Berkshire’s People Insights Team – Out and About in April

Berkshire’s People Insights team is hitting the road in April, bringing their expertise to workplace conferences across the country. Lynn Clements, Senior Director, People Insights, Brian Marentette, Director, People Insights, and Thomas Carnahan, Senior Manager, People Insights, will be taking the stage to share insights on navigating complex regulatory expectations while maintaining effective and defensible human resources and employment strategies.

Kicking things off, Brian will present at the Direct Employers Annual Meeting Conference on April 15 in Indianapolis, Indiana. His session, “Smart Tools, Real Risks: Practical AI Considerations for Compliance & Implementation,” will examine the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in employment decision-making. As AI becomes increasingly embedded in human resources systems, users are often unaware of its use or impact on employment decisions. Brian will discuss the challenges employers face as both passive consumers and active users of AI in HR and employment systems, and will outline practical steps for identifying potential risk, managing legal exposure, and maintaining compliance with Title VII and the Uniform Guidelines.

Later in the month, Brian will join Lynn, Dan Kuang (Resolution Economics), and Peggy Stockdale (Resolution Economics Affiliate) at the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology conference on April 30 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Their panel, “Auditing DEI Practices for Effectiveness and Legal Compliance,” will explore how diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives are being reshaped in light of Executive Orders 14173 and 14398. The session will take a multidisciplinary approach, combining legal, qualitative, and quantitative perspectives to help organizations assess whether their DEI programs are both effective and compliant. Panelists will discuss methods for reviewing policies, analyzing workforce data, and fostering a workplace culture that is both inclusive and legally defensible.

On April 29, Thomas will speak at the Arkansas SHRM Employment Law and Legislative Affairs conference in Little Rock, Arkansas. His session, “Beyond Buzzwords: HR and Compliance that Encompasses Merit, Transparency, and Equity,” will focus on cutting through industry rhetoric to deliver practical, objective, and defensible HR strategies. Thomas will address how organizations can design and implement policies, compensation structures, and talent decisions that prioritize merit and transparency while meeting evolving legal requirements. The session aims to equip attendees with tools to reduce risk and build trust through consistent and defensible HR practices.

Together, these sessions highlight a common theme: the importance of aligning workplace practices with both legal requirements and organizational values. From the risks associated with emerging technologies like AI to the ongoing evolution of DEI and merit-based frameworks, employers must remain vigilant, informed, and adaptable. These conferences offer valuable opportunities for HR and compliance professionals to hear from Berkshire’s experts and gain actionable insights and stay ahead in an increasingly complex regulatory environment.