Developing a Comprehensive Employee Handbook: Essential components, critical policies, pitfalls, remote work, and recent legal developments

Eric Emanuelson | Epstein Becker Green

Eric Emanuelson, an Associate in Epstein Becker Green’s Washington, D.C. office, counsels multi-state employers on all facets of employment law, with an eye towards minimizing risk and achieving optimal workplace outcomes. Clients turn to him for assistance reviewing handbooks, compliance with equal pay laws, support for reductions in force, and information regarding the latest federal, state, and local employment law developments. Eric leads workplace training programs on anti-harassment and workplace conduct, and he is a regular presenter of continuing legal education webinars.

Chelsea D. Mesa | Seyfarth Shaw LLP

Chelsea’s practice focuses on advising employers concerning various employment related issues, including compliance with California and federal anti-discrimination, anti-harassment and leave laws, and other human resources practices, as well as negotiating and documenting employment and severance agreements. Chelsea also counsels clients on their employment policies, and performs trainings on all aspects of employment conduct, including California- mandated sexual harassment training, discrimination training, and training on the interplay of the Americans with Disability Act with state and federal leave laws. In addition, Chelsea advises employers on hiring and termination decisions, including those where federal and state WARN requirements are triggered, and handling performance deficiencies and evaluations.

Brett Holubeck | Fisher & Phillips LLP

Brett takes a practical approach to counsel and defend businesses and individual in employment law issues and disputes. He knows that good preventative measures are crucial to avoiding litigation and improving performance and employee morale. Brett advises on employee handbooks, drafts employment agreements, helps ensure compliant policies, and understands the importance of having the right policies and practices in place. He has handled wage and hour, employee leave, noncompete, and labor relations matters, as well as represented companies before the NLRB. Finally, Brett runs his own blog, texaslaborlawblog.com covering various employment and labor law issues.

Session I – Finding Handbook Harmony: Compliance with a user friendly tune | 1:00pm – 2:00pm

•  The role of handbooks in fostering a respectful workplace and protecting the company
• Best practices for structuring the handbook
• Critical policies that should be included, plus those that might invite unnecessary legal risk
• Keeping your handbook relevant and in compliance with new laws and regulations

Break | 2:00pm – 2:10pm

Session II – Handbook Provisions That Safeguard You and That Present Risks | 2:10pm – 3:10pm

• Exploring areas of concern in 2024 and expected trends in 2025
• A handbook as a shield and a sword
• What areas might we not realize we need
• What commonly used provisions should be left behind

Break | 3:10pm – 3:20pm

Session III – Best Practices for Employee Handbooks in 2024 and Beyond: Current rulings, legislation, and enforcement trends | 3:20pm – 4:20pm

• Recent legal developments
• Hybrid and remote work considerations
•  Technology and social media policies
• Mitigating legal risks
• Multistate and global employer issue