share practical insights from the trenches, guiding attendees through critical decisions such as choosing the right investigator, determining when to bring in outside counsel or other third parties, and managing privilege and confidentiality. 

​Speakers​

Brenda Baumgart Stoel Rives LLP  

Brenda Baumgart has over 25 years of experience, is a partner at Stoel Rives and the practice group leader for the firm’s Labor & Employment group. She is known for and is sought after to handle sensitive workplace investigations and has significant experience as an independent investigator, in both the private and public sector, involving allegations of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation based on race, gender, age, family medical leave, as well as sexual assault.

Melissa Healy Stoel Rives LLP 

Melissa (Missy) Healy is a partner at Stoel Rives and serves as lead counsel in numerous complex labor and employment litigation matters and is frequently engaged to conduct high-stakes investigations for public and private sector clients, covering a breadth of topics.​

Leave Math 101: Eligibility, Entitlement, and Everything In Between

Session Description

This session will explore the evolving and increasingly complex landscape of Oregon’s leave laws, with a focus on the interplay between Paid Leave Oregon (PLO), the Oregon Family Leave Act (OFLA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and Oregon’s Paid Sick Leave. In addition to unpacking eligibility and entitlement rules, we’ll dive into the operational side of leave management—specifically, the challenges of accurately tracking leave across multiple programs with differing rules and timelines. Participants will gain insights into how to manage non-concurrent leave, coordinate overlapping requests, and maintain compliance through effective tracking systems and practices. Whether you're navigating full-day increments, intermittent leave, or stacking scenarios, this session will equip you with the tools to track and calculate leave with confidence.

Employers need to understand leave calculations to ensure compliance with state and federal laws, avoid costly penalties, and maintain employee trust. Accurate calculations help determine how much leave an employee is entitled to, when it can be used, and how it interacts with other types of leave, especially under complex leave law frameworks. Missteps in leave tracking can lead to legal disputes, payroll errors, and operational disruptions, particularly when managing overlapping or intermittent leave. By mastering leave calculations, employers can create fair, consistent policies that support both business continuity and employee well-being.​​

​Speaker​s

Lori Welty Senior Vice President, Product Compliance, FINEOS 

Lori Welty, Esq., an industry expert in state, federal, and local paid and unpaid leave and disability laws, serves as Senior Vice President, Product Compliance at FINEOS. She is a frequent author and presenter on topics relating to leave of absence and disability. Ms. Welty has advised clients in employment law for over 20 years and has specialized in absence management and disability since 2012. Licensed to practice law in Colorado, she graduated from the University of Colorado School of Law as an Order of the Coif candidate, and she received her undergraduate degree from Johns Hopkins University. 

Patricia Lauren Zuniga IDAM Compliance Manager, FINEOS 

Patricia Lauren Zuniga is an IDAM Compliance Manager at FINEOS, providing compliance support to the IDAM (Integrated Disability and Absence Management) product. Trish serves as a subject matter expert for leave laws and regulations such as FMLA, USERRA and state PFML. She graduated with law degrees from The George Washington University Law School and the Ateneo de Manila University School of Law, and earned the professional leave management designation of CLMS from DMEC in 2018.​


Navigating DEI Uncertainty in Today’s World

Session Description

The evolving legal landscape surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) enforcement has introduced substantial uncertainty for employers and challenges the legality and structure of many corporate DEI initiatives. This session will discuss how the method of delivery must now be filtered through a compliance-first lens and structured to withstand legal scrutiny.    

​Speaker

Brent Hamilton Stoel Rives LLP

Brent Hamilton represents employers in high-stakes employment disputes and counsels them regarding complex and emerging laws. He defends employers in litigation, including discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and breach of contract claims. He also defends employers in connection with audits and investigations by state and federal agencies, including the Oregon Bureau of Labor & Industries (BOLI), Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I), and U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) and Wage and Hour Division (WHD). Brent's clients include public and private employers in the healthcare, education, agriculture, retail, manufacturing, and technology sectors.

While attending law school, Brent was a law clerk with the Oregon Department of Justice, Trial Division.  Brent previously practiced at regional and national firms, working with clients of all sizes in a broad range of industries.​

 ​ ​


Breaking Up Is Hard To Do: Termination

Session Description

One of the toughest things an employer will ever have to do is to terminate one of its employees. This session will discuss potential problems and best practices on how to prepare for and carry out an involuntary discharge.

​Speaker​

Clarence Belnavis Fisher Phillips​ LLP

​Clarence Belnavis is the regional managing partner of Fisher Phillips’ Portland office and a partner in the Seattle office. He is a trial attorney focusing on employment litigation, including disability, racial and gender discrimination, retaliation, sexual harassment, and wrongful discharge. Clarence also represents employers in wage and hour claims, employment class actions, and traditional labor matters.

In addition to his litigation practice, Clarence proactively advises clients with respect to labor and employment matters, including disability and return to work issues, employee handbooks, termination procedures and litigation avoidance. Clarence also provides client trainings and educational presentations to industry groups and organizations regarding current and developing employment law issues.​

Navigating Discrimination and Immigration Enforcement: A Panel Discussion

Session Description

​​What are an employer's obligations when they receive notice of an I-9 audit? What should an employer do in advance of and during an ICE raid? How can employers meet federal work eligibility requirements without violating Oregon's anti-discrimination protections? What should employers know about the state's sanctuary promise law?

Join BOLI immigration law experts and compliance specialists for a panel discussion of what employers can do to prepare for – and respond to – increased immigration enforcement in Oregon.

​Panelists

Jeff Burgess Employer Assistance, BOLI​

Jeff received his underg​raduate degrees in Business Economics and Law and Society from the University of California at Santa Barbara where he was a Scottish Rite scholar. He went on to law school at the University of Mississippi and practiced law in California and Colorado for 15 years, focusing on litigation. He joined the Bureau of Labor and Industries in 2002 where he was an agency prosecutor for 7 years, taking civil rights and wage and hour cases to administrative hearing. In 2009 he joined the Employer ​Assistance Division where he teaches seminars, edits handbooks and answers inquiries about employment law for business owners, managers, human resources professionals and attorneys. Jeff lives in McMinnville with his wife Tiffany and various critters.​​​

Ari Alves Clear Clinic

Bio coming soon.

Ron Guerra Innova Legal Advisors

Ronald G. Guerra brings a unique and diverse background to representing clients in employment and labor relations matters.  Ron is a frequent speaker, writer and trainer on employment and immigration reform and compliance issues.  Ron represents clients in federal and state courts and before federal and state administrative agencies, including the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the National Labor Relations Board,​​ and the U.S. Department of Labor.  Prior to obtaining his legal education, Ron worked eleven years for the Whirlpool Corporation in various business management positions and was an Associate Professor of Management for Davenport University.​

Leila Wall Civil Rights Division, BOLI

Leila Wall is a senior policy analyst in the Civil Rights Division at BOLI, which enforces laws related to discrimination in employment, housing, places of public accommodation, and vocational schools. Leila has worked for BOLI Civil Rights in various roles, including service as the Administrator, since 2016.​​

Leila received her juris doctorate from Lewis and Clark Northwestern School of Law. During law school, Leila studied employment law, spending her final year of law school as a law clerk with the Northwest Workers’ Justice Project and completing her capstone research project on whistleblower retaliation under ORS 659A.199.​

Panel Moderator

Charlie Burr Employer Assistance, BOLI​

Charlie Burr works as a Learning and Development Specialist for BOLI's Employer Assistance Division, where he helps businesses large and small navigate frequently complex workplace requirements. Previously, Burr served as BOLI’s public information officer for five years, providing communications support for the agency’s legislative agenda and enforcement initiatives. Burr lives in northeast Portland with his wife Libby, daughters Marigny and Shelby, and dog Diamond.​


Legal Hiring

Session Description

Done right, hiring can be a fair and rewarding process that results in a promising new hire. Handled incorrectly, however, your hiring processes can open the door to discrimination claims. Come get practical guidance from a seasoned employment attorney on legally compliant hiring practices.  Attendees will learn how to navigate anti-discrimination laws, structure job postings and interviews to avoid legal pitfalls, and implement fair screening and selection procedures. The session will cover federal and state requirements, including those related to background checks, immigration verification, and accommodations. Are you sure your job application is legally compliant? Are your managers avoiding asking candidates interview questions that violate the law? Are you administering pre-employment tests and running your background/reference checks the right way? Do you know how to close the deal and make an offer to your best candidate without running afoul of those pesky employment laws? If you aren’t sure, “yes” is the answer to all of those questions. Come​ brush up on legally compliant hiring practices. 

​Speaker

Joy Ellis Foster Garvey PC

​​Joy Ellis works with employers in all aspects of their employment-related legal needs, including answering day-to-day questions about discipline, discrimination, and harassment, leave laws, accommodations, hiring, and termination; developing and updating employee handbooks (whoo-hoo!); and drafting non-competition agreements, executive employment contracts, and severance agreements. She conducts on-site training for employees on how to prevent harassment and maintain a respectful workplace. Joy also conducts workplace investigations as an independent investigator. In addition to her advice practice, Joy is a litigator who defends employers; she has successfully handled hundreds of BOLI and EEOC complaints and regularly defends lawsuits in Oregon and Washington courts. 

Oregon Pay Equity is Not Market Equity

Session Description

This session will help you understand the difference between using market data to stay competitive and ensuring your internal pay practices align with state law. We’ll focus on practical steps to evaluate your organization’s internal compensation practices, make informed adjustments, and maintain consistency over time. Participants will learn how to assess jobs using compensable factors, explain pay decisions clearly, and avoid common pitfalls that can lead to inequities. Whether you’re new to compensation or refining your current practices, this session offers real-world strategies to help you apply the law while still navigating the realities of recruitment and retention.

Speaker​

Laurie Grenya President, HR Answers

Laurie Grenya is President of HR Answers, Inc. and a trusted expert in human resources with more than 20 years of experience. She leads a consulting team focused on classification, compensation, compliance, and practical HR support. Known for her no-nonsense, human-first approach, Laurie brings clarity and humor to even the most complex HR topics. ​

Managing Risk and Response in Disability Accommodations

Session Description

As disability-related claims continue to increase, employers face growing pressure to ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This session will examine nuanced accommodation scenarios, offering clarity on how “disability” is interpreted under the law and what constitutes a reasonable accommodation. We will cover actionable best practices to ensure compliance with the ADA and minimize the risk of litigation. ​

​Speakers

Laura Rosenbaum Stoel Rives LLP

Laura Rosenbaum is a partner at Stoel Rives. She is a highly experienced labor and employment law attorney who is particularly well versed in handling complex ADA matters. 

Megan Bradford Stoel Rives LLP

Megan Bradford is a trial lawyer at Stoel Rives who focuses her practice on employment disputes and litigation.

Together, Laura and Megan have significant experience counseling clients on disability accommodations and fit-for-duty matters.​

​

The Secret Life of a BOLI Civil Rights Complaint

Session Description

This session will cover an in-depth inside look at the BOLI Civil Rights Division complaint process. We’ll offer tips and tricks for communicating with investigators, drafting positions statements, navigating investigations, and handling the “dreaded” finding of substantial evidence of a violation.​

​Speakers​

Michael Wood Civil Rights Division, BOLI

Michael Wood is an experienced leader and regulator, with four decades of experience in both Washington and Oregon state government in a range of capacities. His career includes more than 25 years as a safety and health regulator, including 16 years as the Administrator of Oregon OSHA. After leaving Oregon OSHA in the fall of 2021, he returned to Washington to work as the chief deputy to the elected Washington Insurance Commissioner for nearly three years before joining BOLI Civil Rights, where he now serves as the Administrator, in July of 2024. A native of Southwest Washington, he graduated from Spokane’s Gonzaga University long enough ago that only a few people had heard of its basketball team!​

Leila Wall Civil Rights Division, BOLI

Leila Wall is a senior policy analyst in the Civil Rights Division at BOLI, which enforces laws related to discrimination in employment, housing, places of public accommodation, and vocational schools. Leila has worked for BOLI Civil Rights in various roles, including service as the Administrator, since 2016.​​

Leila received her juris doctorate from Lewis and Clark Northwestern School of Law. During law school, Leila studied employment law, spending her final year of law school as a law clerk with the Northwest Workers’ Justice Project and completing her capstone research project on whistleblower retaliation under ORS 659A.199.




Defensible Discipline & Documentation

Session Description

This session, led by an experienced employment attorney, provides employers with practical guidance on managing and documenting employee performance and behavior in a constructive and legally defensible manner. Attendees will learn best practices for issuing discipline while minimizing legal risk. The session emphasizes the importance of consistency, objectivity, and clear communication throughout the employment relationship. Employers will come away with actionable tools to strengthen their internal processes and protect their organization. Specific issues that will be covered in this workshop include:

  • Why you want to act like you’re a “just cause” employer even when you are an “at-will” employer 
  • When to utilize progressive discipline  
  • Mastering the art of documentation – why, when, and how
  • How to correct poor performance or problematic behavior and get the improvement you want, not just paper the file 

Speaker​

Joy Ellis Foster Garvey PC ​​

Joy Ellis works with employers in all aspects of their employment-related legal needs, including answering day-to-day questions about discipline, discrimination and harassment, leave laws, accommodations, hiring, and termination; developing and updating employee handbooks (whoo-hoo!); and drafting non-competition agreements, executive employment contracts, and severance agreements. She conducts on-site training for employees on how to prevent harassment and maintain a respectful workplace. Joy also conducts workplace investigations as an independent investigator. In addition to her advice practice, Joy is a litigator who defends employers; she has successfully handled hundreds of BOLI and EEOC complaints, and she regularly defends lawsuits in Oregon and Washington courts. ​

Religious Accommodation Claims

Session Description

Following the 2023 US Supreme Court ruling in Groff v. DeJoy, the landscape changed for employers evaluating religious accommodation requests.  The de minimis standard is gone, and employers must accommodate requests unless they would create a substantial burden for the employer, judged in the context of the employer's operations.  This change is especially important, given the public's increased understanding of and willingness to make religious accommodation claims, post-COVID.  The courts are currently full of such cases related to COVID era vaccine mandates, and the case law is newly developing.  We will review these issues and offer guidance for employers navigating the changing landscape.​

Speakers

Sarah Benedict Davis Wright Tremaine

Sarah Benedict is an employment litigation partner at Davis Wright Tremaine with over 15 years of experience defending employers.  Sarah maintains a busy trial court practice in Oregon, Washington, and California. She thrives in the courtroom and has first-chaired jury trials in both state and federal court.  


Olivia Munson Davis Wright Tremaine

Olivia Munson is an attorney specializing in employment law issues including harassment, discrimination, and retaliation. She has experience litigating both single-plaintiff cases and large class action-style enforcement actions involving the EEOC and state agencies. Olivia has also advised clients on state and federal compliance when it comes to employee handbooks, workplace policies, and training materials.

Sarah and Olivia have worked together on over a dozen religious discrimination cases.​​

Human Resource Records Management 101

Session Description

This session will cover the following:  What is HR records management? Benefits of creating an HR record management system. Setting up an HR management system. What are the different types of HR records?​​    ​   ​     

Speaker

Anna Lee Senior Consultant, HR Answers

Anna Lee is a Senior Consultant with HR Answers, Inc. and has over 20 years of human resources experience in leadership roles with governmental, profit and non-profit agencies.  Her previous experience in a variety of disciplines and work environments provides her with a global HR perspective. Anna is a Senior Certified Human Resource Professional with Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM-SCP) as well as Senior Certified Human Resource Professional with International Public Management for Human Resources (PSHRA-SCP).  She has served for five years on the PSHRA Oregon Chapter Board including a term as President and Vice President.  She serves as a volunteer for Oregon Child Development Coalition and other community organizations.​

Creating Safe Spaces: Best Practices for Workplace Violence Prevention and Response

Session Description

We all hope it doesn’t happen, but workplace violence is a safety and legal concern for employers across industries. This session will address an employer’s legal responsibilities in preventing and responding to incidents, including proactive policies, threat assessment strategies, and post-incident response protocols.

​Speaker

Jean Back Schwabe

​​Jean Back is a management-sided employment lawyer with Schwabe and has practiced in the areas of Labor and Employment and General Litigation in Oregon, Washington for over 30 years. Ms. Back’s practice is split between providing employment advice to company owners, managers, and Human Resources professionals, performing internal investigations, providing employee and manager training, and in representing companies in lawsuits involving all aspects of employment grievances, including discrimination, retaliation, wrongful discharge, wage claims, and lawsuits related to non -competition agreements and protection of trade secrets.

​Ms. Back is on the Boards for the Oregon Manufacturing Extension Partnership (“OMEP”) and the SW WA SHRM chapter and has been a regular speaker to Oregon and Washington employers on a variety of employment topics.​


Wage and Hour Law: Scenarios, Top Tips, and Compliance Best Practices

Session Description

This fast-paced seminar will cover the top wage and hour concerns Oregon employers encounter. Do final paychecks, rest and meal periods, and unauthorized overtime come to mind? Come ready to consider real workplace scenarios, discuss best practices, and ask BOLI's Employer Assistance trainers your specific wage and hour questions. ​​

​Speakers​​​

Chet Nakada Employer Assistance, BOLI​

Chet Nakada is a Learning and Development Specialist with the State of Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries Employer Assistance Division. He started with the Agency in 1995. He conducts employer seminars and helps employers comply with Oregon's Wage and Hour and Civil Rights Laws. Before working for Employer Assistance, he was a Senior Civil Rights Investigator and prosecuted cases for the Agency in the Administrative Prosecution Unit.​​

Jessica Sandrock Employer Assistance, BOLI​

Jess is a Learning and Development Specialist for Oregon's Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI). She is currently working a job rotation with BOLI's Employer Assistance Team. Before starting her job rotation, Jess worked with BOLI's Agricultural Compliance and Education (ACE) Unit. Her work focuses on providing outreach and serving as an educational resource for employers statewide. Before joining BOLI, Jess worked as an instructor, coordinator, and administrator in higher education.  ​


When Words Define Work: How Job Descriptions Drive Claims, Accommodations, Reemployment, and More

​Session Description

Job descriptions: we all have them, but when was the last time you really considered and updated them? As employers grapple with an increasing number of obligations to their employees under the law, job descriptions have become a particularly relevant tool in ways that are often overlooked. In this presentation,  Reinisch Wilson Senior Associate Lorrie Spencer will discuss why an accurate job description is particularly important in workers’ compensation situations, covering topics including occupational disease claims, vocational retraining, time loss mitigation, and claim closure and rating impairment. Barran Liebman partner Wilson Jarrell will then discuss the importance of accurate job descriptions in a broader employment law context, covering considerations and best practices related to disability accommodations, hiring, pay equity, and reinstatement/reemployment rights.​​

​Speakers​

Lorrie Spencer Reinisch Wilson

Lorrie Heape Spencer is a senior litigation attorney in the Oregon workers’ compensation practice group. Prior to joining Reinisch Wilson PC in 2021, Lorrie was a litigator in the public sector then practiced workers’ compensation defense in Honolulu, Hawaii.  Lorrie has defended her respective clients in dozens of jury trials, bench trials, and Hearings.

Lorrie, a native of the Chicago suburbs, received her bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University before receiving her Juris Doctor from the University of Oregon School of Law. There, she was an Executive Editor of the Journal of Environmental Law and Litigation. While in law school, Lorrie clerked at the Oregon Department of Justice and Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office gaining valuable experience researching, writing, litigating, and negotiating complex cases as well as providing advice to clients.


Wilson Jarrell Barran Liebman

Wilson is a partner at his firm.  He advises and represents employers, management, and higher education institutions on a wide range of employment issues. He proactively counsels management in developing effective workplace policies, and works closely with clients to ensure satisfactory resolution when the need for litigation arises. He is a senior litigation attorney in the Oregon workers’ compensation practice group at his firm.  He represents and advises employers, insurers, and third party administrators in workers' compensation cases.​

 ​

Legal, Practical, Empathetic: The Changing Landscape of Pregnancy Accommodations

​Session Description

Pregnancy-related accommodation laws are evolving, and employers must be prepared to respond appropriately and empathetically to employee needs while ensuring compliance. This session will provide an up-to-date overview of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and other key federal and state requirements impacting accommodations for pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions. Through real-world scenarios attendees will learn about what the laws require and best practices for making accommodations. 

​Speaker​

Jean Back Schwabe 

Jean Back is a management-sided employment lawyer with Schwabe and has practiced in the areas of Labor and Employment and General Litigation in Oregon, Washington for over 30 years. Ms. Back’s practice is split between providing employment advice to company owners, managers, and Human Resources professionals, performing internal investigations, providing employee and manager training, and in representing companies in lawsuits involving all aspects of employment grievances, including discrimination, retaliation, wrongful discharge, wage claims, and lawsuits related to non -competition agreements and protection of trade secrets.

Ms. Back is on the Boards for the Oregon Manufacturing Extension Partnership (“OMEP”) and the SW WA SHRM chapter and has been a regular speaker to Oregon and Washington employers on a variety of employment topics.​

​

A Contractor, a Manager and an Employee Walk into a Bar...Am I Liable? How to Properly Classify Employees vs. Independent Contractors or Exempt vs. Nonexempt employees

​Session Description

When it has work to be performed, a company must first answer the foundational question: is this worker an employee or an independent contractor? This session will start with addressing that basic divide and address why companies need to be clear on the status of their workers before troubles arise. Then, we will turn to the next common question a company must confront: is the employee exempt or non-exempt? We will dive into the salary and duties tests to help attendees create job positions that serve their needs while avoiding wage and hour issues. ​ 

​​Speaker​s

Rebecca Watkins SBH Legal

In 2004, Rebecca joined SBH Legal; she is now a partner of the firm. Rebecca represents employers and insurers in civil litigation and workers’ compensation disputes. She defends clients before agencies such as the EEOC, BOLI, and the Workers’ Compensation Board, and before state and federal courts in Oregon and Washington.

Rebecca also manages the appellate department at SBH Legal. In addition to litigation, Rebecca enjoys consulting with employers on difficult employment decisions to help them avoid lawsuits. She regularly provides training for employers and HR professionals. Prior to beginning her law career, Rebecca worked in the cognitive research field, and with individuals with developmental and behavioral disabilities​

​

Virtual Table Talks with State Agencies

Session Description

Meet with state agencies to learn more about what employer resources are available to Oregon businesses. Each agency will provide an overview of employer services and provide tips for employers to get the resources they need. You won’t want to miss these information packed sessions with state agencies! Community Q&A will follow.  ​​ 

Agencies

Oregon Department of Revenue (ODR), Withholding and Payroll Outreach 
The primary function of the outreach events is to offer educational information and presentations on various topics to small business, associations, tax preparers, and more. Our outreach partners with private sector and government agencies at the local, state, and federal levels to best reach those who can benefit from increased knowledge and understanding regarding Oregon payroll withholding taxes and transit programs.  
Presenter: Chris Cox, Oregon Department of Revenue (DOR) 

Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) 
VR’s Workforce team provides consultation, training, and resources to business regarding disability in the workplace, and assists business in connecting with skilled talent to fill workforce needs. 
Presenter: Kim Copeland, Statewide Workforce and Business Coordinator 

Oregon Employment Department (OED), Paid Leave Oregon 
Paid Leave Oregon is a new program that ensures individuals, employers, and families of every kind have the time and support they need to care for themselves and their loved ones when they need it most.
Presenter: Meghan Wysong, Program Analyst

Oregon Employment Department (OED), Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) 
WOTC is a federal tax incentive that issues tax credits to employers ranging from $1500 up to $9600 for every new hire meeting criterion for any of 14 specified categories. 
Presenter: Kathleen James, WOTC & Federal Bonding Program Coordinator 

Oregon Employment Department (OED), Federal Bonding  
Federal Bonding provides employers with fidelity bonds worth $5,000-$25,000 of protection against fraudulent or dishonest actions of a qualifying employee for the first 6 months of employment. 
Presenter: Kathleen James, WOTC & Federal Bonding Program Coordinator 

Oregon Employment Department (OED) Veterans Program 
OEDs Veterans Program assists employers to RECRUIT, HIRE, and RETAIN veterans. 
Presenter: Jerry Flores, LVER 

U.S. Department of Labor, Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (DOL VETS) 
DOL VETS provides resources to employers to understand employment and reemployment rights for servicemembers under USERRA. DOL VETS helps employers find service members, veterans, and military spouses, and offers HIRE Vets Medallion Award. 
Presenter: Eddie Abrams, Assistant Director (Oregon) 

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) 
ESGR, a Department of Defense office, promotes cooperation and understanding between Reserve Component Service members and their civilian employers and assists in the resolution of conflicts arising from an employee's military commitment. 
Presenter: Greg Malkasian, Oregon ESGR 

Small Business Ombudsman with the Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS) 
The Office of the Small Business Ombudsman for Workers' Compensation serves as an independent advocate for small businesses, entrepreneurs, and the professional advisers who serve them. 
Presenter: Caitlin Breitbach, Small Business Ombudsman for Workers’ Compensation

Workers Compensation Division, Preferred Worker Program (PWP)/ Workers Compensation Division, Employer-at-Injury Program (EAIP) 
The Preferred Worker Program helps qualified Oregon workers who have permanent restrictions from on-the-job injuries who are not able to return to their regular employment because of those injuries. EAIP encourages the early return to work of injured workers by helping to lower employer’s early return-to-work costs.  
Presenter: Zoe Tacadena, Reemployment Specialist 

Oregon State Treasury, OregonSaves 
OregonSaves is Oregon’s retirement savings program designed to give employers a simple way to help their employees save for retirement. There are no employer fees and administering the program is quick and easy. 
Presenter: Renzo Meza, Program Manager 
 
Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) 
ODHS has workforce development assistance programs, such as subsidized wages, unpaid workers, healthcare, and child care assistance, as well as a tax credit that many people in our programs help employers to qualify for. 
Presenter: Greg Ivers, State Business Outreach Coordinator 

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* Agenda and topics subject to change.