2026 November Half Day Workshop

Join us for our annual Half-Day Workshop!

Date/Time: Thursday November 12th | 7:30am - 1:00pm | Breakfast & Lunch Included

Location: Holiday Inn Bellingham | 4260 Mitchell Way

Planned Programming:

7:30am - Check in and breakfast

8:00am - Welcome and announcements

8:15am - "Wage and Hour Update" featuring Megan Masonholder

          -Recent Legislative Developments Affecting Pay Practices

          -Overview of Current Salary Thresholds and Exempt Employee Classifications

           -LNI Regulatory Updates for Enforcement of Wage Complaints

           -Record Keeping Recommendations

           -Overtime and Hours Worked Definitions to Determine Regular Rate of Pay

           -Independent Contractor Classification and Definition

           -Checklist of Internal Audit and Compliance 

9:15am - Break

9:30am - "A Hitchhicker's Guide to Other Pesky Employment Law Developments" featuring Jeffrey Fairchild, Ian McCurdy, and Rita Thomas

           -Modern Disability Analysis. The team will review a method for handling
disability situations (of all sorts) in light of recent decisions and leave law
changes.

           -Significant Case Law. We will outline meaningful federal and state case law in a speed dating format.

           -Question Roulette. This is the exciting part. We will take any and all
questions from the audience on any employment law topic based on a
spin of what we call Wheel of Legal (Mis)fortune.

10:30am - Break

10:45am - "Conducting a Workplace Investigation" featuring Beth Touschner

          -This presentation provdes HR Professionals with practical tools and step-by-step instructions for conducting prompt, unbiased, thorough, and legally defensible workplace investigations.  Participants will learn how to assess complaints, plan an investigation, interview witnesses, gather and evaluate evidence, make findings, and close out the investigation.  The presentation will focus on best practices to support compliance and maintain workplace trust.  A short Q&A is included at the end of the presentation.

11:45am - Lunch and networking

YWCA Winter Clothing & Professional Attire Drive:  See graphic below for details!

Raffle:  We will be raffling off various gifts, and all proceeds go to the SHRM Foundation.  Tickets are $1 each or 12 tickets for $10.  To purchase your raffle tickets early, go to Donate to SHRM and purchase your tickets. 

Proudly Sponsored By:

The Bellingham Regional Chamber of Commerce has contributed to the success of the local business community for over 110 years. As a not-for-profit organization, the chamber provides value to its members by promoting their businesses, hosting programs and events that encourage peer connection, facilitating educational opportunities and advocating for policies that bring about positive change in Whatcom County. The chamber also serves as a catalyst in our community through its efforts to convene leaders and influencers in ways that drive growth.

Edward Jones is focusing on helping HR leaders gain a clearer understanding of 401(k) plans and what the forthcoming Washington Saves Act could mean for their organization.

IDDAC’s mission is to advocate and bring awareness to a range of intellectual and developmental disabilities and bring a sense of belonging, accessibility, and inclusion to the community. One of our goals is to educate and invite the business community to learn how they can be more accessible to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.