BIA Conference to Help HR Professionals

A September conference tailored for human resource professionals and others involved in employee relations will focus on key issues in today's workplace, including the generational differences within the workforce and how technology is changing the way companies and HR professionals do business and manage employees.

Talkin' bout My Generation. . .Getting New Hampshire's Multi-Generational Workforce to Work' for You is a half-day conference that will take place Sept. 11 from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Grappone Conference Center in Concord. It is presented by the Business and Industry Association, in partnership with the HR State Council of NH.

The program will include topics and speakers addressing current trends and challenges related to hiring and retention, as well as the impact of technology on HR procedures and practices.

The conference general sessions include:
Developing a Sector Strategy for New Hampshire Representatives from the Workforce Opportunity Council will discuss the development of sector strategies in NH. Sector strategies build partnerships between employers, training providers and community organizers to address the workforce needs of employers and the training, employment and career advancement needs of workers.

Workforce Assessment Tool Representatives from AARP will demonstrate the recently unveiled Workforce Assessment Tool, which will help employers identify current and future workforce needs.

Participants will also choose to attend two of three workshops:
Who Will Lead Us? Improving Employee Recruitment and Retention through Mentoring Attorney Lucy Hodder of Rath, Young and Pignatelli will moderate a panel of speakers who will discuss mentoring programs aimed at improving employee recruitment, retention and loyalty.

So What's This Button Do? The Impact of New Technology Attorneys Tim Gudas and Jay Surdukowski of Sulloway and Hollis will discuss the role of new technology in the workplace, including the use of Internet searches to assist in the hiring process; monitoring employee use of company-issued computers, cell phones, Blackberries and other electronic devices; and employee misconduct related to Internet use and blogging.

So How Old Are You, Anyway? And Other Questions to Avoid in the Workplace Attorney Jim Reidy of Sheehan, Phinney, Bass and Green will provide an overview of the legal and organizational challenges associated with recruiting and retaining older and younger workers.

Following lunch, Deb Titus of the Dale Carnegie Institute will will deliver the keynore presentation on today's four generations in the workforce-Veterans, Boomers, Xers and Nexters-and discuss the issues and challenges of multi-generational employee dynamics.

The cost for BIA, Capitol Connect and HR State Council members is $65 and $85 for non-members. To register, call 603-224-5388 x116 or visit acteva.com/go/nhbia