Upcoming Meeting

Mar 19 - labor & employment legal update

presented by

James R. O’Connor, Partner
Phillips Lytle LLP

Topics to be addressed include the changes and updates surrounding the federal agencies that enforce federal employment laws, such as the EEOC and NLRB.  Jim will also discuss the latest changes to New York State employment laws, including practical tips for compliance.  Finally, Jim will give an overview of potential additional changes HR professionals should be ready for in the coming months and beyond.
 
Event Schedule:
8:30 AM Check in and refreshments
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Presentation and Q&A

REGISTER HERE

Mar 25 virtual program - Navigating ICE Enforcement: What Employers Need to Know 

presented by

Danielle Rizzo
Business Immigration Attorney & Partner
Phillps Lytle LLP

In an era of increased immigration enforcement actions, the likelihood that ICE will visit a workplace is increased.
 - Learn what you need to know as an employer to be prepared
 - Learn the difference between a judicial and an administrative warrant
 - Learn what your employees’ rights are
 - Learn practical tips for interact with ICE agents during an enforcement action

Note: The Zoom link for this virtual program will be sent in the confirmation email after you register.

BNHRA is recognized by SHRM to offer professional development credits (PDCs) for SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP® recertification activities.  This program is valid for 1.0 PDC for the SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP®.

This program has been pre-approved for 1.0 general recertification credit hour toward  aPHR®, aPHRi™, PHR®, PHRca®, SPHR®, GPHR®, PHRi™ and SPHRi™ recertification through HR Certification Institute® (HRCI®)

REGISTER HERE

APr 9 - Networking / Workforce Development Morning Mingle

This is a great opportunity to network with HR professionals across WNY while learning about a great local organization. You can network with peers as well as tour the Caz Recovery facility and learn more about opportunities for collaboration and involvement.  

REGISTER HERE

Tell Us What Events You Want to See!

To ensure BNHRA continues to deliver content that sharpens your skills and strengthens your connections, we need to hear directly from you. Your insights into event preferences allow us to tailor our programming to the specific needs of the Buffalo Niagara HR community.

Please share your feedback by completing our member survey.

As a thank you for your time, every participant will be automatically entered into a drawing for one of two free BNHRA memberships.

Help us build the absolute best content for our chapter—and potentially score a free year of membership in the process!

MEMBER SURVEY

Apr 23 - HR Leaders Unplugged: Career Stories, CHallenges & Breakthroughs

Join fellow HR professionals for a high impact evening with local Chief Human Resources Officers sharing practical strategies on talent, culture, technology, and the evolving role of HR.

Designed for everyone in HR!  From early career professionals to seasoned leaders, you will receive honest insights and create meaningful connections.

Meet our esteemed panelists:

Sept 28-30 SHRM New York State Annual Conference 2026  

For the first time in 13 years, the SHRM New York State Conference will be held in Buffalo!  

Register by 03/31/26 and SAVE!  

Looking to be a sponsor?  Check out this year's sponsor guide and send us a message to learn more about 2026 options!

March edition:

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility Newsletter

HR Mentors Needed!

You probably have had a mentor (maybe even more than one!) in your career. If you have, you know what even one hour a month of advice and support from an expert can do. Think about how much that has shaped your success, and how much you could impact the success of someone else going into HR.

SHRM and SHRM Foundation are looking for dedicated HR professionals who have a passion for helping the next generation of HR leaders excel and succeed as they prepare to launch a career in HR. We are looking for mentors to work one-on-one with a SHRM student member for approximately 1 hour a month for three months. The maximum time commitment is four to eight hours (over the course of three months) and you could earn 3 PDCs!

Mentorship is a key way you can support the next generation of HR professionals and help them thrive. 

LEARN MORE HERE

certification prep

SHRM NYS Certification Preparation Program 2026

Oct 3 - Dec 12, 2026 

SHRM New York State is offering a virtual certification preparation course.  The facilitator, Matt Burr, will lead participants through 11 weeks of material to prepare students to take the SHRM Certification Exam.

The class will meet on Saturdays from 9am-12pm EST between October 3, 2026 - December 12, 2026. The cost for the course is $1,000 per person and the class can accommodate 15 students.

If you are interested in participating, please contact Matthew Burr at [email protected]

To access, simply log in as a member.  Not a member yet? Learn more about joining here or reach out to our Membership Director at [email protected]

DAEMEN OFFERS SCHOLARSHIPS FOR BNHRA MEMBERS!

Daemen University is offering BNHRA Members a Discount on select Graduate programs! Please click HERE to learn more!

Legal Update: Phillips Lytle LLP Alert for BNHRA Members: Labor & Employment 

EEOC Rescinds Enforcement Guidance on Harassment in the Workplace

Written By: James R. O’Connor, January 27, 2026 

Employers Must Continue to Follow Title VII and Protections Set Forth by State Law 

On January 22, 2026, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) voted to rescind its Enforcement Guidance on Harassment in the Workplace. This is one of the first acts the EEOC has taken since it achieved a quorum in October 2025. 

The rescission took effect immediately. EEOC guidance is certainly an instructive resource for employers and practitioners, but it is not binding law. Thus, the rescission does not significantly change federal law, and employers must remain vigilant that they are also complying with state and local laws, which are often more favorable to workers than federal law. 

Continuing reading: https://bnhra.org/articles/183

What Employers Need to Know About New York State’s Trapped at Work Act 

Written By: James R. O’Connor, Linda T. Prestegaard, Colleen R. McMullen, January 7, 2026 

Workers Cannot Be Required to Repay Certain Advances, Stipends, or Reimbursements if Leaving a Job Before a Set Amount of Time 

Does your business require employees who leave before a set period of time to repay the business certain advances, stipends, or reimbursements the employee received—such as for training costs? If your business is located in New York State, a major development in New York Labor Law may apply. 

On December 19th, 2025, Governor Kathy Hochul signed the “Trapped at Work Act” (the “Act”) into law. The Act, which takes effect immediately, mandates that “no employer may require, as a condition of employment, any worker or prospective worker to execute an employment promissory note.” If any employment promissory notes are executed, the “note shall be null and void.” 
Continuing reading: https://bnhra.org/articles/184

Read past Legal Update articles HERE

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Corporate Membership Spotlight

Alcott HR provides customized solutions in human resources, payroll, benefits and risk management, empowering employers to prioritize their people and business performance.

From our office in Williamsville, NY we serve a diverse group of successful profit and not for profit businesses across the Western New York region and beyond.  Read more

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Did you Know?

• Get Involved and Give Back!  Junior Achievement WNY Volunteer Opportunities
• Sponsorship packages available for our monthly events! Check out bnhra.org/sponsors

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Sponsorship Opportunities

Are you looking for more ways to get involved in the BNHRA and reach out to the BNHRA Community?  The BNHRA offers a variety of ways to become a sponsor:

Website Sponsorships:

• Website Logo Sponsorship
• BNHRA Home Page Sponsorship
• Career Center Page Sponsorship
• Sponsorship of an Individual Website Page 

Program Sponsorships:

• Program Featured Sponsor
• General Meeting Sponsor
• Vendor Table
• Sponsorship of Dessert and Coffee at a Dinner Meeting
• Sponsorship of Social/Networking Event

Learn more about the Sponsorship Options here!

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In Transition Memberships

Do you know of fellow HR professionals who are currently in between jobs? If so, please let them know BNHRA offers a NO cost In Transition membership package that includes our Goodwill Fund, sponsored by StaffBuffalo & HRBuffalo! 

In-transition Committee

The In-transition Committee connects BNHRA members that are currently in-transition and also those seeking a new employment opportunity with one another, as well as services in the community such as training, career coaching, and networking. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Cathy Lanzalaco at [email protected]

Helpful Resources

Check out our updated In-Transition page HERE

If you are a current SHRM member who is in a job transition, you may request a 3 to 6 month membership extension by emailing [email protected] within 30 days prior to your membership expiration date.

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Other Professional Events

Other Professional Events - be sure to check out this page for many exciting events in WNY!

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Job Postings!

Do you have an HR Position that you would like to share with the BNHRA Community?  BNHRA Members can post HR jobs for FREE! Learn more here!

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