Daily News

Employment-law Expert to Host Human Services Forum Event

SPRINGFIELD — Skoler, Abbott & Presser, P.C., an employment-law firm serving the Greater Springfield area, announced that partner Susan Fentin will host a presentation regarding recent developments in the area of labor and employment law as part of the Human Services Forum (HSF) training series.

The half-day presentation will take place on Oct. 23 from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the Crowne Plaza in Pittsfield. The presentation, titled “Something Old, Something New,” will cover a number of recent developments in the area of labor and employment law, including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s new enforcement guidance on the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, which was issued in July.

“The EEOC’s guidance contains a summary of the existing law, which is not actually new information but is an important reminder of employers’ obligations under this statute,” said Fentin. “Additionally, the guidance also includes some surprising interpretations of the law that may alleviate potential issues for employers with pregnant workers.”

Fentin will also cover recent Massachusetts legislation affecting employers, including the Bay State’s new domestic violence leave law, changes to the state’s minimum wage, and new rights for domestic workers. The program will allot a substantial amount of time for attendees to ask questions. The event is $55 for HSF members and $65 for non-members; the fee includes continental breakfast. Registration for the event can be completed online at humanservicesforum.org.

Fentin has been a partner at the firm since 2004. Her practice concentrates on labor and employment counseling, advising large and small employers on their responsibilities and obligations under state and federal employment laws, and representing employers before state and federal agencies and in court. She speaks frequently to employer groups, conducts training on avoiding problems in employment law, and teaches master classes on both the FMLA and ADA. She is routinely named as a Super Lawyer and, since 2010, has been ranked as one of the top labor and employment attorneys in Massachusetts by the prestigious Chambers USA rating firm.

The Human Service Forum was founded in 1986 as an association of nonprofit and public agencies as well as individuals providing human services in the Pioneer Valley. The forum was envisioned by its founders to be a vehicle for communicating the important contributions of human services to quality of life in Pioneer Valley communities, and for members to network, address problems of mutual concern, and discuss major trends and changes impacting human services.