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2026 IPELRA Employment Law Seminar Sessions
Beyond FMLA Basics: Taking a “Deeper Dive” Into What the FMLA Requires
Date: Morning Sessions
Summary
Most employers have a basic understanding about their obligations under the Family & Medical Leave Act (FMLA). In many cases, those “basics” do not help answer more complex questions ranging from suspicions of FMLA abuse to recertification timelines to intermittent leave calculations for non-traditional work schedules (e.g., firefighters). This session will address these and other less frequent FMLA issues that confront employers.
Ready, Set, Negotiate! The Importance and Power of Preparation
Date: Morning Sessions
Summary
Successful negotiation outcomes rarely happen by accident. Instead, meeting or exceeding bargaining goals are normally the outgrowth of strategic planning, information collection and analysis, development of a meaningful plan, followed by organized management support and measured execution at the table. Information is key, strategy is essential, and the ability to respond and react quickly with information in support of proposals is critical. However, all of this takes substantial pre-planning and thoughtful preparation throughout the process. In this session we will discuss key preparation steps such as: identifying/redefining external comparability, external comparability data and analysis, internal comparability data, and how to develop and effectively use information to achieve the best possible result in bargaining and/or to best position the employer to during impasse procedures, among other related issues.
From Performance Appraisals to Fallout: Avoiding Legal Landmines
Date: Morning Sessions
Summary
Join us for a session on an often-maligned topic. We will explore the critical aspects of conducting effective performance appraisals and, most importantly, how to adequately summarize how an employee is actually performing. We’ll also discuss best practices to mitigate liabilities, ensure fairness, and uphold compliance standards. Lastly, we’ll highlight the more sensitive issues grappled with in performance reviews and how to avoid common pitfalls that can lead to legal complications. Don’t miss it!
What Negotiators Need to Know About the FLSA (including tax implications of the Big Beautiful Bill
Date: Morning Sessions
Summary
Learn what contract language to negotiate – and what contract language to avoid – when tackling wage-hour compliance issues. Wage and hour compliance is more important than ever before, in part because the “No Tax on Overtime” legislation creates the opportunity for problems with the IRS if an employer calculates overtime rates of pay incorrectly. Furthermore, unions are becoming more astute at training their members on important wage and hour laws. Management needs to be a step ahead of their labor counterparts. Mistakes can and have been made during contract negotiations that make payroll more difficult to calculate more expensive than anticipated, or in the worst-case scenario, create liability for public employers.
Off Duty Misconduct – They Did What? And What Can I Do About That?
Date: Morning Sessions
Location: Crystal Room
Summary
What did they post to Facebook? Who got arrested? He’s a member of what group? She gave a statement to the media? What did he say to the Village Board? They did what with a client/customer/contact from work? Public employers are often faced with challenging questions about whether and how to address like situations. This session will address what constitutes actionable off-duty conduct, the legal issues surrounding decisions to address them, and practical advice for solving problems.
Strategies and Recent Legal Developments in Public Safety Benefits Under the Pension Code and PSEBA
Date: Morning Sessions
Summary
Join us for an intensive analysis and discuss recent updates about PSEBA and disability pension law, and learn best practices for responding to Police and Fire Department employees who report workplace injuries.
Interest Arbitration for First Contract and Beyond
Date: Afternoon Session
Summary
With the legislature’s recent expansion of interest arbitration rights to non-public safety units with more than 35 employees, employers must be prepared with a comprehensive understanding of interest arbitration strategies and implications, especially as they relate to units negotiating over their first ever collective bargaining agreement. Participants will also be updated on interest arbitration trends and settlements over the last year to help prepare for effective interest arbitrations.
Ready, Set, Negotiate! The Importance and Power of Preparation
Date: Afternoon Session
Summary
Successful negotiation outcomes rarely happen by accident. Instead, meeting or exceeding bargaining goals are normally the outgrowth of strategic planning, information collection and analysis, development of a meaningful plan, followed by organized management support and measured execution at the table. Information is key, strategy is essential, and the ability to respond and react quickly with information in support of proposals is critical. However, all of this takes substantial pre-planning and thoughtful preparation throughout the process. In this session we will discuss key preparation steps such as: identifying/redefining external comparability, external comparability data and analysis, internal comparability data, and how to develop and effectively use information to achieve the best possible result in bargaining and/or to best position the employer to during impasse procedures, among other related issues.
From Performance Appraisals to Fallout: Avoiding Legal Landmines
Date: Afternoon Session
Summary
Join us for a session on an often-maligned topic. We will explore the critical aspects of conducting effective performance appraisals and, most importantly, how to adequately summarize how an employee is actually performing. We’ll also discuss best practices to mitigate liabilities, ensure fairness, and uphold compliance standards. Lastly, we’ll highlight the more sensitive issues grappled with in performance reviews and how to avoid common pitfalls that can lead to legal complications. Don’t miss it!
What Negotiators Need to Know About the FLSA (including tax implications of the Big Beautiful Bill)
Date: Afternoon Session
Summary
Learn what contract language to negotiate – and what contract language to avoid – when tackling wage-hour compliance issues. Wage and hour compliance is more important than ever before, in part because the “No Tax on Overtime” legislation creates the opportunity for problems with the IRS if an employer calculates overtime rates of pay incorrectly. Furthermore, unions are becoming more astute at training their members on important wage and hour laws. Management needs to be a step ahead of their labor counterparts. Mistakes can and have been made during contract negotiations that make payroll more difficult to calculate more expensive than anticipated, or in the worst-case scenario, create liability for public employers.
Off Duty Misconduct – They Did What? And What Can I Do About That?
Date: Afternoon Session
Location: Crystal Room
Summary
What did they post to Facebook? Who got arrested? He’s a member of what group? She gave a statement to the media? What did he say to the Village Board? They did what with a client/customer/contact from work? Public employers are often faced with challenging questions about whether and how to address like situations. This session will address what constitutes actionable off-duty conduct, the legal issues surrounding decisions to address them, and practical advice for solving problems.
Strategies and Recent Legal Developments in Public Safety Benefits Under the Pension Code and PSEBA:
Date: Afternoon Session
Summary
Join us for an intensive analysis and discuss recent updates about PSEBA and disability pension law, and learn best practices for responding to Police and Fire Department employees who report workplace injuries.
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Beyond FMLA Basics: Taking a “Deeper Dive” Into What the FMLA Requires
Date: Morning Sessions
Summary
Most employers have a basic understanding about their obligations under the Family & Medical Leave Act (FMLA). In many cases, those “basics” do not help answer more complex questions ranging from suspicions of FMLA abuse to recertification timelines to intermittent leave calculations for non-traditional work schedules (e.g., firefighters). This session will address these and other less frequent FMLA issues that confront employers.
Ready, Set, Negotiate! The Importance and Power of Preparation
Date: Morning Sessions
Summary
Successful negotiation outcomes rarely happen by accident. Instead, meeting or exceeding bargaining goals are normally the outgrowth of strategic planning, information collection and analysis, development of a meaningful plan, followed by organized management support and measured execution at the table. Information is key, strategy is essential, and the ability to respond and react quickly with information in support of proposals is critical. However, all of this takes substantial pre-planning and thoughtful preparation throughout the process. In this session we will discuss key preparation steps such as: identifying/redefining external comparability, external comparability data and analysis, internal comparability data, and how to develop and effectively use information to achieve the best possible result in bargaining and/or to best position the employer to during impasse procedures, among other related issues.
From Performance Appraisals to Fallout: Avoiding Legal Landmines
Date: Morning Sessions
Summary
Join us for a session on an often-maligned topic. We will explore the critical aspects of conducting effective performance appraisals and, most importantly, how to adequately summarize how an employee is actually performing. We’ll also discuss best practices to mitigate liabilities, ensure fairness, and uphold compliance standards. Lastly, we’ll highlight the more sensitive issues grappled with in performance reviews and how to avoid common pitfalls that can lead to legal complications. Don’t miss it!
What Negotiators Need to Know About the FLSA (including tax implications of the Big Beautiful Bill
Date: Morning Sessions
Summary
Learn what contract language to negotiate – and what contract language to avoid – when tackling wage-hour compliance issues. Wage and hour compliance is more important than ever before, in part because the “No Tax on Overtime” legislation creates the opportunity for problems with the IRS if an employer calculates overtime rates of pay incorrectly. Furthermore, unions are becoming more astute at training their members on important wage and hour laws. Management needs to be a step ahead of their labor counterparts. Mistakes can and have been made during contract negotiations that make payroll more difficult to calculate more expensive than anticipated, or in the worst-case scenario, create liability for public employers.
Off Duty Misconduct – They Did What? And What Can I Do About That?
Date: Morning Sessions
Location: Crystal Room
Summary
What did they post to Facebook? Who got arrested? He’s a member of what group? She gave a statement to the media? What did he say to the Village Board? They did what with a client/customer/contact from work? Public employers are often faced with challenging questions about whether and how to address like situations. This session will address what constitutes actionable off-duty conduct, the legal issues surrounding decisions to address them, and practical advice for solving problems.
Strategies and Recent Legal Developments in Public Safety Benefits Under the Pension Code and PSEBA
Date: Morning Sessions
Summary
Join us for an intensive analysis and discuss recent updates about PSEBA and disability pension law, and learn best practices for responding to Police and Fire Department employees who report workplace injuries.
Interest Arbitration for First Contract and Beyond
Date: Afternoon Session
Summary
With the legislature’s recent expansion of interest arbitration rights to non-public safety units with more than 35 employees, employers must be prepared with a comprehensive understanding of interest arbitration strategies and implications, especially as they relate to units negotiating over their first ever collective bargaining agreement. Participants will also be updated on interest arbitration trends and settlements over the last year to help prepare for effective interest arbitrations.
Ready, Set, Negotiate! The Importance and Power of Preparation
Date: Afternoon Session
Summary
Successful negotiation outcomes rarely happen by accident. Instead, meeting or exceeding bargaining goals are normally the outgrowth of strategic planning, information collection and analysis, development of a meaningful plan, followed by organized management support and measured execution at the table. Information is key, strategy is essential, and the ability to respond and react quickly with information in support of proposals is critical. However, all of this takes substantial pre-planning and thoughtful preparation throughout the process. In this session we will discuss key preparation steps such as: identifying/redefining external comparability, external comparability data and analysis, internal comparability data, and how to develop and effectively use information to achieve the best possible result in bargaining and/or to best position the employer to during impasse procedures, among other related issues.
From Performance Appraisals to Fallout: Avoiding Legal Landmines
Date: Afternoon Session
Summary
Join us for a session on an often-maligned topic. We will explore the critical aspects of conducting effective performance appraisals and, most importantly, how to adequately summarize how an employee is actually performing. We’ll also discuss best practices to mitigate liabilities, ensure fairness, and uphold compliance standards. Lastly, we’ll highlight the more sensitive issues grappled with in performance reviews and how to avoid common pitfalls that can lead to legal complications. Don’t miss it!
What Negotiators Need to Know About the FLSA (including tax implications of the Big Beautiful Bill)
Date: Afternoon Session
Summary
Learn what contract language to negotiate – and what contract language to avoid – when tackling wage-hour compliance issues. Wage and hour compliance is more important than ever before, in part because the “No Tax on Overtime” legislation creates the opportunity for problems with the IRS if an employer calculates overtime rates of pay incorrectly. Furthermore, unions are becoming more astute at training their members on important wage and hour laws. Management needs to be a step ahead of their labor counterparts. Mistakes can and have been made during contract negotiations that make payroll more difficult to calculate more expensive than anticipated, or in the worst-case scenario, create liability for public employers.
Off Duty Misconduct – They Did What? And What Can I Do About That?
Date: Afternoon Session
Location: Crystal Room
Summary
What did they post to Facebook? Who got arrested? He’s a member of what group? She gave a statement to the media? What did he say to the Village Board? They did what with a client/customer/contact from work? Public employers are often faced with challenging questions about whether and how to address like situations. This session will address what constitutes actionable off-duty conduct, the legal issues surrounding decisions to address them, and practical advice for solving problems.
Strategies and Recent Legal Developments in Public Safety Benefits Under the Pension Code and PSEBA:
Date: Afternoon Session
Summary
Join us for an intensive analysis and discuss recent updates about PSEBA and disability pension law, and learn best practices for responding to Police and Fire Department employees who report workplace injuries.
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