April 2026 Meeting -
Bad News in Your Inbox? What to Do When You Get a Letter or a Lawsuit
PRESENTER: Alex Craigie, Craigie Law Firm PC
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Many employers thrive for decades without a claim or lawsuit. Others aren’t so lucky. If a business receives a claim letter from a former employee’s lawyer, a complaint from the Labor Commissioner, an investigation by the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), or—worst of all—a summons and civil lawsuit, even seasoned HR Professionals can feel like deer in headlights.
This doesn’t have to be the case. In this presentation, HR Professionals will learn what it is they are looking at if an employee brings a claim, whether through a demand letter, a summons or a state agency document. They will learn what steps should be automatic on receipt of these documents. This includes acting quickly to “hold” or preserve certain records and timely notifying any potential insurance carriers. It also includes what kind of response is required or appropriate.
HR Professionals will learn that, unless they are looking at a lawsuit, it’s not always necessary to pay for a lawyer to manage a demand, even before a government agency. There is a way to professionally respond and protect the business which sets the stage for a better outcome if the matter goes further.
Attendees will come away much better prepared when their business is targeted. Alex will remain available for up to an hour after the presentation to answer employment law questions on any topic.
About Alex Craigie:
Alex Craigie is an employment trial lawyer who represents employers throughout California in complex workplace disputes. After spending a decade as a partner at a national law firm, he founded his own practice in 2014, bringing the experience he gained litigating high-stakes cases for major companies to organizations of all sizes.
Alex is a recognized thought leader in employment law and frequently speaks to business and HR groups on practical, real-world workplace issues. He has taught employment law in UC Santa Barbara’s Human Resource Management Certificate Program and remains actively involved in the local legal and HR community.
Based in Santa Barbara, Alex is deeply engaged in community organizations and enjoys spending time with his family, supporting his daughter’s equestrian pursuits, and staying active in local sports and clubs.
Lunch Menu Options:
Entrees:
- BBQ Beef Sandwich
- Buffalo Chickpea sandwich (Vegetarian)
Dessert:
- Caramel Dutch Apple Pie
Meeting Location:
Madonna Inn
100 Madonna Road, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
(805) 543-3000
Spotlight Speaker
Speaker: Jennifer Clayton, SLO Partners
An Introduction to SLO Partners: Connecting Opportunities and Skills - SLO Partners is an economic development initiative of the San Luis Obispo County Office of Education. We work with local employers to uncover their hiring needs, and design specific fast-tracked bootcamp training programs to teach in-demand skills. Bootcamps include, Modern Manufacturing, Dental Assisting and Hospitality. SLO Partners creates a bridge between opportunities and realities for businesses and individuals in our community.
Jennifer Clayton is the Director of Student Relations for SLO Partners at the San Luis Obispo County Office of Education. She works closely with students to develop résumés, build interview skills, and connect them with local employers, while also helping register Career Technical Education students as pre-apprentices in alignment with SLO Partners’ apprenticeship programs. Jennifer previously served in Paso Robles Joint Unified School District as an administrator, K–12 Coordinator of Counseling and College & Career Programs, and as a middle and high school counselor. She has more than 20 years of experience in education supporting student success and career pathways. Jennifer is passionate about building partnerships between schools and industry to expand opportunities for students and strengthen the local workforce.
Register: Click Here
May 2026 Meeting -
Neurodiversity in the Workplace: What It Is and What HR Professionals Can Do to Promote It
PRESENTER: Marissa Mosunich, Operate Well Consulting
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
11:30am - 1:00pm
Neurodiversity is more than a buzzword—it’s a growing movement reshaping how organizations think about talent, inclusion, and performance.
As workplaces evolve, HR and organizational leaders are being called to create environments where every employee can thrive. Neurodiversity recognizes the natural variation in human neurology, including Autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other forms of neurodivergence. Understanding neuroinclusion—the intentional effort to design workplaces accessible to a wide range of minds—is quickly becoming an essential leadership competency.
In this engaging, introductory session, Marissa Mosunich will break down what neurodiversity means in practical workplace terms and why neuroinclusion benefits teams as a whole. Rather than focusing on clinical or legal technicalities, this session emphasizes awareness, mindset shifts, and realistic, actionable strategies HR professionals can begin applying immediately.
You’ll leave with clarity on:
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Why neurodiversity matters for today’s organizations
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How neuroinclusion strengthens culture, innovation, and retention
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Practical next steps in manager education and hiring process design
The session includes facilitated discussion, giving HRCC members the opportunity to reflect on their own workplaces, share challenges, and identify meaningful next steps.
If you are looking to stay ahead of evolving workplace inclusion practices—and strengthen your organization’s ability to attract and support diverse talent—this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.
About Marissa:
Marissa Mosunich is the founder of Operate Well Consulting, where she helps organizations align people, process, and strategy through systems thinking and human-centered design. After discovering her own neurodivergence later in life, she shifted her focus to coaching neurodivergent professionals and advising organizations on building more neuroinclusive workplaces. She holds graduate degrees in Organizational Development and Leadership and Industrial Engineering and lives on California’s Central Coast.
Lunch Menu Options:
Entrees:
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Pecan Crusted Chicken Salad
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Farmer's Market Salad (Vegeterian)
Dessert:
- Carrot Cake
Meeting Location:
Madonna Inn Garden Room
100 Madonna Rd., San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
(805) 543-3000
Spotlight Speaker
Speaker: Stephanie Potter, Development Manager
As our May Splotlight speaker, ECHO (El Camino Homeless Organization) will share how they serve San Luis Obispo County through two North County facilities that provide meals, safe overnight shelter, and individualized case management to families and individuals facing hunger and homelessness. Since 2001, ECHO has helped residents build life skills, secure employment, and transition to stable housing, supported by more than 1,500 community volunteers who help serve up to 150 dinners each night. During this session, they will also highlight ways local employers can partner on job placement opportunities and how businesses and individuals can get involved through meaningful volunteer roles that make a direct impact in our community.
Register: Click Here
June 2026 Meeting -
"Do I Have to Pay My Employees for That?" Common Wage & Hour Mistakes
PRESENTER: Jonathan Fraser Light, Managing Partner at LightGabler LLP
Tuesday, June 9, 2026
11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Join us for a practical, high-impact seminar designed to help employers avoid costly wage and hour mistakes before they turn into audits, penalties, or lawsuits. This session is ideal for business owners, HR professionals, payroll administrators, and anyone responsible for compensation and compliance.
This program will break down the most common compliance missteps and clarify exactly what employers are legally required to pay for, where risks often arise, and how to strengthen your payroll practices. Walk away with clear, actionable guidance that can help you protect your organization, reduce exposure, and ensure compliant pay practices.
Objectives:
• Recognize the liabilities associated with misclassifying employees
• Identify the nine categories of pay stub requirements
• Determine the correct way to calculate bonuses and commissions, vacation, sick time, and PTO
Employment law attorney Jonathan Fraser Light will discuss some of the basic rules regarding when employees do and do not have to be paid as part of their work, including valuable tips employers can use to avoid lawsuits on these issues. Discussion points will include: meal and rest breaks; exempt v. non-exempt employees v. independent contractors; vacation, sick time, PTO, among others.
About Jonathan Light:
With over 40 years of experience, Jon has multiple successful employment law jury trials under his belt. He and his team provide day-to-day employment law counsel to thousands of employers of all sizes over virtually all industries. Jon is the Managing Partner and a Founding Partner of LightGabler LLP, focused exclusively on representing management in employment law issues. He speaks over 40 times a year on a multitude of issues to help ensure protection for employers.
Lunch Menu Options:
Entrees:
- Italian Lasagna
- Vegetarian Lasagna
Dessert:
- Berry Cobbler
Meeting Location:
Madonna Inn
100 Madonna Rd., San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
(805) 543-3000
Register: Click Here