Regrettably, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, NACUA has cancelled its Spring 2020 CLE Workshop. As our number one priority is the safety and security of our workshop attendees, we had no other choice. However, in an effort to continue to provide our membership with important information regarding pressing employment law issues, we will offer a series of five webinars over the next few months addressing topics that were originally going to be presented in selected sessions of the workshop.
The faculty and staff of a college or university are vital to that institution’s ability to fulfill its mission. The development and continuation of a satisfied and productive workforce are often top priorities for institutional leadership and stakeholders. Yet, an institution’s relationship with its employees can be rife with thorny legal issues—such as the management of ADA/FMLA accommodations, an employee’s potential conflicts of interest, or Equal Pay Act claims, among others. The series will address all of these important issues and many more with which our colleges and universities are currently grappling.
The webinar series will begin with, “I Can Yell ‘Fire,’ Right?” The Practicalities of Implementing the Laws and Policies Governing Employee and Faculty Speech on Campus. Many college and university campuses strive to offer both their students and employees a safe, welcoming environment coupled with one that offers the traditionally expected “marketplace of ideas.” But, what is an institution to do when one of its employees’ public statements disrupts this careful balance? In our current cultural and political climate, institutions of higher education grapple with how to respect and preserve the free speech and academic freedom of their employees while cultivating a campus culture that is inclusive and inviting to all, and preserving the institution’s reputation. This webinar will begin with an examination of the case law governing free speech and its interplay with academic freedom. Then, it will delve into pressing, current free speech issues—such as a professor’s use of pronouns/titles in the classroom and an employee’s speech on their social media accounts— that campuses may be facing as they continue to strive for that balance.
In addition, the series will include a virtual presentation of the following workshop sessions:
- So You Think You Know Hiring? Building a Strong 21st Century Workforce
- Managing Issues on the Continuum of Leave as a Reasonable Accommodation
- From the Field to the Faculty Lounge: Understanding and Closing the Pay Gap
- Conflicts of Interest and Commitment: Why We Need to Care
Please virtually join your colleagues for this essential legal update and the opportunity to learn and ask questions through various educational sessions.
Who Should Attend?
This is an intermediate-advanced level program. Registrants will be presumed to have some familiarity and experience with higher education employment law. The program is designed for college and university counsel responsible for employment law matters, as well as campus administrators with significant responsibilities in employment law, personnel, and human resources. Registration for the webinar series is only open to NACUA members.