Chelsea Hoffman | Seyfarth Shaw LLP

Chelsea’s practice focuses on advising employers concerning various employment related issues, including compliance with California and federal anti-discrimination, anti-harassment and leave laws, and other human resources practices, as well as negotiating and documenting employment and severance agreements. Chelsea also counsels clients on their employment policies, and performs trainings on all aspects of employment conduct, including California-mandated sexual harassment training, discrimination training, and training on the interplay of the Americans with Disability Act with state and federal leave laws. In addition, Chelsea advises employers on hiring and termination decisions, including those where federal and state WARN requirements are triggered, and handling performance deficiencies and evaluations.

Eric Emanuelson | Epstein Becker Green

Eric Emanuelson, an Associate in Epstein Becker Green’s Washington, D.C. office, and a regular presenter of continuing legal education webinars. Eric counsels multi-state employers on all facets of employment law, with an eye towards minimizing risk and achieving optimal workplace outcomes.

Clients turn to him for assistance reviewing handbooks, compliance with equal pay laws, support for reductions in force, and information regarding the latest federal, state, and local employment law developments. In addition to day-to-day employment counseling, Eric leads workplace training programs on anti-harassment and workplace conduct, assists clients with internal investigations, and conducts employment-related due diligence for corporate transactions.

Session I – Balancing Compliance and Clarity in Employee Handbooks | 1:00pm – 2:00pm

• How employee handbooks promote a respectful work environment while helping shield the organization
• Recommended approaches to organizing and formatting an effective handbook
• Critical policies that should be included, along with provisions that may create avoidable legal exposure
• Keeping your handbook compliant, including key legal developments that may require changes to your handbook for 2026

Break | 2:00pm – 2:10pm

Session II – Handbook Provisions That Safeguard You and That Present Risks | 2:10pm – 3:10pm

• Exploring areas of concern in 2025 and expected trends in 2026
• A handbook as a shield and a sword
• Uncovering gaps that are often missing or underestimated
• Eliminating provisions that create more risk than benefit