The Faith-Friendly Workplace: A Heavenly Place to Work or a Hotbed of Discrimination?

In today’s political climate, more and more employees are demanding accommodation for prayer and time off for religious observances, requesting religious affinity groups and adding religious slogans to their e-mail. A growing number of employers not only allow, but support, religious activities in the workplace. Is this a new religious resurgence, or just a vocal few demanding their rights? How far must employers go to satisfy their legal obligation to accommodate employees' religious observances?

Protecting the rights of all employees can be a delicate balance. This two hour complimentary program promises to be a lively, informative session and should not be missed.

Speakers include:

• Bertrand Pogrebin – a shareholder in Littler’s New York office. Mr. Pogrebin advises and represents many public and fortune 500 private sector employers throughout the country on labor relations and employment law issues. His practice focuses on corporate compliance with the anti-discrimination laws, National Labor Relations Act, union negotiations, labor arbitration and long term workforce strategies including plant moves, consolidations, mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Pogrebin has taught labor and employment law at Yale Law School, NYU School of Law and Hofstra Law School.
• Dudley Rochelle – a Littler shareholder and leading authority on religious issues in the workplace. Ms. Rochelle handles litigation and represents clients in various areas of employment and labor law, including employment discrimination, religious harassment, wrongful discharge, safety and health, wage and hour, class and collective actions, employment contracts, unfair competition, leave and benefits entitlements, government contracting, affirmative action, and alternative dispute resolution.
• Marc Wurzel, Esq. – Mr. Wurzel of Grand Central Partnership has served as General Counsel since 1999, and more recently as Assistant Secretary of the Corporation. Before joining GCP, Mr. Wurzel served in a variety of governmental positions including Special Counsel, Minority Leader of the City Council; Chief of Staff, New York City Department of Consumer Affairs and Department of Finance and Deputy Director of Communications, New York State Department of Law.

*Please also direct all requests for special accommodations to Lisa Bachner.

This program has been approved for 2.0 hours of CLE credit.

There is no charge for this program.