LA Law series continues Dec. 10

LEWISTON — The Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce will present the next workshop in the LA Law series, “Mental Illness in the Workplace,” from noon to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10, at the Chamber, 415 Lisbon St. Learn about some of the rules and best practices governing the employment of persons suffering from mental illnesses.

Attorney Elliott Epstein, of counsel to Andrucki & King, will be the presenter. Epstein has been a Maine trial attorney for 37 years. He has handled a broad range of civil cases, including workplace discrimination cases, and has advised and represented several community mental health agencies. In addition, he has written a book, “Lucifer’s Child,” which explores the mental health implications of the 1984 oven murder of a 4-year-old girl in Auburn.

Mental illness is widespread throughout society. In the workplace, mental illness, especially if untreated, can adversely affect an employee’s attendance, job performance, interaction with customers, relationships with co-workers and work safety. Several laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act, Maine Human Rights Act, and Family and Medical Leave Act, protect persons with mental impairments in the application process, course of employment, leave policies and termination procedures. An employer has the difficult task of balancing a mentally ill employee’s right to be treated in a nondiscriminatory manner against the rights of the employer, co-workers and customers to expect adequate job performance, appropriate social interactions and a safe work environment.

Cost is $25 for members; $50 for nonmembers. For more information or to register, call 207-783-2249 or go to: www.androscoggincounty.com and click on the event.