The September 27, 2011 seminar co-sponsored by Wyche, P.A. and FGP HR Consulting, HR 101:  What You Don't Know CAN Hurt You, covered current developments in employment law relevant to SC employers. Below are detailed discussions of some of those topics, so that you can be better informed on how these national and state trends impact your HR obligations and exposure.

Nine Ways to Identify and Reduce Your Company's Exposure to Employment Claims

1. Recent National Labor Relations Board Initiatives
2. Protect Your Trade Secrets & Confidential Information
3. Classifying Employees and Independent Contractors Correctly
4. Classifying Employees Correctly – Exempt v. Non-Exempt
5. Managing Your (Paid) Leave Policies
6. S.C. Illegal Immigration & Reform Act
7. Protecting Your Company from Workplace Violence
8. New Initiatives Related to Hiring
9. Retirement Plan Fees and Fee Disclosure

Mark W. Bakker is a shareholder of the firm who focuses his practice in the area of employment law. A member of the South and North Carolina Bars, Mark represents employers and management in all aspects of federal and state employment law. His practice focuses on bringing and defending cases in state and federal courts and before arbitration panels, litigating discrimination and wage-and-hour lawsuits, handling EEOC and other agency charges and claims, as well as counseling businesses on terminations, discipline, WARNS Act and layoffs. He provides proactive employment advice and counseling for human resource personnel, drafting employment and executive contracts, reviewing employee handbooks and other employment policies, and designing dispute resolution systems for employee-employer disputes. Mark has presented at numerous HR seminars, written articles on employment law, joined various state and federal legal organizations, and received recognitions for his legal work, including being listed in Best Lawyers in America and Chambers USA.