Performance Evaluations and
Hiring for Success
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See cancelation policy at the end of this announcement.
Managing performance is one of the most important responsibilities of a manager. When done well, both the employee and the organization benefit. Yet many question whether the standard annual performance evaluation is helpful: some in the business world argue that it is too one –sided, too subjective, and too stressful. This session will focus on how to best evaluate employee performance through teamwork, constructive criticism and feedback, improving the annual performance review process, and effective and justifiable discipline. Performance management begins with effective hiring, so this session will also identify key considerations in the hiring process.
Topics will include: using a background investigation effectively; avoiding discrimination complaints in the hiring process; how to effectively manage performance throughout the year through constructive feedback both positive and negative; determining whether performance evaluations are working for your agency and how the process can be improved; and the critical importance of documentation.
Speakers/Presenters:
Ruth Graf-Urasaki:
Ruth Graf-Urasaki joined Bickmore Risk Services as a Litigation Manager and Consultant in 2008. As Litigation Manager, Ruth manages the employment law claims for an Employment Practices Liability pool consisting of more than 160 cities and special districts. In her capacity as a consultant, Ruth assists public and private entity clients in their efforts to develop professional workplace cultures where employees can thrive. In addition to her consulting work, Ruth also tailors training programs that meet the specific needs of private and public sector clients. Training includes all aspects of employment practices, from harassment and discrimination prevention to hiring and firing best practices.
Recognized for her strong professional competence and real world experience, Ruth's areas of practice include representing clients in state and federal court employment litigation, administrative procedures before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and Fair Employment and Housing Commission, disciplinary matters, and administrative hearings. Prior to joining BRS, she was with Liebert Cassidy Whitmore.
A popular public speaker, Ruth holds a JD from the University of Wisconsin Law School, and graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, with a BA in history.
Connie C. Almond
Connie Almond represents Liebert Cassidy Whitmore clients including cities, counties, school and community college districts in litigation, administrative proceedings, and grievances. Connie has successfully represented public agencies in litigation cases in both federal and state courts. She also routinely advises and counsels clients in a variety of employment topics, such as harassment, retaliation, discrimination, employee discipline, due process, Family and Medical Care Leave Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Public Safety Officers Procedural Bill of Rights Act, and the Firefighters Procedural Bill of Rights Act.
A noted presenter, Connie has provided training for many of the firm's clients through consortiums and customized training programs on such topics as the Family and Medical Care Leave Act, California Family Rights Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, labor relations, performance evaluations, the Firefighters Procedural Bill of Rights Act, harassment, discrimination and retaliation.
Connie earned her Juris Doctorate from Pepperdine University School of Law, where she graduated cum laude and was an associate editor of the Pepperdine Law Review. She also served as a teaching assistant in legal research and writing. She earned her Bachelor’s of Arts in Political Economy of Industrial Societies from the University of California, Berkeley.