When Sheila White, a forklift operator in Memphis, complained about sex discrimination and harassment on the job, she was transferred to a different position. She was also suspended for insubordination, but later reinstated with full back pay.

Although White was never fired, and she lost no pay, the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed a $43,500 verdict in her favor. Why? The court unanimously concluded that an employee can state a claim for retaliation even if the actions don’t involve termination or lost wages.

The ruling will likely open the floodgates for employees to sue for retaliation, and now even seemingly routine decisions - such as a reassignment without loss of pay - may be called into question. How can you protect yourself? Tune in to our 90-minute audio conference on August 9 for an in-depth analysis of this ruling and what it means for you as an employer.

YOU’LL LEARN:

• What the Court said, and why it’s now much easier for employees to claim retaliation
• The actions that can now be considered retaliatory
• How to discipline a wrongdoer while minimizing your exposure to a retaliation lawsuit
• Why you should never ignore an employee complaint, even if it seems trivial
• How to make necessary personnel decisions without opening yourself up to liability
• How to create a sound complaint policy
• What you need to do now to protect yourself

Allison West, Esq. is principal of Employment Practices Specialists, LLC, in Pacifica, California. West specializes in training, conducting workplace investigations, and human resources consulting, and she provides expert witness assistance. In June 2006, West was a speaker at the Society for Human Resource Management’s (SHRM) 58th Annual Conference & Exposition, presenting The High Cost of Getting Even: Preventing Retaliation Claims. She is licensed to practice law in California and holds a Senior Professional in Human Resources certification.

Sue Desmond, Esq. is an attorney with the Labor and Employment Law division of Watkins & Ludlam in Gulfport, Mississippi. She litigates and counsels employers on a full range of labor and employment law matters, including FMLA, ERISA, and wrongful discharge.

Randy DeVaul is the audio conference producer for Business and Legal Reports and principal of Randy DeVaul, LLC. He has 25 years’ experience as a safety professional and is internationally published in major trade publications. DeVaul has written three performance-based workplace safety books.

Approved for Recertification Credit

This program has been approved for 1.5 recertification credit hours toward PHR and SPHR recertification through the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI). For more information about certification or recertification, please visit the HRCI home page at www.hrci.org.

How Do Audio Conferences Work?

An audio conference is remarkably cost-effective and convenient. You participate from your office, using a regular telephone. You have no travel costs and no out-of-office time.

Plus, for one low price you can get as many people in your office to participate as you can fit around a speakerphone.

Because the conference is live, you can ask the speakers questions—either on the phone or via e-mail.

With your registration, you also receive conference materials, with additional practical information from Business & Legal Reports sent to you via e-mail shortly before the conference.

Why You Can Sign Up to Attend This Event with Confidence

As with all Business & Legal Reports' products, you're completely protected. If, for any reason, you are dissatisfied with this audio conference, simply let us know and we will return your entire registration fee.

Questions? Speak with a customer service representative.