[Event] Employment Law Symposium – August 28th, Richmond, VA – JD Supra

Richmond Employment Law Symposium Report

Event Overview

• Date: August 28th, 2025
• Time: 9:00 AM – 1:45 PM EST
• Location: Hilton Richmond Hotel & Spa/Short Pump, 12042 West Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23233

Symposium Objectives and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This symposium is designed to provide employers with practical strategies for navigating the dynamic landscape of employment law. The event focuses on ensuring legal compliance and fostering equitable workplace environments, directly contributing to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

By promoting fair labor practices and adherence to legal standards, the symposium supports:

• SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): Empowering organizations to create safe, secure, and decent work environments.
• SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): Providing guidance on preventing discrimination and ensuring equitable treatment for all employees.
• SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions): Strengthening corporate governance and accountability through compliance with the rule of law.

Professional Development and Certification

Attendees are eligible to receive up to 3 credit hours toward PHR and SPHR recertification via the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI) and Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for the SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCPA. This commitment to continuous education reinforces professional competency in upholding ethical and sustainable employment practices.

Program Schedule

1. 8:30 – 9:00 AM: Registration and Continental Breakfast
   • Participant check-in and networking opportunity.
2. 9:00 – 9:30 AM: Opening Session
   • An overview of the symposium’s agenda and workshop objectives will be presented.
3. 9:30 – 10:30 AM: Morning Session I: Foundational Employment Law
   • This workshop will cover fundamental principles of federal and Virginia employment laws.
   • SDG Alignment: This session establishes a baseline for compliance, directly supporting SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by ensuring employers understand their legal obligations regarding fair labor practices.
4. 10:45 – 11:45 AM: Morning Session II: Effective Employment Policies
   • This session will focus on drafting and updating employment policies to comply with new legal requirements. It will differentiate between mandatory and recommended policies.
   • SDG Alignment: By addressing policy development, this session promotes the creation of inclusive frameworks that advance SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), while reinforcing the principles of SDG 8 (Decent Work).
5. 12:00 – 12:45 PM: Luncheon
6. 12:45 – 1:45 PM: Afternoon Session: Discipline and Discharge Procedures
   • This session will detail best practices for managing employee discipline and termination to mitigate legal risks and prevent claims.
   • SDG Alignment: Focuses on procedural fairness and lawful conduct, contributing to SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) by ensuring just and accountable processes within organizations. It also upholds SDG 8 (Decent Work) by protecting employees from arbitrary dismissal.

Registration Information

• Fee: $195 per attendee. The fee includes all seminar materials, a certificate of completion, refreshments, breakfast, and lunch.
• Payment: VISA, MasterCard, Discover, or checks payable to Kaufman & Canoles are accepted.
• Registration Deadline: One week prior to the seminar date. Cancellations received one week prior to the event are eligible for a refund.
• Contact: For registration or inquiries, please email davina.applewhite@kaufCAN.com or call 757.624.3232.

Analysis of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The article’s central theme is an “Employment Law Symposium” designed to educate employers on legal compliance, fair practices, and creating stable work environments. This directly relates to promoting decent work.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: Employment laws, particularly those enforced by bodies like the EEOC mentioned in the article, are fundamental to reducing workplace inequalities by ensuring fair treatment and preventing discrimination.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: The symposium promotes the rule of law within corporate institutions. By teaching employers how to comply with legal frameworks and avoid disputes (“avoid EEOC claims and potential litigation”), it contributes to building more just and accountable business practices.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 8.8: Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers. The symposium’s focus on “federal and Virginia employment laws” and providing “legal and practical ways for employers to avoid potential liability” directly supports the protection of labor rights and the creation of legally secure work environments.
• Target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices. The session on “Discipline & Discharge” aims to help employers “avoid EEOC claims,” which are often related to discriminatory practices. The session on “Effective Employment Policies” also addresses the need to update policies in line with new laws, which often aim to ensure equal opportunity.
• Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all. The event is designed to increase compliance with the rule of law (employment law) at the organizational level. By educating on best practices to “avoid potential litigation,” it promotes a system where legal standards are upheld, preventing the need for formal legal disputes.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for Target 8.8: The number of individuals receiving professional development in labor law. The article states that “Attendees can also earn up to 3 credit hours toward PHR and SPHR recertification… and PDCs toward the SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCPA.” The number of attendees and the credits they earn serve as a direct indicator of educational outreach on labor rights and compliance.
• Indicator for Target 10.3: The adoption of compliant and non-discriminatory employment policies. The session “Effective Employment Policies” focuses on how to “draft and update effective employment policies.” The number of participating companies that subsequently update their policies would be a measure of progress.
• Indicator for Target 16.3: Frequency of labor disputes and litigation. The article explicitly mentions that a key goal is to “avoid EEOC claims and potential litigation.” A reduction in such claims among participating companies would be a direct indicator of success in promoting the rule of law within these institutions.

4. Summary Table of Findings

Source: jdsupra.com