Speaker Spotlight with Kelly Scott 

Seeing 20/20 in 2020: A Look at the New 2020 Employment Laws for This Year

Preparing your business for the new 2020 employment laws in California doesn’t have to consume weeks of your time. If you run or work for an organization in California, then make plans to join speaker Kelly Scott at a PIHRA 2020 Legal Update seminar near you this January. This presentation will cover the recent legislative developments that have been drafted into law in 2020, as well as some of last year’s most important case law, that are sure to change your business practices in 2020 and beyond.

In his concurrent session, Seeing 20/20 in 2020: A Look at the New Employment Laws for This Year, Mr. Scott will cover the recent legislative developments that have been drafted into law in 2020, as well as some of last year’s most important case law, that are sure to change your business practices in 2020 and beyond.

Mr. Scott will provide takeaways such as:

• Learn about recent legal developments relating to employment law;
• Gain knowledge of how to be prepared for the current and future legal landscape; and
• Understand the importance of assisting management in training and adapting to new laws.

Mr. Scott’s PIHRA 2020 Legal Update keynote session will be informative and entertaining. It’s a must-attend for California employers who need to know about these complex legislative topics. Above all, business owners and HR pros will gain the insight needed to navigate the trickiest new 2020 employment laws in California. 

Speaker Spotlight: Kelly Scott, Ervin Cohen & Jessup

Special thanks to contributing writer and PIHRA Programs Chair, Baskaran Ambalavanan. Baskaran conducted this interview with PIHRA 2020 Legal Update presenter Kelly Scott.

PIHRA: 2020 brings a number of significant laws that will impact California employers. In your view, which new 2020 employment law would have a significant impact?

Kelly Scott: Ha! That is a bit like asking which bullet in the gun could do the most damage! I would have to say that the restrictions on arbitration agreements and payments, the extension of the statute of limitations on FEHA claims and the new independent contractor rules have the potential to cause the greatest havoc. However, the additional restrictions on settlement agreements, new wage penalties and the expanded definition of race may prove to be equally problematic for the uninformed employer. And of course there have been significant caselaw developments as well. 

How can organizations prepare themselves to navigate the new 2020 employment laws? 

Kelly Scott: Education! Attending the PIHRA 2020 Legal Update seminar is a good start. The next step must be to implement the knowledge obtained at the seminar by updating handbooks and changing various communications. Some training of supervisors will also be necessary.

All the new laws would impact all employers in some ways. Is there any particular law that impacts small businesses the most?

Kelly Scott: I feel for small businesses in California as it is becoming increasingly difficult for them to navigate California employment law without incurring the same costs as larger organizations. There are a number of developments that will catch small employers off guard if they are not careful. Certainly the independent contractor and arbitration rules will be hard for everyone, but the reporting time pay and meal break clarifications seem tailor made to surprise the smaller employer.

What is your advice (or tips) for HR professionals to manage the 2020 laws?

Kelly Scott: Dealing with new legal developments every year is a little like cleaning out your closet or garage; the longer you wait to do it, the more of a headache it will be. You have to get in the regular practice of reviewing everything once a year with the goal of not only complying with what’s new for that year, but of fine tuning HR practices in general. 

Why are you excited to present at the PIHRA 2020 Legal Update?

Kelly Scott: I am perpetually excited; PIHRA is just the icing on the cake. Seriously, PIHRA Legal Update attendees are great. They have a good attitude and they really want to come away with a working knowledge of things. What more could a presenter want?

Are you getting HR Certified in 2020?

Join PIHRA’s preparation class led by expert instructors to help you pass your certification exam:

Register for the January 2020 SHRM-CP / SHRM-SCP Preparation Course

About Kelly O. Scott, Presenter at the PIHRA 2020 Legal Update

Kelly O. Scott, Esq., head of Ervin Cohen & Jessup’s Employment Law Department, has practiced employment law for more than 30 years.

His experience includes representation of employers in all types of employment matters, including class actions, wrongful termination, sexual harassment, discrimination and harassment, retaliation, workplace violence, wage and hour claims, trade secrets, and advice and training for compliance with various employment laws.

Mr. Scott is also an experienced investigator in various types of employment law related complaints and problems. He is well-versed in pre-employment investigations and background checks, and is frequently active in the interviewing and review process for hiring, terminating and improving the performance of employees.

A distinguished thought leader, Mr. Scott has been quoted by a wide variety of news organizations, including CNN Entertainment, the Associated Press, Thomson Reuters, and E! News. Southern California Super Lawyers® has recognized Mr. Scott every year since 2005, and he maintains a Martindale-Hubbell peer review rating of AV Preeminent.

Is it time to renew your PIHRA membership?

This special offer (for active PIHRA members only) also ends January 30, 2020:

Check out our Legal Update Renewal Bundles for Active PIHRA Members!

Interview Conducted by Baskaran Ambalavanan, MBA, SPHR, GPHR, SHRM-SCP, PIHRA Programs Chair

Baskaran Ambalavanan, MBA, has more than two decades of HR experience in India, Oman, and the U.S. in both the functional HR and in the HRIS/HR Technology.

He is the Principal of Hila Solutions, LLC, a full-service HR Technology Advisory firm for SMEs. Baskaran earned his MBA from Alliance Manchester Business School, U.K. and also certified in SPHR, SHRM-SCP, GPHR, and PHRca.

He is based in Irvine, California and serving as the Programs Chair for PIHRA and an active volunteer leader in SHRM, IHRIM. In his role as PIHRA Programs Chair, Baskaran is instrumental in curating HR sessions for the PIHRA Legal Update and the California HR Conference. He is responsible for assembling the Task Force that selects California HR Conference speakers.

You can follow Baskaran’s insights on all things technology, HR, leadership, and strategy on Twitter at @baski_LA and LinkedIn. Register today to join us at a PIHRA 2020 Legal Update near you and learn from the top legal experts in California!

JOIN THE CALIFORNIA HR COMMUNITY AT THE PIHRA 2020 LEGAL UPDATE

Choose from 5 convenient locations! Lodging discounts available.

Rancho Mirage (½-Day) | Riverside | La Jolla | Anaheim | Burbank

Experience a comprehensive California legal update with PIHRA! In the world of human resources, staying ahead of constantly evolving employment laws and workplace legislation is essential. Certainly, PIHRA’s most famous flagship program will provide timely information, tips and crucial resources. Our expert speakers will help you cut through the complexity, so that you can protect your organization and effectively manage risk. 

→ Register today! (Group discounts available)