Hospitality Law, February 1, 2007, Vol. 22, No. 2

Copyright 2007 LRP Publications

All Rights Reserved

Hospitality Law

February 1, 2007

SECTION: Vol. 22 No. 2

HEADLINE: Immigration, labor top hospitality concerns for 2007

BODY:

Experts to explore emerging trends, issues at upcoming conference

Labor relations, employment law and immigration issues will top the agenda of the 1st Annual National HR in HospitalityTM Conference & Expo(r) March 4-7 at the Wynn Las Vegas. The convention, presented by LRP Publications in conjunction with Cornell University's School of Industrial and Labor Relations and School of Hotel Administration, will feature panel discussions presented by executives from major hotel chains, prominent employment attorneys, union leaders, and high-level educators.

"This exciting conference brings all facets of the hospitality industry as a workplace together to learn best practices in human resources, labor relations and workplace law," said Harry Katz, dean of Cornell's ILR School. "It's a 360-degree view of everything managers need to know about dealing with the complex issues facing the hospitality industry."

Esta Bigler, director of labor and employment law programs at the ILR School, will moderate a panel discussion on various legal issues affecting the workplace, from discrimination and accommodation to compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act and the National Labor Relations Act.

Attendees will learn the latest information pertaining to employment law and will also hear about ways to manage and maintain a productive and efficient workforce while complying with various employment and labor laws.

"Complying with wage and hour laws frequently presents challenges for the hospitality industry," Bigler said. Experts estimate that more than three-quarters of U.S. employers unknowingly violate wage and hour laws. But these violations, intentional or not, can lead to hefty penalties.

"The question as to who is truly exempt has changed, and it's not always easy to tell," Bigler said. "This conference will help employers figure out how to meet their FLSA obligations and their obligations on many other laws."

Other convention highlights include an opening panel discussion featuring Bruce Raynor, general president of UNITE HERE, on the state of labor relations in the hospitality industry, a luncheon address sharing a CEO's perspective on HR in the hospitality industry presented by Starwood Hotels and Resorts CEO Steven Heyer, and a closing keynote address from Arte Nathan, previously the senior vice president of human resources at Wynn Resorts Ltd., covering the company's exemplary HR initiatives.

Presenters will feature programs on developing innovative health care and wellness programs, making reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act and Title VII, and creating a cohesive unit from a diverse workforce.

"This isn't just a human resources conference, and it's not just an employment law conference - it really addresses the workplace as a whole," Bigler said. "This convention will bring together all of these different disciplines to look at the hospitality industry and how it functions. There will be an incredible amount of information that attendees can take back with them and use at their workplaces."