Out of the Closet and Into Your Workplace: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and the Law
Legal protections continue to emerge for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) employees. Employers seeking to create a LGBT inclusive workplace face a number of challenges ranging from effectively managing employee relations issues to designing inclusive benefits plans. This session will provide an overview of recent legal developments impacting LGBT employees, including the EEOC’s Title VII ruling on gender identity and the Supreme Court’s Marriage Decisions. Cohen will discuss the top compliance challenges for employers and provide practical guidance on developing and implementing workplace policies and practices that address needs and concerns specific to LGBT workers, including those relating to harassment and bullying prevention, gender identity- appropriate restroom access, confidentiality and more.
Michael S. Cohen, J.D.
Michael S. Cohen is a partner in Duane Morris’ Employment, Labor, Benefits and Immigration Practice Group. Michael concentrates his practice in the areas of employment law training and counseling. He has trained and counseled employers throughout the country on subjects including harassment prevention; diversity, equity and inclusion; combatting implicit bias; performance management; discipline and discharge; hiring and recruiting practices; performance evaluations; FMLA, ADA and FLSA compliance; leave of absence policies; LGBTQ+ issues in the workplace; substance abuse testing; workplace violence; records retention; conducting background checks; and more. Michael also has conducted investigations into claims of harassment and discrimination and has drafted employee handbooks, employment agreements, non-compete agreements and post-termination agreements. Michael regularly conducts in excess of 200 trainings each year. He has represented clients throughout the country in EEO and other administrative proceedings.
Michael has been cited as a national authority on employment issues by The New York Times, The Associated Press, USA Today, MSNBC.com, HR Magazine, SHRM On-Line, Employment Law 360, Inside Counsel Magazine, as well as many other publications. Michael serves as an Advisory Board Member of GenHERation and as a Board Member of Serve, Inc. Michael is a 1997 magna cum laude graduate of Temple University Beasley School of Law and a cum laude graduate of the University of Pennsylvania.