Topic:  Discrimination, Retaliation & Harassment in the workpalce

 This session addresses compliance and risk management by exploring new cases, regulatory interpretation, and agency and legislative efforts aimed at expanding protection of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in the workplace.

After this session, an attendee should be able to:

• Recognize potential claims of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation;
• Limit employer liability of discrimination and harassment through appropriate proactive measures, proper investigation, and appropriate response;
• Understand and identify the legal ramification and impact of retaliation; and
• Plan for policy development and emerging trends 

Presenter:   Attorney Mark Addington (www.Addingtonlaw.com)  

  Mark A. Addington focuses his practice primarily on employment litigation, including contractual disputes, restrictive covenants, defense of wage and hour, harassment, retaliatory discharge, disability, age, religion, race, and sex discrimination. He has also responded to charges of discrimination or governmental audits conducted by federal, state and local administrative agencies. He counsels employers in problem prevention, employee discipline, termination, employment discrimination and harassment.

Mark also assists employers in handling internal investigations. Prior to entering law school, Mark worked extensively in operations, training, and human resources for large hospitality organizations. Mark has experience in policy development, compliance reviews, and management and employee training.  

  Mark conducts employment law seminars and training programs for his clients and the community. He is a frequent speaker and lecturer at statewide conferences and seminars such as HR Florida and the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Show. He has given presentations on various topics such as workplace technology issues, military leave, disciplinary documentation, job interviews, the Family Medical Leave Act, and wage and hour law compliance. He is a frequent guest columnist for the Jacksonville Business Journal as well as other publications.     

In addition to his legal practice, Mark is certified by the Florida Supreme Court as a Circuit Civil Mediator. Mark mediates in matters concerning business disputes, restrictive covenants, employment discrimination, employment disputes, labor-management disputes, private employment contracts, class actions, and tort claims.       

*This program has been submitted for 1 (General) recertification credit hours toward PHR, SPHR and GPHR recertification through the HR Certification Institute.  For more information about certification or recertification, please visit the HR Certification Institute website at www.hrci.org