Now’s the time to arm yourself with the tools you need to succeed, to help your business flourish in the Brave New World of HR in 2009.

In this time of unprecedented change, you need, now more than ever, solid information. Informed advice. Practical tips from the experts who know your industry—and your state—best.

You’ll learn:

• The new California and federal laws, court cases, and regulations you need to know about—including the looming threat of EFCA
• How to conduct a thorough workplace investigation, step by step
• What to do about problem employees who make your life miserable—and how to keep the stars you can’t afford to lose
• How to determine whether a given job is properly classified as exempt or nonexempt
• What to do when legal is telling you to do something that has no bearing on the real world of your workplace
• How to handle inevitable layoffs and RIFs the right way
• The best recordkeeping practices to make sure nothing slips through the cracks
• How to master confusing state and federal wage/hour rules, including the latest on meal and rest periods
• And much more!

You’ve probably attended other conferences where sessions ended just as things were getting good. You won’t have that problem at our conferences. Our workshops run for three full hours, and our conference sessions last an in-depth hour and a half—plenty of time to get into the real nitty-gritty of what you need to know, with time to get your questions answered.

Our instructors—top employment lawyers from around the state—know the ins and outs of the law in these areas, including the up-to-the-minute changes you need to be on top of. This conference presents a unique opportunity to learn from both these experts and your peers in an intensive setting—and get answers to the specific questions that have been keeping you up at night.

All sessions assume a high level of pre-existing knowledge and are designed for the experienced HR professional who wants to stay on the cutting edge of the HR profession. We won’t waste your time on basic review or stale news. We also won’t waste your time on rules and laws that don’t apply to HR professionals in California—all of our sessions are specifically tailored to be state-specific.

You may be wondering if you can afford to attend an HR conference this year. The truth is, you can’t afford not to.

Important laws are changing left and right, and increasingly disgruntled employees mean increasing numbers of lawsuits. If you steer clear of even one employee lawsuit through the information and expert advice you’ll pick up at CELU, the conference more than pays for itself many times over. Not to mention the fact that you’ll be well-equipped to handle any other curveballs thrown your way.

Space is limited, so sign up now.

Keynote: The Biggest Risks for HR in a Down Economy – and How To Protect Yourself Speaker: Allison West, Esq., SPHR, Employment Practices Specialists LLC Description: It’s no secret that the economy is in trouble. But what many HR professionals don’t realize is that troubled times can mean big trouble for employers – in the form of desperate employees (and former employees), increased bias allegations, and bet-the-company wage/hour lawsuits. When employees feel they have nothing to lose, you as an employer stand to lose a great deal. The good news, however, is that there are steps you can take to protect yourself. Join us for this can’t-miss keynote address, as Allison West, Esq., SPHR – an experienced and in-demand consultant, speaker, and trainer who presented at SHRM’s annual conference earlier this year – explains precisely why the stakes are so high for you right now, and how you can proactively build your defenses.