n Upcoming Training Calendar

n HR Rumors

All of us at TPO wish to extend a heart-felt thank you for choosing TPO as your HR partners, and for the many wonderful relationships that have evolved over the past thirteen years we have been serving our business community's HR needs.

We wish you health and prosperity in 2005, and look forward to the opportunity to support your HR goals and objectives next year and in years to come!

2005

Training Calendar

HR-101 SERIES

- a training series focusing on the regulatory compliance and HR best practices - the information & skills supervisors & managers need to keep themselves and the organization out of hot water!

n Monterey - Jan & Feb

MANAGEMENT EXCELLENCE SERIES

- a training series focusing on practical leadership and communication skills to help managers develop or refine their effectiveness as leaders!

n Monterey - Feb & Apr

SPECIALIZED WORKSHOPS

n Workers' Comp - January 18

n What's Really Going On Here - February 17

n Managing Change - March 24

n Prevention of Harassment - April 5

n First Time Manager - April 20

n FMLA/CFRA/PDL - May 4

These TPOU programs are also available in Gilroy - contact us for
programs and dates!

Is it legal for a company policy to have a "use it or lose it" policy to avoid the buildup of vacation time for employees who don't use their yearly allotment?

No. Once an employee has earned vacation, treat it like money in the bank, never to be taken away. The CA courts and state Labor Code prohibit a "use-it-or-lose-it" policy. Alternatives to "use-it-or-lose-it" policies that the Labor Commissioner approves are reasonable vacation accrual caps and cash-out policies.

Lena Hammond celebrates 4 years
with TPO!

As TPO's Office Manager and Marketing and  Communications expert, Lena contributes to TPO in remarkable fashion.

Thank you from your appreciative TPO colleagues, and all of our business associates!

Local employer accused of RECKLESS DISREGARD
for  the Fair Employment and Housing Act!

...we all like press coverage, but not with that headline!

Before January 1, 2006 all CA employers with 50+ employees (that figure includes employees outside the state and all part-time, temporary, and contract workers) must be in compliance with AB 1825 mandating:

n "Interactive" Training

n Monitoring, Tracking and Compliance Procedures

n Written Policies

Employers cannot plead ignorance about being liable for sexual harassment by a manager or supervisor. Failing to properly train can result in punitive damage charges by demonstrating "reckless disregard" for the Fair Employment and Housing Act.

So what's the best risk management strategy?

1. Fully comply with the requirements of this new law;

2. Provide training that not only complies, but actually changes employee behavior to prevent costly and avoidable harassment claims, and;

3. Include managers, supervisors and all other employees

NOTE: While employers with less than 50 employees are not YET legally required to provide such training, doing so helps reduce legal exposure and liability DRAMATICALLY. It is our recommendation that ALL employers (even with less than 50 employees) arrange for workplace harassment training!

TPO's Sexual Harassment Training programs meet the new legal requirements AND deliver impactful information to change behaviors and reduce your organization's risk for harassment claims. We also make sure you comply with the 4 KEY administrative (non-training) aspects of the law.

Here's what the new law requires and what TPO provides:

AB 1825 - "The Law"

TRAINING

Employers must provide an interactive training program for supervisors once every two years.

n Include information and practical guidance regarding the federal and state statutory provisions concerning the prohibition against and the prevention and correction of sexual harassment and the remedies available to victim of sexual assault;

n Include practical examples aimed at instructing supervisors in the prevention of harassment, discrimination, and retaliation;

n Be presented by trainers or educators with knowledge and expertise in the prevention of harassment, discrimination, and retaliation;

n Assess and meet the need for bilingual instruction.

TPO's "Maintaining a Harassment & Discrimination Free Work Environment" training programs are led by one of our nationally certified Human Resource Consultants. Each program includes:

n Interaction with a "Live" Trainer with Q & A;

n Reinforcement Handouts;

n Power Point Presentation & Video;

n Interactive Exercises including Role Play;

n Pre and Post Tests;

n Certificate of Completion.

Our programs have been fully translated into Spanish, and are presented by TPO's bi-lingual staff.

TPO's training programs include the following…

2.5 Hour Manager & Supervisor Session:

n State & Federal Anti-Discrimination Laws

n Definitions of Unlawful Harassment

n Descriptions & Examples of Unlawful Conduct

n Employer Obligations

n Company & Management Liability

n Company Policy and Procedures

n The Internal Complaint Process

n Non-Retaliation Policy

n Responding to Complaints

n Prevention Summary

1.5 Hour Employee Session:

n State & Federal Anti-Discrimination Laws

n Definitions of Unlawful Harassment

n Descriptions & Examples of Unlawful Conduct

n Company Policy & Procedures

n The Internal Complaint Process

n Non-Retaliation Policy

Employers must provide training to newly hired or promoted supervisors within six months of placement in the supervisory role.

TPO offers "Open Enrollment" programs on Harassment and Discrimination Prevention for supervisors and managers.

ADMINISTRATION

Develop systems for monitoring/recording compliance:

n Training dates for all current supervisors.

n Training of new supervisors (train within 6 months of hire/promotion).

n On-going training (every 2 years)

Our comprehensive database
monitors all managers, supervisors, and employees trained from your organization and will notify you automatically when retraining is mandatory, thereby recording compliance.

Develop systems for tracking employee training:

n Managers and Supervisors who were in position as of July 1, 2005 must complete training by
January 1, 2006.

n All Managers and Supervisors hired/promoted after July 1, 2005 must be trained within 6 months
of hire/promotion.

n Those Manager's and Supervisor's already trained after January 1, 2003 must be retrained before January 1, 2008.

TPO will:

n Help you set-up a tracking system.

n Send quarterly reminders to check your list of new hires and schedule them for training.

Update policies to include:

n Procedures for reporting harassment

n Reference to and documentation of appropriate training.

We will review your current written policies and procedures and recommend revisions for 2005, including reporting and documentation procedures.

Provide a reasonable avenue for complaints.

TPO will craft a reasonable problem solving procedure to communicate your complaint policy.

Our trained consultants have conducted scores of neutral, non-biased, 3rd party, investigations on behalf of our clients and members.

Trust TPO to provide expert support. We will simplify your
compliance efforts and reduce the risk of future claims!

Featured Keynote Speaker:   RICHARD J. SIMMONS!

Get a great neurobic workout while getting up to speed with new and updated laws and developments affecting ALL California employers in 2005 with RICHARD J. SIMMONS, a nationally known labor attorney from the Los Angeles law firm of Sheppard, Mullin, Richter and Hampton!

Special Lunch-Time Keynote Speaker!

A compelling and insightful leadership message on "The Challenges of Leadership in the 21st Century" from LEON PANETTA, Director of The Panetta Institute and former White House Chief of Staff (schedule permitting).

Informative Break-Out Sessions:   Choose Any Two!

n  DONNA GENETT, Ph.D. author of: "If You Want It Done Right, You DON'T Have to Do It Yourself!"

n  ANN PHILLIPS, Ken Blanchard Companies: "Whale Done^TM" - How to Motivate by Building Relationships.

n  TPO SR. CONSULTANTS: "With All These Leave Rights, Who's Going To Be At Work?!" Managing FMLA/CFRA/PDL & Other Leaves.

Wine and Cheese Social!

Conclude this information-packed day with an enjoyable networking opportunity, while relaxing at the TPO-Hosted Wine & Cheese Social!

In Partnership with:

WHEN:    JANUARY 26th, 7:45am-4:15pm
(Cont. breakfast & lunch included!)

WHERE:  Embassy Suites Hotel Monterey Bay,
1441 Canyon Del Rey, Seaside

COST:      TPO Members attend FREE*
as part of TPO Annual Membership!

               Non-Members: $249.00

               *Participants above the number of your authorized representatives can attend for just $199 each!

Click here for more information and to register!

6 HRCI Credit Hours

This conference has been
approved for 6 credit hours toward PHR/SPHR/GPHR recertification through the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI).

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Meeting your needs and exceeding your expectations!

TPO HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT provides "outsourced" support
to help employers understand and comply with confusing employment laws,
train managers to avoid costly mistakes and promote positive employee relations.

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Employment Upd@te is a publication of  TPO HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT. Copyright ©2004. All rights reserved.
TPO's Employment Upd@te may be reproduced or re-transmitted without change or modification of any kind.

The information provided is designed to be accurate in content. TPO provides human resource consulting and is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting or other professional services. Readers are advised to consult legal counsel on matters involving employment law or important personnel policies & practices before adoption or implementation.