California JPIA logoThis past November, the California Public Employers Labor Relations Association (CALPELRA) Annual Conference, themed Elevate Your Game, brought together public sector labor relations and human resources professionals to “coach and be coached.” The conference, held over four days in Monterey, included engaging sessions, discussions, and networking opportunities. Session leaders included California Joint Powers Insurance Authority (California JPIA)  Chief Administrative Officer Nikki Salas and Employment Practices Manager Kelly Trainer Policky, who offered strategies to help public agencies navigate layered challenges in labor relations and human resources.

Trainer Policky and Salas kicked off their contributions with a session on conditional offers titled “When Conditional Offers Throw You a Curve Ball.” Drawing from their professional experience, they dove into the surprises that recruiting can entail. The session equipped attendees with practical strategies to handle tricky situations, from positive drug test results to unexpected revelations during background checks. They emphasized the importance of timing and adherence to best practices when navigating the conditional offer process, helping agencies stay compliant and prepared.

In the session Managing Up: The Role HR Directors Play When Employees Accuse Elected Officials of Violating FEHA,” Trainer Policky teamed up with Jenica Maldonado, a partner at Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo, to discuss the challenges faced by HR directors when employees file Fair Employment and Housing Act claims against elected officials: a situation complicated by the fact that officials aren’t subject to traditional employment discipline. They outlined actionable advice to participants, encouraging them to enhance their agency policies, collaborate with insurers, and creatively “manage up” to address misconduct and maintain trust.

Drawing parallels between football and HR, Trainer Policky rounded out her schedule of speaking engagements with a session titled “Anticipating Blind Sides in the HR Playbook.” Paired with Katy A. Suttorp, an attorney with the Judicial Council of California, they helped HR professionals prepare for the unexpected, reviewing how overlooked laws or rapid legal changes can disrupt even the best-prepared agencies. From labor law to wage and hour, dress codes, disability retirement, and leaves, they shared tools to help session attendees minimize risk and remain proactive.

Trainer Policky and Salas’s sessions exemplified CALPELRA and the Authority’s joint mission to provide actionable training for public sector leaders.

Providing innovative risk management solutions for its public agency partners for more than 45 years, the California Joint Powers Insurance Authority (California JPIA) is one of the largest municipal self-insurance pools in the state, with more than 125 member cities and other governmental agencies. Members actively participate in shaping the organization to provide important coverage for their operations. The California JPIA provides innovative risk management solutions through a comprehensive portfolio of programs and services, including liability, workers’ compensation, pollution, property, and earthquake coverage, as well as extensive training and loss control services. For more information, please visit the California JPIA’s website at cjpia.org