Work Telephone Seminars - Training Resources

Telecommuting: The Next Wave of Wage and Hour Litigation ...tsMany employers offer their employees the opportunity to work from home either on a regular or temporary basis. While the flexibility of a telecommuting arrangement can benefit both the employer and the employee, allowing a nonexempt employee to work at home can lead to a minefield of wage and hour issues that you must carefully navigate to avoid potential liability. As telecommuting has  more...

Traffic Management for Construction Work Zones: Unique Challenges and Solutions ...azards, certain program elements must be completed before work begins, while additional elements must be addressed on-site and on an on-going basis. Many contractors who are required to prepare and implement traffic control plans often do not understand how to process the approval and satisfy the agencies requirements, as well as federal and state occupational regulations. Understanding the  more...

California's New State Court E-Discovery Rules: Do Try This At Home BenefitsOn June 29, 2009, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law AB 5, California's first set of statutes designed to address the realities of electronic discovery. AB 5 added two new statutes to the California Code of Civil Procedure and amended 19 pre-existing CCP sections. On August 14, the Judicial Council followed suit by amending Calif. Rule of Court 3.724 to require early meet and  more...

Building Preservation: Preventive Measures to Combat Deterioration ...lding but not fixing the problem is a waste! Learn how to work with government agencies, not against them. Find out where to start, who can help you and how to identify the best qualified assistance. Learning Objectives - You will be able to discuss the investigation process. - You will be able to review restrictions and agency requirements. - You will be able to describe repair, maintenance  more...

Partnerships and Section 704(c) ...tructure transactions using such entities, understand and work with the Section 704(c) regulations. There will be a discussion of the various elections that are available to adopt methods of allocation under Section 704(c), as well as a discussion of reverse allocations. Failing to have a proper understanding of these provisions can potentially result in unanticipated surprising tax  more...

Current Work Product Issues in Taxation: Preservation, Waiver and Tax Accrual Work Papers ...many obstacles and ever-changing standards to maintaining work product protection of sensitive documents and information prepared by counsel. The documents at issue, such as tax accrual workpapers, litigation analyses and internal investigation materials, are often roadmaps for the companies adversaries. Challenges to work product protection come from many directions, including private  more...

Avoiding the Pitfalls of GMP Contracting ...MP contracts and the contracts that the users are used to working under, or (b) the risks that are inherent to this delivery system. This teleconference is designed to highlight those differences and alert you to the unique risks of using this format. This program will be presented in a simple and straightforward manner by professionals with years of hands-on experience in the negotiation,  more...

A Primer on International Estate Planning ...l' today - especially wealthy ones. More and more clients work or study abroad, own property in more than one country, find their spouses abroad and qualify as citizens or residents of multiple nations. All of this can subject clients to the competing property, succession and tax laws of multiple jurisdictions. This teleconference will help you serve your international clients by identifying  more...

The Construction Bidding Process ...e in preparing a bid or proposal for federal construction work, such as proprietary specifications, design versus performance specifications and the duty to inquire during the bidding stage. In addition, we will cover the bid protest procedures in place to protect your rights, including small business, disadvantaged business and veteran set aside issues. You cannot compete effectively in this  more...

Utilizing Graphs and Charts in Microsoft Excel ...ou quick ways to create charts; explore which chart types work best for different data; and give you tips on when and how to add gridlines, change background colors, adjust scaling, insert titles, re-configure 3-D charts, insert clip art images and add trendlines. You can add both functionality and eye-appeal to your charts with simple formatting techniques. You will learn the best and fastest  more...

HR Time Lines: The Complex Integration of FMLA, WC, Disability and COBRA ...worker's compensation, FMLA, disability and COBRA laws work - together, independently or concurrently? What can run together? What cannot? When can we cancel the health plan, for what reason and is it a COBRA qualifying event? We will pull all of these together to explain the employer's liability. When can coverage be canceled? What laws protect employee benefits? Many times all of these  more...

Probate and Estate Tax Return Preparation for Paralegals BenefitsWhether you prepare United States estate (and generation skipping) tax returns (Form 706) for your clients or just gather the information for the preparer, this teleconference introduces you to the process and will teach what needs to be done and how to do it. This teleconference includes a practical checklist for gathering the necessary information and demonstrates the application of the  more...

Statement of Work (SOW) Contract Fundamentals ...work is the only thing between you and failure, whether it be a project, a contract, a grant application or a proposal. Success is in the details of the statement of work. Without it, you can't compete or communicate. Those who have managed contracted work know that poorly written statements of work can lead to communication breakdowns, misunderstandings, disputes, rework, delayed completion  more...

Avoiding Waiver of the Attorney-Client Privilege BenefitsThis teleconference will discuss the doctrine of attorney-client privilege: the scope of the privilege, exceptions to the privilege, procedural aspects of asserting the privilege, waiver of the privilege and the related but distinguishable doctrine of attorney work product. It should be useful for attorneys who represent individuals and organizations who are concerned about asserting and  more...

Wage and Hour Update: Overtime Concerns With Mobile Devices ...ow the norm for many industries as new technologies allow work to be done virtually anywhere at any time. Serious questions have emerged about how employers should limit, monitor and compensate remote work hours. Recent litigation trends also show that compensation for time worked away from the office during nontraditional hours is coming under increased legal scrutiny. This has put employers  more...

New Federal Rule of Evidence 502 - Preservation or Waiver of the Attorney Client Privilege and Work Product Protection in Federa ...sKnowing and preserving the attorney-client privilege and work product protection is a fundamental for most litigators. Rule 502 of the Federal Rules of Evidence has been adopted to clarify and resolve a common dispute regarding the effects of certain disclosures otherwise protected by the privilege or work product, including inadvertent disclosures and the agreement of the parties regarding  more...

Juvenile-Onset Bipolar Disorder: Discussion, Diagnosis and Treatment Considerations ... discussed which is adequate educational planning. How to work collaboratively with a treating psychiatrist and how to be an advocate for the child and family if the child is not receiving the most up-to-date treatment will also be discussed. What is the role of testing and what type of testing is most helpful for these patients and the family and schools? The benefit for participating in this  more...

Updated Best Practices for Legal Holds In Civil, Criminal & Business Contexts ...n or other formal proceedings. You also will learn how to work with your clients in planning for proceedings that require preservation of documents and electronically stored information. Specific approaches may differ. But the clear best practice for legal holds is to spend some time and expense in planning, in order to avoid both catastrophic consequences and extraordinary costs to cure. This  more...

Construction Contract Bid Errors ...work have never been greater. The competition for contracts, often coupled with precarious financial health, leaves very little margin for error - yet bid mistakes are on the increase with adverse consequences for owners, contractors and subcontractors. This teleconference analyzes the legal consequences of bid errors and how to avoid them. Those who conduct the procurement of construction  more...

Microsoft Outlook 2007 Tips and Tricks BenefitsOutlook is a powerful, feature-filled personal information manager but many users are overwhelmed by the features and options available and never take full advantage of the potential it offers for managing email, calendar and contacts. They don't discover the time-saving shortcuts Outlook provides or utilize the many options included in Outlook. This teleconference offers a quick course in  more...

Case Study: What Makes Dixon Schwabl One of the "Best Small Companies to Work for in America" ...e, empower and excite employees to build a great place to work. Dixon Schwabl, Inc., CEO Lauren Dixon will share her experiences developing a company culture built on flexibility, freedom and respect for employees, inspiring an innovative approach to everyday workplace practices. No matter the size, geography or industry - any company can be a great place to work. Ms. Dixon will share how she  more...

Best Practices in Commission Pay Plans ...work as well in recruiting, directing, motivating and retaining sales people as a strong commission plan. This is critical because sales people are often highly paid, remote from headquarters and entrusted with customer relationships (very valuable assets). A properly designed commission plan clearly and personally communicates the strategy of the organization to resources that have direct  more...

Contractor Selection ...om line' times, the contractor you place in charge of the work is the most important person on the project. This teleconference will assist you review the key issues on contractor selection and raise important points for the negotiation of construction contracts. Learning Objectives - You will be able to breakdown project delivery methods. - You will be able to explain contract negotiation and  more...

Low-Impact Development Maintenance and Upkeep Techniques ...rt-term and long-term maintenance in order to continue to work as designed. This teleconference will clearly explain both the routine and nonroutine maintenance required for a wide variety of storm water BMPs. It will explain what maintenance must be performed and when it should be performed. Links to many informative sites further explaining maintenance Learning Objectives: You will be able  more...

Effective Legal Writing and Editing for Paralegals BenefitsEffective writing is one of the most important tools in the legal trade. No matter the strength of your case or your knowledge of the facts and the law, your ability to communicate concisely and powerfully is crucial to your success. This teleconference will show you how to focus your writing to a specific audience; how to streamline and strengthen your writing; how to avoid grammar,  more...

Jeopardizing Exempt Status: Top 10 Mistakes Employers Make and How to Avoid Them BenefitsOnce exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act, employees do not necessarily remain exempt for the duration of their employment. Actions taken (or not taken) by employers can and do jeopardize the exemptions claimed, leading unknowing employers down the path to potentially ruinous liability for unpaid minimum wages and overtime. This teleconference is designed to help you identify issues  more...

Nanotech Materials for Sustainable Buildings BenefitsA nanotech revolution is underway in building materials and technologies. In fact, you won't achieve truly green, sustainable buildings without some of the products emerging from this revolution. Many nanotech products are already here and you can use them with confidence. This 90-minute, nontechnical teleconference will give an overview of how nanotech is changing the full spectrum of  more...

The Paralegal's Role at Trial BenefitsThis teleconference will provide valuable information to help you develop, improve and enhance your trial preparation and trial skills in order to better assist the attorneys with whom you work in a more efficient and productive manner. Helpful hints and key tools of the trade will be shared to help you improve your efficiency and effectiveness as a key member of the trial team.  more...

Integrated Project Delivery Principles and Building Information Modeling BenefitsMany in the facilities community, including designers, builders and owners, need a hand understanding IPD and BIM. What does it all mean? Who benefits and how? Some that have heard about IPD and BIM may be wondering how to either ask for it in their projects or implement these principles in their firms. There are some basic concepts in IPD and BIM that can be used in every project large or  more...

Mental Illness and the ADA ...er accommodate conditions that cause employees to violate work rules or request treatment? May an employer require a medical examination of an employee exhibiting signs of mental illness? This teleconference will assist you in addressing these issues and more within the boundaries of the ADA. This teleconference will highlight employee and employer rights and responsibilities, provide practical  more...

Current Issues in CEQA ...fight over the reality of climate change, those of us who work on new development or projects in California only have time to fight to keep up with the enormous changes in California law and jurisprudence concerning climate change. This teleconference will provide an update on the proposed changes to the California Environmental Quality Act guidelines for mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions  more...

Construction Payment Remedies: Using the Right Tools ...conference will cover types of payment remedies, how they work, and the strengths and weaknesses of each. The speakers will discuss how to mix and match remedies to fit particular needs and circumstances, as well as defenses to and limits on payment remedies. Learning Objectives: - You will be able to explain mechanics liens and related remedies. - You will be able to point out bankruptcy  more...

Health Care Reform: Implications for Employers, Insurers, and Individuals ...ministrators, and other consultants and professionals who work with group health plans and related benefits on a daily basis. This teleconference will address the status of the various health care reform bills in Congress as of September 23, 2009, and address the likelihood of passage of key elements as of that date. More importantly, it will cover the practical implications of this legislation  more...

Fundamentals of SBA Lending: Documenting, Closing and Funding the SBA Loan BenefitsSBA lending affords banks and other lending institutions with the opportunity to finance commercial loans to small businesses and, at the same time, secure a 50 to 90 percent loan guarantee from the federal government. While the program can be quite profitable, it's not without its risks. Compliance with SBA regulations is mandatory to ensure success and profitability. With seismic changes  more...

Shop Drawings and Other Construction Submittals - Legal and Architectural Perspectives ...When the process breaks down, the result can be deficient work, economic loss and even disastrous collapse. This teleconference will help you understand your responsibility and risks in the shop drawings submittal process, and how to handle problems when they arise. In addition, this teleconference will discuss change order requests and requests for information, two other types of construction  more...

Collective Bargaining and Construction Labor Contracts ...cted and that the agreements cover all projects involving work within the union's jurisdiction. As a result, the contractors exposed their businesses to increased labor costs as well as potential liability to the union benefit funds for unpaid benefit contributions. With proper planning and a better understanding of the law, these problems can be avoided. This teleconference will help  more...

Curbing FMLA Abuse: How to Manage Manipulative Employees ...oyees have figured out how to play the FMLA game to avoid working and being held accountable for their absences. These issues can wreak havoc on productivity in the workplace. This teleconference will help you understand what you can do to use the FMLA regulations to curb FMLA abuse. This teleconference will explain how to ensure that employees meet all of their obligations under the FMLA.  more...

How to Legally Handle Travel Pay ...time spent traveling to destinations other than a regular work site. Many companies send employees to conferences and other work sites using commercial travel and personal vehicles. This teleconference will enable you to understand how and when to compensate an employee for travel time away from a work site. You'll find out how to determine which employees are entitled to travel time pay and at  more...

Current Issues in Cell Tower Leases ...r the first time, while the cell companies have teams who work exclusively on such leases. We will focus on key business issues in wireless site leases, including lease rates and who gets the revenues from additional antennas or carriers being co-located at a site. An emphasis on the industry-specific elements and terms of modern cell site leases, and renewals and modifications of expiring  more...

Sale-Leaseback Transactions Today: Monetizing Real Estate Assets ...on sale leaseback structures that are available, how they work and whether they would be advantageous for your business. Also, for real estate investors (large and small), learn more about the availability of Section 1031 exchange property from companies with sale-leaseback and net-leased property programs. Accountants, tax managers, CFOs, controllers, real estate professionals, presidents,  more...

Protecting Attorney Work Product in Communications With Testifying and Consulting Experts ...ocedure 26. This teleconference will review privilege and work product protections as applied to expert materials. Our faculty will explore the common disclosure pitfalls for practitioners and present real-life scenarios involving disclosure of expert communications. They will also discuss strategic considerations present in expert-intensive cases. Finally, you'll get simple practical tips for  more...

Dress Code Liabilities ... number and type of tattoos visible on employees while at work. This teleconference will explore the pros and cons of different options in written policies and discuss different approaches in dealing with these types of situations. The teleconference will also address items to include in a dress code policy. Human resource and personnel managers, presidents, vice presidents, business owners  more...

Cash Is King: Effective Cash Flow Management BenefitsA balance sheet is often described as a snapshot of your financial situation at a single point in time. (Think of it as the balance in your personal checking account.) An income statement summarizes revenue, expenses and net income for the entire year or other period of time. Both of these financial statements are important tools to measure the success of your business but do little to  more...

Taxation Issues When Conducting Business With Native American Tribes ...ederal, state and tribal tax issues facing companies that work with Native American tribes and tribal enterprises, with practical insights into what taxes may apply under particular circumstances, and a discussion of tax incentives and planning considerations relating to economic development on tribal lands and ventures involving tribal enterprises. Accountants, CPAs, controllers, accounting  more...

Effective Management of Off-Site Employees BenefitsHaving employees telecommute has evolved from being a personal convenience to a good business strategy, and now taking our current economic challenges it is a business necessity. It has become an imperative to effectively manage employees who are not reporting daily to the normal work site. This 90-minute teleconference will discuss how to properly manage off-site employees, the pitfalls  more...

Purchasing Law: Breach, Repudiation and Excuse ...problem - your supplier hasn't delivered, the goods don't work the way they should or you have reason to think that they won't be delivered. This teleconference will provide you a basic understanding about what you can do when your purchase contract goes bad. You will receive a primer on the steps you need to take to preserve your rights and the remedies that may be available under the Uniform  more...

Construction Project Management in Remote Locations: Site Considerations and Unique Challenges ...expectations: technical and commercial analysis, scope of work development, a detailed execution plan, a detailed CPM schedule with day certain financial closing and a fixed price lump sum price to perform the work, all due in 3 to 6 weeks. A sense of urgency is the common thread that runs through all of the construction planning steps and is essential to the success of the project. Carefully  more...

Social Networking in the Workplace: Policies, Monitoring and Discipline Issues ...working via online tools such as MySpace , Facebook and Twitter has exploded in popularity over the last few years. According to an October 2008 survey, 51 percent of employees accessed social networks at least once per day at work; many of them did so for an hour or more per week. Despite these numbers and the risks inherent in employees using social networking tools, such as harassment,  more...

Don't Bet the Company: Understanding and Avoiding Class Actions in Labor and Employment Law! ... the employer is responsible for paying overtime for this work, even though it was never authorized and the company may even have a policy against it. Once a plaintiff's lawyer gets hold of the case, the company may have to pay for all that back-pay at an overtime rate, plus attorney's fees. Or, as in one case, the company had unpaid breaks, but no one was required to time out on the clock.  more...

How Letters of Credit Work and Why Sometimes They Don't BenefitsThis teleconference will walk you through the steps in the life of a letter of credit, identifying pitfalls along the way. The teleconference will review and illustrate fundamental principles using real-life examples. Our presenter will explain how these principles apply to both commercial and standby letters of credit and how these two types differ. In particular, you'll learn why letters  more...

Best Practices to Manage Your Multistate Payroll ...is confusing and the regulations are constantly changing. Working time for nonexempt employees is not well-understood throughout the payroll profession and many professionals spend more time on payroll forms than is either necessary or available. This teleconference will help payroll personnel cope with multistate payroll pitfalls explaining in practical terms not only how to calculate the  more...

Business Combinations and Goodwill: What Is the Latest With Fair Value? ...e teleconference will discuss how auditors may review the work of outside valuations specialists for financial reporting purposes and the relationship between management, their outside auditor and the valuation specialist. Independent auditors wanting to further understand the role of valuation specialists may find this discussion particularly useful. Controllers, CFOs, CEOs, business managers  more...

Basics of Trust Administration nThis teleconference will provide an overview of basic principles of trust administration under U.S. law, including powers and duties of trustees; relations with beneficiaries; removal and replacement of trustees; the use of directed trustees, protectors and investment managers, etc., to "slice and dice" trustee powers; probate court involvement in trust administration; and concepts in fiduciary  more...

Managing Employees' Pre-Existing Conditions: Strategies for Reducing Injury Losses nBy attending this teleconference, you will learn the fundamentals of managing employees with pre-existing health conditions. In addition to an understanding of the interplay between federal laws prohibiting discrimination against health conditions and state workers' compensation laws, you will learn the nuances of distinguishing between pre-existing conditions and new work-related injuries. Learn  more...

Benchmarking your Health Benefit Program: How Do You Stack Up? ...ion and health plan design. n nThis teleconference will work through several methods to evaluate your health benefit program's cost, design and impact on employees with an eye to comparing your plan to others - regionally and nationally. In addition, we will discuss the trends in health benefits and give you benchmarking statistics on the current landscape for including that trend in your  more...

Presenteeism: Measurement and Intervention Issues for Employers and Health Plans ... more vital issue to the business world. Presenteeism, or work loss due to underlying health conditions when individuals remain at work, is one important facet of productivity. One study found that approximately 6 percent of a global company's total compensation (salaries, wages and all benefit costs) were lost due to presenteeism. Work site wellness programs can potentially make many important  more...

Understanding Pregnancy Leave and Return to Work Issues nUnder federal and state law, employers must not treat pregnant employees any differently from other employees. But, what exactly does this mean? Questions often arise as to how much leave a woman may take, what her rights are when she is on leave and what rights does she have when she returns to work. Employers often times are unwittingly violating the law. This teleconference will help you avoid  more...

Creating Investment Policies For Your Nonprofit: Risk Tolerance, Reserve Funds and Portfolio Management Capacity nEstablishing and maintaining investment policies that fall in line with the needs, risk tolerance and portfolio management capacity of your organization are critical to its success. At this teleconference we will take a strategic look at the components that contribute to creating strong investment policies. Included will be discussions on understanding the needs of your organization, spending  more...

2009 Updates to the International Residential Codes ...e code provisions, as system manufacturers and installers work to keep up with the mandates. Some professionals view the changes as unnecessary, express technical concerns or unjustified expense. On the other hand, homes that are constructed under the new 2009 IECC are forecasted to save 15-20 percent more energy than homes built under the 2006 code. This teleconference will take you through  more...

Differing Site Conditions ...building information modeling is taking much of the guess work out of a variety of different types of construction. For example, through BIM, the structural steel, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, fire sprinkler and communications subtrades can all determine whether the new and existing utilities, beams, piping and conduits are going to run into each other or not. Accordingly, there should be less  more...

Real Estate Market Studies: Critical Decision Tool or Superfluous Information? ...he best providers of market studies, formulate a scope of work to suit the needs of the assignment, assist the consultant without clouding the conclusions and understand the output. You will benefit from a better understanding of what is involved in the market study process and how to ensure the most insightful results. The outcome of a market study can make or break a project - be prepared to  more...

Design Tips for Rain Gardens: Storm Water and Runoff Control ...n these practices. What these systems look like, how they work, where to locate them, how deep and how large their footprint should be, the best vegetation, construction tips and maintaining the gardens will be reviewed during this teleconference. A brief summary of how well these infiltrating vegetative filters work will also be reviewed. n nLearning Objectives n- You will be able to locate  more...

Workplace Flexibility: Innovative Strategies for an Evolving Workforce ...workforce have changed dramatically. In response, many businesses have turned to workplace flexibility in order to recruit and retain the best workers, boost productivity and increase their competitive advantage. At the same time, policymakers in Washington have been exploring various approaches for increasing access to workplace flexibility across industries and professions. n nThis  more...

Commercial Lease Negotiations and Due Diligence nIn this informative teleconference, our speaker will take the key lease provisions and go back to the basics with respect to commercial leases. This program is ideal for beginners and experts alike, since each provision will start at the simplest level and go to the most sophisticated level. You'll learn about the critical due diligence issues and developments that impact you, whether you work on  more...

E-Verify Mandates and Mechanisms for Compliance ...e system that allows participating employers to check the work status of new hires by comparing information from an employee's Form I-9 against Social Security Administration and Department of Homeland Security databases. Although initially implemented as a voluntary program, many states now require the use of E-Verify. Additionally, as a result of a presidential executive order released in  more...

Estate Planning for Vacation Homes nSummer and holiday gatherings at the family vacation home have become important traditions for many families. Providing a place where family members can relax, reconnect and escape the busy pace of life is increasingly significant to many families. Parents want to perpetuate these cherished memories and experiences throughout the generations. To do so requires careful, thoughtful planning by both  more...

Payroll Recordkeeping: What You Need to Know ..., including how long the records must be maintained. Home-workers, employees working under certain specified pay arrangements, employees to whom lodging or other facilities are furnished and employees in certain other categories present special requirements that you need to be aware of. Technology has made recordkeeping easier, but it has also placed upon the employer the added task of  more...

Challenges and Contractual Issues With Sub-Subcontractors nA subcontractor in today's construction industry faces unique challenges and concerns - from dealing with a bid process that can lock in a bidding subcontractor without any written agreement, to subcontractor form contracts that are written largely, if not entirely, in favor of the general contractor. In addition to concerns in bidding and contract formation, a subcontractor must constantly  more...

Protecting Yourself From Client Violence ...work, anticipating that they may become targets of violence from the very individuals they want to help. However, evidence suggests that violence perpetrated by clients or their family members toward practitioners is increasing across settings. Such workers are facing increasing risks in their jobs because of the nature of their work; the increasingly complex and challenging needs of the people  more...

Employee Discipline for Conduct Outside of Work ...mployers in disciplining employees for conduct outside of work. You'll hear about recent legislation and court cases involving some of the hottest topics in employment law, including employee discipline for blogging, web-based "employer trashing," workplace dating and extramarital affairs, and physical appearance such as weight, tattoos and body piercing. Our experienced professionals will  more...

Alternatives to Reductions in Force nLayoffs spawn headlines, adverse publicity and labor relations challenges. While the economic crisis has caused numerous companies to consider restructurings in response to a turbulent business environment, there are compelling business and legal reasons to consider alternatives to layoffs. This teleconference will address the legal and business cases for considering alternatives to layoffs and  more...

Return on Investment for Wellness Programs ...worksite wellness should be part of every strategic health plan. These plans can offer a valuable tool for employers to promote a fit and health-conscious work force that will save employers money by keeping health insurance premiums down, reducing workers' compensation costs, and by increasing productivity and decreasing lost time. Implementing a plan takes time, attention and deserves a well  more...

Curbing Unauthorized Overtime ...e is keeping track of the hours their nonexempt employees work and correctly paying any required overtime premium. When unauthorized overtime occurs, labor costs skyrocket, and businesses face a budgeting nightmare. And when employees perform compensable work off the clock, the potential overtime liability for an employer can be staggering. This teleconference will help businesses understand  more...