Daily News

Speaker Series Highlights Effective Hiring Decisions

GREENFIELD — Skoler, Abbott & Presser, P.C., a leading labor- and employment-law firm serving the Greater Springfield area, announced that partner Susan Fentin will address attendees of the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce “Wake-Up Wednesday,” series on Wednesday, May 6 from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. at Greenfield Community College, 270 Main St., Greenfield, first floor.

Fentin, alongside Lisa DeLisle, Human Resources director at Mayhew Steel Products and Deerfield Packaging, will discuss best practices for employers conducting job interviews.

“Employers want to make the best decisions possible when hiring new employees,” said Fentin. “It’s imperative that employers understand not only how to put their interviewee at ease, but also how to make the most of the time they have to spend with their potential new hire. I encourage both Franklin County Chamber members and non-members to take advantage of this opportunity to learn about the legal aspects of the interview process.”

Several federal and Massachusetts laws limit what employers can ask during the interview process, including questions about an applicant’s age, gender, national origin, disability, or any other questions related to a person’s protected status that are not directly related to the qualifications for the position. Fentin and DeLisle will address the entire interview process — from the time the candidate walks through the door to the extended job offer. The presentation will include the legal aspects of the interviewing process as well as provide informative, real-life examples of situations they have encountered. The presentation will conclude with a question-and-answer session for attendees to learn more.

The event is free and open to the public, but seating is limited. Coffee and light refreshments will be provided. For reservations, visit www.gcc.mass.edu/wakeup, call (413) 586-6506, or e-mail [email protected].

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. Since 2010, she has been ranked as one of the top labor and employment attorneys in the state of Massachusetts by the prestigious Chambers USA rating firm.

DeLisle holds both the PHR (professional in human resources) and SHRM-CP (certified professional) designations from the Human Resources Certification Institute and the Society of Human Resources Management. She has spent the majority of her career in therapeutic education. She has spent the past three years as the director of Human Resources for Mayhew Steel Products, the global leader in punch and chisel manufacturing.