Last Tuesday of Each Month
(January - October)
Online Zoom Conference
12:00 - 1:00 pm MT
About the Series
Build your leadership, management, and HR skills while staying compliant with Montana and federal laws. Topics include:
Wrongful Discharge Act
Wage & Hour Law
Payroll Liabilities
Benefits
Employment Classifications
Hiring
FMLA & ADA
and much more!
2026 Series Lineup
February 24
Termination & Documentation Done Right: Protecting Your Organization
​
“If it’s not written down, it didn’t happen and you don’t have good cause.”
Summary: Proper documentation is the strongest defense against claims of unfair treatment, discrimination, or wrongful discharge.
Objectives:
-
Utilizing the Probationary Period in Montana
-
Discipline That Works. Communication basics for supervising effectively.
-
Differentiate between coaching and discipline
-
Steps to Establish Good Cause
-
Learn what makes documentation legally sound
March 17
Wage & Hour Compliance
​
“Stay compliant. Stay confident.”
Summary: Payroll and wage administration can be one of the most complex—and risky—areas for any employer. This practical training breaks down what every HR professional, manager, and payroll staff member needs to know to keep your organization compliant and your employees paid correctly.
Objectives:
-
Exempt vs. non-exempt classifications — and common mistakes
-
Calculating overtime and managing comp time correctly
-
Calculating Bonuses with Overtime
-
Handling travel time, on-call time, and training pay
-
Avoiding costly penalties and employee complaints
April 28
Managing Performance & Conduct Under the ADA: What Every Supervisor Should Know
​
“Supervisors can enforce consistent performance standards while staying compliant with the ADA.”
Summary: Supervisors play a critical role in balancing employee performance expectations with legal obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Rehabilitation Act. This training provides practical guidance on how to manage performance and conduct issues fairly, consistently, and in compliance with federal law. Participants will learn how to identify when an accommodation may be appropriate, how to handle disability-related performance concerns, and how to communicate effectively and legally in sensitive situations.
Objectives:
-
Differentiate between coaching and discipline
-
Apply a step-by-step discipline options
-
Deliver corrective feedback effectively
-
Communication basics for supervising effectively
May 26
Handling Employee Complaints: How to Respond, Investigate, and Escalate Properly
​
“Respond with confidence, not confusion.”
Summary: Complaints must be handled quickly and fairly to avoid liability and mistrust. Supervisors are the first line of response.
Objectives:
-
What “qualified individual with a disability” means
-
When and how a disability may impact performance or behavior
-
Recognizing the signs that an accommodation discussion may be needed
-
Real-world examples based on EEOC cases
June 23
Attendance Issues: Employees Using & Abusing Timecards
​
“How to Tackle Timecard Trouble with Confidence.”
Summary: From “buddy punching” to creative clock-ins, attendance issues can drain productivity, damage morale, and create legal headaches. This practical, solutions-focused training dives into how to identify, document, and address timecard abuse before it becomes a bigger problem.
Objectives:
-
What absences may be legally protected
-
Common forms of timecard abuse—and how to spot the warning signs early
-
How to document patterns and address attendance concerns fairly and consistently
-
Coaching and disciplinary strategies that reinforce accountability without escalating conflict
July 28
“The Bermuda Triangle of Leave Laws”
​
“How to Navigate ADA, FMLA & Workers’ Comp Without Getting Lost.”
Summary: When employee medical issues arise, HR and management often find themselves drifting into the confusing waters where the ADA, FMLA, and Workers’ Compensation overlap. This training will help you chart a clear course through this complex intersection of laws—so you can stay compliant, compassionate, and confident.
Objectives:
-
How to determine which laws apply (and when)
-
The key differences between ADA, FMLA, and Workers’ Compensation — and where they overlap
-
Step-by-step guidance for managing employee medical issues from report to return-to-work
-
How to coordinate benefits, documentation, and communication legally and efficiently
-
Practical do’s and don’ts for handling extended leave, accommodation requests, and medical restrictions
-
Common pitfalls that lead to costly compliance errors — and how to avoid them
August 25
Diving Deeper: Understanding FMLA & ADA
​
“How to Handle Employee Leave and Accommodation Requests with Confidence.”
Summary: The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) often collide in complicated, confusing ways. This in-depth training goes beyond the basics to help you confidently manage overlapping employee leave and accommodation situations — while staying compliant, fair, and consistent.
Objectives:
-
The key differences and connections between FMLA and ADA
-
How to determine when each law applies — and when both do
-
Handling extended leave requests: when FMLA ends but ADA still applies
-
How to evaluate and document reasonable accommodation requests
-
Managing medical certifications, return-to-work restrictions, and interactive processes
-
Real-world examples of what courts and regulators look for in compliance cases
-
Policy and communication best practices that protect both employees and the organization
September 29
When Personal Issues Spill into Work: Supporting Employees Without Overstepping
​
“Compassion with boundaries.”
Summary: Supervisors often encounter personal issues affecting work. This training explores how to support employees while maintaining professional boundaries.
Objectives:
-
Recognize when personal issues affect job performance
-
When they might be legally protected “personal issues”
-
Absence problems
-
Medical issues affecting work
-
Provide support without becoming over-involved
-
Know when and how to refer employees to HR or resources
October 27
Respect in the Workplace: Building a Culture Free of Gossip, Bullying, and Incivility
​
“Stop drama before it starts.”
Summary: Gossip, bullying, and incivility harm morale and increase turnover. Leaders play a key role in setting the tone for respect.
Objectives:
-
Identify toxic workplace behaviors early
-
Use strategies to stop gossip and bullying
-
Model respectful communication as a leader
-
Conduct at work is hard to address and oftentimes it is your top “performer”...
January 27
Navigating Pay, Payroll Issues & Worker Classification in Montana
​
“Get it right before the Department of Labor comes knocking.”
Summary: Supervisors and HR often make payroll/timecard errors, misclassify workers, creating legal and financial risk. This session clarifies the rules under Montana and federal law.
Objectives:
-
Understand key factors in worker classification
-
When do I have to legally pay overtime?
-
Public and Private Employer Worker Classifications and Benefits.
-
Independent Contractor or Employee?
-
-
Identify risks of misclassification
-
Key wage and hour laws under the FLSA and Montana state rules
-
Payroll documentation, recordkeeping, and etc.
MEET YOUR INSTRUCTORS
Michelle Edmunds, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
President, Senior HR Consultant
Michelle Edmunds is a "feel good" HR guru who specializes in Montana employment law and best practices. She utilizes this through HR consulting and providing staffing services to small and large businesses state wide. Michelle is the President and Sr. HR Consultant for Westaff. Michelle believes in win-win solutions and enjoys coaching and learning from her clients and team. She is passionate about working hard and playing harder while providing strategic HR solutions to small business owners like herself.
​
Michelle provides services such as employee handbook reviews and rewrites, workplace investigations, day to day HR consulting, leadership and communication trainings, temporary staffing, permanent staffing and executive recruitments.
​
Michelle holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Resources and Industrial Relations from a top-ranked business school, the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management. Michelle is certified as a "Senior Professional in Human Resources" by the Human Resource Certification Institute (SPHR). She is also a Certified Senior Professional by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM-SCP). Michelle was awarded HR Leader of the Year in 2020 and was named 20 under 40 professionals in Helena in 2015. Michelle actively volunteers in Helena’s local SHRM chapter as well national SHRM in Washington DC.
Corinne Moore, PHR
Senior HR Consultant
Corinne is a Sr. HR Consultant specializing in communication and compliance. She provides HR advice to employers statewide, writes employee handbooks, conducts investigations, coaches' business owners, conducts training sessions, and is an expert in recruitment. With over a decade of hands on experience in managing and recruiting, Corinne brings real world solutions to managers and believes in improving workplaces through open and honest communication.
Corinne is accredited as a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) from the Human Resources Certification Institute, and before starting work at Westaff in 2014, earned her BA in Communication from Carroll College and her MA in Communication from San Diego State University. She enjoys connecting with other businesses and was awarded as one of Helena's 20 Under 40 business professionals in 2020. She is President of Helena's local Job Service Employers' Committee (JSEC), and an active member of the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM) local County Chapter.
