The Washburn Law Journal and the Center for Law and Government are hosting a symposium on the “Future of Labor and Employment Law: Power, Policies, and Politics” to be held on February 23, 2017. The Journal is currently seeking panelists for the symposium, as well as employment-related articles to be featured in the symposium issue (Spring 2016).
With Congress gridlocked, federal agencies are increasingly at the forefront of regulatory change in labor and employment law. Supporters of these administrative initiatives defend them as both necessary and commendable. Meanwhile, critics challenge the form, scope, and substance of these agency actions. This symposium bridges these competing viewpoints across a variety of cutting-edge labor and employment law issues.
The symposium will feature a keynote address and three panel discussions comprised of nationally recognized experts in the field:
Panel 1: The EEOC’s Expansion of Title VII to Include Sexual Orientation Discrimination
With sexual orientation and transgender issues making daily headlines, the EEOC has determined that Title VII’s sex discrimination provision goes beyond simple anatomy to include protection for gender identity and sexual orientation. This panel will discuss the rationale, implications, and judicial treatment of this interpretation.
Panel 2: Religious Freedom and Accommodation Issues Arising from Regulatory Expansions
This panel will discuss how the EEOC’s expansion of Title VII and other agency actions to expand jurisdiction over religious organizations may impact the free exercise of religion and religious accommodation in the work place. This panel will also consider the scope and limits of agency jurisdiction over religious and religiously affiliated employers.
Panel 3: The Stubborn Problem of Unpaid, Unregulated, and Illegal Labor
This panel will focus on the complications and consequences of utilizing unpaid labor with respect to interns, volunteers, and student athletes; illegal labor such as undocumented workers, forced labor, and human trafficking; and unregulated labor such as the classification of employees as independent contractors under on-demand business models. Panelists are invited to discuss the role of legislatures and administrative agencies in addressing these problems.
If you have any questions or are interested in participating in this symposium, please contact me directly. I am available anytime by email at claire.hillman@washburn.edu or phone at 785-554-5271.