Originally presented on June 3, 2009
10:30 a.m. to Noon (Pacific)

Order Option       Price   CD Recording Only       $219

Most employees are honest—but some are not. And, invariably, it's those few bad apples who ruin it for everyone else. You probably have at least one person who's tried to "work the system" when it comes to FMLA/CFRA leave—and if you haven't yet, you will.

Some effective tactics for thwarting abuses include calculating time off using a rolling 12-month period, making workers use all paid leave before taking unpaid medical leave, and requiring the return of medical certifications within a set period of time. Some employers are afraid to implement these steps for fear of violating the law themselves, but there's nothing wrong with holding workers accountable for unexplained, undocumented, or under-documented absences. You just need to make sure you're going about it the right way.

Join us on June 3 for an in-depth 90-minute audio conference all about how to nip family leave abuses in the bud. Our experts—two seasoned California employment law attorneys—will show you how to use medical certifications and re-certifications to your advantage when abuse is suspected. Also, they'll explain how the recent changes to FMLA may actually help you gain an upper hand when an employee is working the system. You'll learn:

• The type of notice workers must provide when they exercise their family leave rights
• How to spot someone who may be working the system
• What impact the DOL's recently enacted regs could have on your ability to curb potential abuse
• How to ensure that workers comply with FMLA/CFRA notice requirements, and the legal traps that could arise if you don't tread carefully
• The time line and game plan for requesting medical certifications and re-certifications, as well as second and third opinions under FMLA/CFRA
• Whether the common cold is ever a qualifying medical condition—and how a worker's failure to obtain continuing treatment could work to your advantage
• How to draft your attendance policy in a way that allows you to take disciplinary action against workers who don't provide adequate documentation for repeated absences
• The legal limits on forcing use of paid time off, including sick leave and vacation, while on FMLA/CFRA leave

About Your Speakers:

Talar M. Herculian, Esq. is a partner in the Irvine office of Fisher & Phillips, LLP. She devotes her time exclusively to the representation of management in employment disputes before state and federal tribunals. Herculian also regularly advises employers regarding preventive measures and has presented several seminars to clients regarding various employment related topics, including sexual harassment, family and medical leave, disability accommodations and hiring/firing practices. She also has past experience at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Christina M. Kotowski, Esq. is Of Counsel at the San Francisco office of Fisher & Phillips, LLP. Her practice includes advising employers and Human Resources professionals on disability and family medical leave issues under state and federal law, as well as defending related litigation.

This program has been approved for 1.5 recertification credit hours toward PHR and SPHR recertification through the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI). This program is also a California-specific continuing education activity for PHR-CA and SPHR-CA recertification. For more information about certification or recertification, please visit the HRCI homepage at www.hrci.org. The use of this seal is not an endorsement by HRCI of the quality of the program. It means that this program has met HRCI's criteria to be pre-approved for recertification credit.

The Employer Resource Institute is an approved MCLE Multiple Activity Provider, and this program has been approved for 1.5 hours of MCLE credit by the State Bar of California. For more information, please contact our customer service department at (800) 695-7178.

Bonus Offer

As an additional benefit, you will receive a no-risk trial subscription to California Employer Advisor when you register for this Audio Conference (or purchase a CD recording). You will receive 3 evaluation issues. If you want to continue to receive the newsletter, simply pay the invoice you will receive in the mail. If you decide the newsletter isn't for you, just write cancel on the invoice and return it. You will owe nothing, and all issues you receive are yours to keep. As with all ERI products, your satisfaction is guaranteed 100%. (Offer good for new subscribers only.)

How Do Audio Conferences Work?

An Audio Conference is remarkably cost-effective and convenient. You participate from your office using a regular telephone. You have no travel costs and no out-of-office time.

Plus, for one low price you can get as many people in your office to participate as you can fit around a speakerphone.

Because the conference is live, you can ask the speakers questions' either on the phone or via e-mail.

With your registration, you also receive conference materials with additional practical information from Employer Resource Institute sent to you via e-mail shortly before the conference.

Why You Can Sign Up To Attend This Event with Confidence

As with all Employer Resource Institute products, you're completely protected. If for any reason you are unsatisfied with this Audio Conference, simply let us know and we will return your entire registration fee.