Training Services

Employee and management training can be an important element of an employer's efforts to support workplace law compliance. As a prime example, harassment prevention training is strongly encouraged under federal and Washington law, both of which allow an employer to use evidence of its training and anti‑harassment policies to defend against employee harassment claims.

Karen Kruse Law provides workplace‑wide or audience‑specific training to help employers satisfy their legal obligations and reinforce their compliance policies. KKL also can offer behind‑the‑scenes support about the content of your organization's planned training, or we can "team teach" with you to include a legal perspective about the training topic.

Generally, we offer training services on a flat‑fee basis, once the firm and the client have reached a consensus about the scope and content of the particular training. Examples of issues we address include:

EEO and Harassment Prevention Training

This type of training should be provided to all workforce participants — employees, supervisors, managers and Human Resources (HR).

• Ideally, all workforce participants will attend the same basic training on this subject, even if this needs to occur in multiple sessions.
• For management and HR representatives, it is advisable to have separate specialized training about their own harassment‑prevention responsibilities, such as being aware of workplace behaviors, promptly addressing potential harassment issues or concerns, and preventing and refraining from retaliation.

Supervisory and Management Training

Wise employers train their supervisors and managers on a variety of topics:

• The employer's responsibilities to provide equal employment opportunities; to prevent discrimination, harassment and retaliation; and to reasonably accommodate employees' disabilities and religious practices.
• Wage‑hour law requirements, such as proper time recording, meal and rest period compliance, and avoiding off‑the‑clock work.
• Managing employee absence and punctuality issues without violating protected leave rights or laws against discrimination.
• Lawfully managing employee performance and conduct issues, including preparing good documentation.

Relevant HR support staff should be part of this management training, to enhance its effectiveness and to reinforce HR’s availability as a management resource when addressing employee issues or concerns.

HR Training on Complex Issues

HR can benefit from targeted training that dives deeper into more technical or challenging issues, such as:

• Disability accommodation and leave law compliance.
• Complying with wage‑hour laws: e.g.,
  • What qualifies as compensable time?
  • Who is exempt from overtime pay laws?
  • How must I compute the "regular rate of pay" for overtime pay purposes?
  • What do I need to do about employees' meal and rest break rights?
  • Can employees waive any of these rights?
• Independent contractor classification issues.
• Lawfully obtaining, using and following up on background checks.
• Conducting and documenting internal workplace investigations.
• Satisfying applicable requirements for personnel and payroll records.
• Whatever else is going on in the HR/employment law world!

For More Information

Karen Kruse Law helps employers with workers in Washington State train their people for compliance with federal, Washington State, and Washington local workplace laws. For more information about our training services, please contact KKL.