Western Ventura County Employer Advisory Council presents: Real-Life HR Horror Stories

Real-Life HR Horror Stories

This seminar will present a panel of seasoned HR Professionals that will share real-life stories, close calls, and lessons learned from the workplace’s scariest situations – so you can avoid living them yourselves.

Presented by Jamie Stein/ Nidia Rodriguez/ Jodi Davis/ Julie Rodriguez

Jamie Stein

Jamie is a defense attorney with more than 20 years of litigation experience who exclusively represents employers in employment-related litigation and compliance matters. She has successfully handled cases in state and federal courts, secured pretrial dismissals and full-defense judgments, argued before the California Court of Appeal, and defended individual, class-action, and PAGA claims. Jamie co-founded EmployLaw Group LLP to create a client-centered firm focused on accessibility, communication, practical guidance, and long-term relationships rather than billable hours. She tailors her legal strategies to each client’s operations, goals, and risk tolerance, providing straightforward advice without unnecessary legal jargon.

She earned her law degree from Southwestern University School of Law and her undergraduate degree from UC Santa Barbara. A Ventura County resident and mother of three, Jamie enjoys supporting her children’s sports, gardening in her greenhouse, hiking, and spending time with her family and their puppy, Cooper

Nidia Rodriguez

PHR, SHRM-CP, serves as Associate Director of Human Resources at Meissner Corporation, where she leads employee relations, talent acquisition, and compliance efforts. She brings over 25 years of experience, much of it in leadership roles, and takes a practical, hands-on approach to her work. She partners with leadership across the organization to navigate complex workforce challenges and build engaged, high-performing teams. Her deep grounding in California employment law shapes her approach to organizational culture and design.

Jodi Davis

Jodi is the President and CEO of Crossroads Staffing. Crossroads was named the largest staffing company by the Pacific Coast Business Times for the last 10+ years and prides itself on customer-driven solutions. Crossroads provides recruitment, training, and interviewing services for businesses throughout California as well as nationwide specialized and executive-level searches. Jodi has obtained both her PHR (Professional in Human Resources and CSP (California Staffing Professional) accreditations and has been awarded Top 50 Women in Business by Pacific Coast Business Times and Woman Business Owner of the Year by NAWBO. Jodi has been in the staffing industry since 1998 and has served on EAC boards of directors since 2004.

Julie Rodriguez

Julie is a Business Partner at BBSI, a Professional Employer Organization (PEO) that provides comprehensive services including payroll management, human resources consulting, workers’ compensation, and health benefits. With over 25 years of experience, Julie is an expert in human resources, risk and safety management, finance, and operations. Her broad expertise allows her to offer strategic insights and solutions that help businesses enhance efficiency, compliance, and employee well-being. Specializing in employee relations, performance management, and compliance, Julie brings a wealth of knowledge and a proven track record of building high-performing teams. Throughout her career, Julie has successfully navigated complex HR landscapes, implementing innovative policies and processes that enhance workplace culture and employee engagement. Her expertise spans a wide array of industries, making her a versatile leader capable of addressing diverse workforce challenges. Julie holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration.

What You’ll Learn:

•  Identify common workplace risks and early warning signs that may lead to employee complaints, investigations, or litigation.
• Apply practical strategies for responding to sensitive and high-risk workplace situations.
• Use lessons from real-life HR experiences to improve decision-making, documentation, and risk prevention