Opening Keynote
Employee Where Art Thou? The Latest News in Managing Disability and Leave Issues  

Presented by Christine V. Walters, J.D., MAS, SHRM-SCP, SPHR
Independent Consultant, FiveL Company

From COVID-19 to opioid addition, today’s workplace requires employers to balance flexible staffing models with business demands for productivity. As the U.S. labor market becomes more diverse, the economic tides continue to churn and work/life integration becomes increasingly important, this balancing act becomes more and more challenging for employers. In this interactive session, participants will conduct a mini-case study review of current challenges and proactive strategies employers are using for crafting policies, procedures and practices that balance the sometimes competing demands of employees’ and employers’ needs and interests for modified work schedules for medical, family, religious, military and other reasons.  

Learn how to compare and contrast leave obligations under the ADA, FFCRA, FMLA, Title VII, USERRA, Maryland and local leave laws; review legislative and regulatory trends across the nation and in our state addressing (un)paid leave options and obligations; tips for updating employment and HR policies in compliance with new Maryland laws effective October 1, 2020; and what may be on the horizon for 2021.
 
1.50 SHRM PDC's
1.50 HRCI Recertification Hours

Presented by Johnathan Michael Bowman J.D.
Keynote Leadership Speaker Clear Picture Leadership

Have you ever needed to create a new department or increase the quality of your team’s work? Change can be difficult for anyone. Leading change can be even more difficult and – at times – seemingly impossible. Learn leadership principles that every organizational leader should know in this energetic and content-rich presentation. Learn how to lead the way to successful “Picture Perfect” change. Drawing examples from real leadership situations, Bowman will teach and inspire you to ignite your team to achieve dynamic results. Learn how to set a vision of change, achieve buy-in and lead the way to capture your vision. As a fine art photographer, he uses his art during his presentation as a metaphor to graphically illustrate key points. Bullet points are replaced by close-ups of nature and graphs are supplanted by a serene countryside to turn his presentation into more than educational leadership training. It is also an inspirational, artistic experience.
 
1.25 SHRM PDC's
1.25 HRCI HR Recertification Hours

Presented by Randal Weidenaar
Founder and CEO of the Ultimate Why
Culture Expert, Researcher, Author and Consultant

The Ultimate Why: It turns out that research now knows what our hearts have known all along. What we want in life and business is to be valued as people and to create value for others. That means putting people first, putting human connection first. This is the Ultimate Why. The Ultimate Why is what fuels our lives. It excites us to thrive. We have built a system that trains leaders and cultures to tune to the Ultimate Why. When your people thrive, your business thrives. 

1.25 SHRM PDCs
1.25 HRCI Recertification Credit Hours

Closing Keynote Speaker
LGBTQ+ Knowledge for the HR Professional: Awareness, Etiquette and Best Practices
Presented by Tara B. Taylor, MPA
Managing Director, ADR Vantage, Inc. 

Although efforts have been made in recent years to advance equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, queer and other gender and sexual minorities, there are still many instances where LGBTQ+ people find themselves excluded, unwelcome and uncomfortable in the workplace. In fact, according to the Human Rights Campaign, an average of 50% of employees report hiding their sexual orientation at work due to hostility, prejudice, discrimination and mistreatment in the workplace. All organizations, and especially human resource professionals, have a vital role to play in raising awareness and creating best practices for inclusive workplaces.  

This interactive session will help you become more familiar with LGBTQ+ inclusive terminology; develop a greater understanding of the lived experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals and the related laws that impact workplaces;understand the differences in biological sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression; and learn tips, tools and strategies to create more welcoming and inclusive workplaces for LGBTQ+ employees.

1.50 SHRM PDC
1.50 HRCI Recertification Credit Hours