Employer Advisory Council of Orange County, Inc.

Q3 Hotline Confessions: The Untold Stories Behind Real Workplace Issues
2026-07-23 09:30 - 11:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Online Webinar
Every quarter, California employers bring their toughest, strangest, and most surprising HR challenges to the EAC Hotline — and Q3 is when things really heat up. From attendance nightmares to leave abuse, social media drama to policy loopholes, this session pulls back the curtain on the real-life scenarios HR is wrestling with right now.
In HR Confessions, our employment law experts reveal the most compelling hotline cases of the quarter — what employers got wrong, how the attorneys advised, and what every organization can learn to avoid similar pitfalls.
What You’ll Learn:

Jaw-dropping, real-world HR scenarios and how they were resolved
Compliance corrections and policy updates you should make now
Practical tips to prevent headlines, claims, and chaos

Who Should Attend:HR professionals, managers, business owners, and anyone responsible for workplace decisions and compliance.
You’ll laugh, you’ll learn — and you’ll leave better prepared.

Leaves of Absence Essentials: Navigating Time Off with Confidence and Compliance
2026-08-13 09:30 - 11:00
Managing employee leaves can feel like navigating a maze of overlapping laws, conflicting obligations, and operational pressures. From FMLA and CFRA to ADA and Pregnancy Disability Leave, California employers must balance empathy with compliance — all while keeping business operations running smoothly.
This essential program brings clarity to one of HR’s most complex topics. Our employment law experts will break down the latest legal updates, walk you through real-world case studies, and equip you with tools to handle leave requests confidently and consistently. Whether you manage a small team or oversee a large workforce, you’ll leave with practical strategies to simplify leave management and reduce risk.

What You’ll Learn

Master the Alphabet Soup: Understand how FMLA, CFRA, ADA, and PDL intersect — and where they don’t.

New for 2026: Legislative updates and emerging trends impacting leave administration.

Documentation & Tracking: Build compliant processes for requests, certifications, and return-to-work.

Avoid Common Pitfalls: Learn how missteps in leave decisions lead to lawsuits — and how to prevent them.

Balancing Compassion with Compliance: Support your employees while safeguarding your organization.

Who Should Attend
HR professionals, supervisors, business owners, payroll and benefits administrators, and anyone responsible for handling leave requests or ensuring legal compliance in the workplace.

Lead with Impact: Mastering the Art of Managing Employees
2026-09-17 09:30 - 11:00
From Expectations to Accountability — Build Stronger Teams in 2026
Effective employee management isn’t about authority — it’s about alignment, communication, and trust. In today’s workplace, managers must navigate performance, personality, remote dynamics, and legal boundaries while keeping teams engaged and productive. This webinar delivers practical strategies and real-world tools to help leaders manage with confidence, clarity, and consistency.
What We’ll Cover:

Setting clear expectations and driving accountability
Coaching through conflict and difficult conversations
Balancing empathy with performance standards
Legal do’s and don’ts every manager must know
How to build retention through recognition and feedback

Who Should Attend:Supervisors, managers, HR professionals, team leads, and executives who want to strengthen leadership skills and elevate team performance.
Great management isn’t accidental — it’s a competitive advantage. Give your leaders the tools to inspire, engage, and retain top talent.

Stay or Go? How Creative Recognition Keeps Your Best People
2026-10-08 09:30 - 11:00
Smart Strategies to Boost Loyalty, Morale & Performance
Retention isn’t about perks — it’s about people feeling seen, valued, and inspired to stay. In today’s competitive talent market, employers must rethink how they recognize and reward employees beyond paychecks and plaques. This program explores innovative, budget-friendly recognition strategies that build connection, strengthen culture, and turn employees into long-term champions of your organization.
What You’ll Learn:

Fresh ideas for meaningful recognition that employees actually want
Low-cost, high-impact ways to boost morale and engagement
How to personalize rewards for different generations & work styles
The link between recognition, retention, and performance
Real-world examples from companies doing it right

Who Should Attend:HR leaders, managers, supervisors, culture champions, and anyone responsible for developing and retaining talent.
If your best employees are quietly disengaging or planning their exit — it’s time to rethink recognition. Creativity is your new retention strategy.

Q4 Hotline Confessions: Year-End Lessons from the Hotline
2026-10-22 09:30 - 11:00
The Biggest Risks, Wildest Cases & Must-Fix Mistakes Before 2027
As the year comes to a close, the hotline has heard it all — policy blind spots, leave mishaps, termination disasters, and the “you won’t believe this happened” moments every HR professional dreads. In this Q4 edition of HR Confessions, we reveal the most impactful and eye-opening cases of the year, along with the legal guidance that helped employers avoid costly consequences.
This candid, year-end session isn’t just about stories — it’s about solutions. Learn how to close compliance gaps, strengthen your policies, and reset standards before the new year begins.
What You’ll Take Away:

The most surprising real HR cases from 2026
Red flags employers missed — and how to catch them early
Legal insights and policy fixes straight from employment attorneys
A year-end checklist to protect your organization in 2027

Who Should Attend:HR leaders, business owners, managers, and anyone responsible for compliance, risk, or people management.
End the year wiser, stronger, and ready for what’s next. Every confession is a lesson.

Wage & Hour Wake-Up Call: Avoid the Compliance Crisis
2026-11-19 09:30 - 11:00
Overtime, Meal Breaks, Final Pay — Get It Right Before It Costs You
Wage and hour mistakes are the most common — and most expensive — compliance errors employers face. In California, one miscalculated break, late paycheck, or misclassified employee can trigger penalties, lawsuits, and PAGA claims. Our annual Wage & Hour program is your final compliance checkpoint, delivering clarity on the latest rules and real guidance to protect your organization.
Led by top employment law experts, this session breaks down high-risk areas like overtime calculations, remote work tracking, independent contractor status, pay transparency, and meal/rest break compliance — with practical examples you can apply immediately.
What You’ll Learn:

New wage & hour regulations and court rulings affecting your business
Common payroll and break period mistakes — and how to fix them
Best practices for timekeeping, remote work, and final pay
Misclassification risks: employee vs. contractor vs. exempt

Who Should Attend:HR professionals, payroll managers, business owners, and anyone responsible for compensation compliance.
One mistake can cost thousands. One session can save you from it.

Hire Without Regret: Mastering the Modern Hiring Process
2026-12-03 09:30 - 11:00
From Job Post to Day One — Find, Vet & Keep the Right People
A strong hiring process doesn’t start with an interview — it starts with strategy. In today’s competitive market, employers must balance speed with compliance, culture with qualification, and legal guardrails with gut instinct. This program walks you through every step of a legally sound, high-impact hiring process designed to attract top talent while minimizing risk.
Whether you’re refining your recruiting pipeline or rebuilding it from scratch, this session offers practical tools and real-world strategies to help you hire smarter — not faster.
What You’ll Learn:

Best practices for compliant job postings, interviews, and offer letters
Legal pitfalls to avoid — salary history, AI screening, bias & ban-the-box rules
Behavioral interviewing techniques that reveal true fit
How to create a candidate experience that boosts your employer brand
Turning great hires into great onboarding

Who Should Attend:HR professionals, hiring managers, recruiters, business owners, and anyone involved in talent selection or onboarding.
The cost of a bad hire is high. The value of a great hire is priceless. Get the process right.
