Creating an LGBTQ-Friendly Workplace—Emerging Developments and Challenges
Legal protections continue to change for LGBTQ employees. Employers seeking to create an LGBTQ-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 LGBTQ employees. It will also examine 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 LGBTQ workers, including those relating to harassment and bullying prevention, gender identity-appropriate restroom access, confidentiality, and more. In this session, you will:
- Examine the changes in employment laws relating to LGBTQ employees and their impact on organizational policies, procedures and practices.
- Discuss how the emerging developments impact an organization’s ability to maintain an LGBTQ-friendly workplace.]
- Discuss issues related to potential conflict between religious beliefs and LGBTQ priorities.
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.