2008 ASA Legal Symposium and Capitol Hill Day Recap

Amid talk of presidential politics, staffing firm owners and executives from across the country came together in Washington, DC, on April 16, to take part in the ASA Legal Symposium and Capitol Hill Day.

Two representatives from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce kicked things off. Marc Freedman provided an overview of some bills that are currently before the Senate and that could affect staffing firms. He emphasized the purpose of the event: "The real currency here is information. You have a story to tell. If you don't tell it, someone else will." James Gelfand discussed the state of health care reform on Capitol Hill, noting that while some minor changes are being discussed, major reform is not likely to take place in an election year.

Attorneys Sam McAdam and Gerald Maatman Jr., partners at Seyfarth Shaw LLP, gave presentations covering two topics of growing concern to staffing firms across the country: meal and rest break obligations, and background check laws.

McAdam explained that employers are becoming more concerned about their obligations in the wake of significant class action lawsuits over wage and hour disputes. In a story that illustrates the complexity of the issue, McAdam discussed a Pennsylvania court decision that awarded employees millions of dollars in a wage and hour dispute, even though there was no law in that state specifying meal and rest periods.

Maatman provided an in-depth look at the area of background checks, listing which states have laws regarding the use of the material contained in the checks and describing the implications of negligent hiring and retention lawsuits.

Charlie Cook, regarded as one of the most astute impartial analysts of the Washington political scene, led a rousing and informative preview of the 2008 elections. Cook shared his thoughts about which party will control Congress in 2009, how the nomination process has played out so far for both parties, and why he believes the 2008 presidential election will be one of the closest in history.

Attorney Helen Konrad of McCandlish Holton PC provided an update on E-Verify, Form I-9 compliance, and immigration reform on the state level.

ASA legal staff offered a comprehensive overview of current federal and state priorities that could affect the staffing industry, which included such issues as immigration, health care reform, and paid sick leave.

Contact
Toby Malara
Government Affairs Counsel
703-253-2027
tmalara@americanstaffing.net