Webinar: Employment Law Mid-Year Update

Join the Chamber, attorneys from Torkildson, Katz, Hetherington, Harris & Knorek, and Michele Kauinui, Director of Human Resource Services at simplicityHR by ALTRES for a webinar update on personnel law trends, recent court decisions in labor and employment cases, and practical advice on managing employees. Topics to be discussed include:

1. Legislative & Judicial Update – Including the Mandatory Arbitration Ban for Sexual-Harassment Claims and Minimum Wage Bill.

2. From Pandemic to Endemic – While employers have ongoing obligations to protect the health and safety of their workers, the post-pandemic workplace is shifting due to state and federal authorities easing mandates. How to manage COVID going forward.

3. Retention and Recruitment – The new post-pandemic workforce looks very different than the pre-pandemic one, and what employees expect from jobs has changed dramatically. Learn ways to improve recruiting, best retention practices, new ways of working and more.

Brought to you in partnership with the Hawaii, Kapolei, Kauai, Kona-Kohala, Maui and Molokai Chambers of Commerce, and SHRM Hawaii.

Can't join us live? No problem! Register to attend and we will send you the playback recording of the webinar afterwards.


Jeffrey S. Harris
Director
Torkildson, Katz, Hetherington, Harris & Knorek 

Jeffrey S. Harris represents employers in all aspects of labor and employment law as an attorney at Torkildson, Katz, Hetherington, Harris & Knorek, Attorneys at Law. He has over 40 years of experience.

Mr. Harris advises management to:

1. Comply with all wages and hour, employee benefit, leave and prevailing wage laws;
2. Avoid discrimination, harassment, retaliation, whistleblower and failure to accommodate claims;
3. Manage labor relations according federal law about elections, negotiations, strikes and picketing;
4. Maintain the workplace according to safety and health and substance abuse law;
5. Effectively protect trade secrets and investment in training employees and
6. Comply with notice and other requirements applicable to business sales.

Mr. Harris has successfully resolved many cases involving each above area, by discussion, settlement, administrative decision, motion practice, jury verdict or opinion on appeal.  He has helped effectively negotiate several collective bargaining agreements, serving as spokesperson, member or advisor to the team.

Mr. Harris has received many accolades, including a 5-star, AV Preeminent Rating and being named a Top 25 Attorney in Hawaii by Super Lawyers. He is an active member of the community and frequently volunteers his time.


Michele Kauinui, MHRM
Director of Human Resource Services
simplicityHR by ALTRES
 
Michele Kauinui joined simplicityHR by ALTRES in 2006 and has over 20 years of experience in human resources. As Director of Human Resource Services, her role is integral to ensuring all ALTRES companies are fully compliant with regulations including all four staffing divisions, ALTRES Home Care, and all in-house employees. Kauinui is also responsible for overseeing human resources programs and providing support to 2,200 clients and their employees throughout Hawaii.
 
Prior to joining simplicityHR, Kauinui served as the Assistant Director of Human Resources at Halekulani Hotel. She earned a master’s degree of Human Resource Management (MHRM) from the University of Hawaii at Manoa where she was part of the school’s first MHRM cohort.
 
Kauinui is a member of Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and has her Senior Professional in Human Resources® and SHRM Certified Professional certifications.


John L. Knorek
Director
Torkildson, Katz, Hetherington, Harris & Knorek 

John L. Knorek, a Director at the firm, provides counsel and representation to large and small employers in all aspects of employment and wrongful discharge law. His practice also includes collective bargaining negotiations, affirmative action compliance, mediation and arbitration. He provides training to businesses on employment discrimination and preventative personnel practices, including family leave, disability law and sexual harassment. Mr. Knorek is a founding co-editor of the Hawaii Chamber of Commerce's Desk Manual for Employers and its Model Employer Handbook.

A few representative cases that Mr. Knorek has handled include: ALSCO, 124 LA 1545 (2008); French v. Hawaii Pizza Hut, Inc., 94 FEP 1072 (Haw. 2004); Welch v. Hawaii Medical Services Association, 89 FEP Cases 1172 (D. Haw. 2002); Ogden Services, 111 LA 250 (1998); Courtney v. Canyon TV & Appliance Rental, 899 F.2d 845 (9th Cir. 1990); Council of Hawaii Hotels v. Agsalud, 544 F. Supp. 449 (D. Haw. 1984).