Event Details

As the American workforce becomes more diverse, employers are facing more requests to accommodate employees’ religious customs practices.   And that was even before COVID vaccination and masking policies further clouded the issues.  An employer’s failure to appropriately respond to such requests can lead to EEOC charges and other complaints, and even lawsuits, from unsatisfied employees.  Attendees will learn how to recognize requests for religious accommodation, how to carefully but effectively engage in the interactive process with the requesting employee, and what the law requires of employers faced with such requests.

This seminar will be presented by Andrew Tanick and Jody Ward-Rannow.  Both are with Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C. in Minneapolis, MN

Andy Tanick has over 30 years of experience defending employment claims and helping employers develop policies and avoid litigation.  He advises businesses of all sizes on issues such as non-compete agreements, severance negotiations, and employment policies and practices, and has successfully defended cases throughout the country in areas such as discrimination, retaliation and harassment.  Andy is a frequent trainer and lecturer on numerous employment related topics, such as harassment, internal investigations, and religious accommodation.  Andy’s litigation practice also includes his defense of disability access lawsuits under Title III of the ADA and the Minnesota Human rights Act, ranging from service animal litigation to defending owners of restaurants and office buildings in increasingly common “drive-by” ADA litigation.

Jody Ward-Rannow represents large corporate clients and small local businesses in matters involving all aspects of labor and employment law, including disability, race, and gender/pregnancy discrimination claims; retaliation claims; FMLA claims; workers’ compensation retaliation claims; non-compete/non-solicitation, and unfair competition claims; breach of contract claims; and whistleblower retaliation claims.  Additionally, Jody regularly partners with HR professionals, business leaders, and/or in-house legal counsel to advise on a variety of employment issues, including employee discipline and termination, discrimination and retaliation claims, employee relations, policy drafting and revisions, supervisor training, Minnesota affirmative action reporting requirements, FMLA administration, wage/ commission payment requirements, drug testing policies, employee privacy, and other federal and state employment law issues.