November 7, 2025

Conference Connections 

Session Spotlight: Labor Issues 

Civil Service Commission updates, ethics, State Health Benefits updates, First Amendment Auditors, and workplace morale are just a few of the League Conference Sessions focused on labor issues. These sessions below will help you plan, learn best practices, and see what emerging topics will affect your community. For CEU and speaker information, please visit the Conference website or download the Conference app.  

Tuesday, November 18  

2:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. – Civil Service Commission Updates on Recent Initiatives (Room 305/306)  

Join the CSC for updates on new initiatives. Topics include an overview of Title 4A and the CSC Testing Process. You will also gain insights and strategies to effectively navigate the transition to a new administration. 

2:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. – Just Be Nice: Addressing First Amendment Auditors in Your Parks (Room 320)  

First Amendment audits are legal interviews conducted in public spaces that typically involve recording officials or employees. The First Amendment protects the right to free speech, including the right to record matters of public interest. In this session, park and rec professionals will learn the basic principles of First Amendment rights and how to plan, and respond, when engaged in an audit. 

2:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. – Building Better Government Through Strategic Humor (Room 412)  

This engaging presentation explores how strategic humor and laughter can transform government workplaces, improving employee morale, reducing stress, and enhancing public engagement. The neuroscience of laughter, cultural considerations in diverse workplaces, and establishing boundaries for professional humor. 

3:45 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. – From Chalkboard to Cloud – The Future of Municipal Training (Room 312)  

As local government faces staffing shortages, evolving roles, and rising public expectations, how should we train the next generation of municipal employees? Join a panel of New Jersey municipal administrators to explore what today’s workforce really needs—from certifications and leadership development to flexible, tech-enabled delivery models. 

3:45 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Can the SHBP Be Saved? (Room 403)  

A frank discussion between municipal management and labor representatives on the current status of the State Health Benefits program for local governments, and what can be done to fix the problem. 

Wednesday, November 19 

10:45 a.m. – 12: p.m. – Marci (Age 8) on Ethics (Room 304)  

The underpinnings of unethical conduct and the Local Government Ethics Law; public perception; objective vs. subjective and the Reasonable Person Standard, procedural issues, misuse of resources, and practical considerations. We will also address Who’s Who of Unethical Conduct and how they made the list. 

10:45 a.m. – 12: p.m. – Emerging Issues in Municipal Use of Social Media (Room 417)  

The continually developing topics of local government employees, governing bodies, departments, boards and commissions will get input to better understand the emerging issues in municipal use of social media. 

2:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.- Annual Risk Management Seminar (MEL-JIF) (Room 302) 

Property Casualty Insurance costs New Jersey government $1 billion each year and could increase by 10% or more in 2025. Discussing these issues and specific actions local governments can take to control these costs. By completing this session, elected officials from communities that are Municipal Excess Liability Joint Insurance Fund (MEL) members will be eligible for credit. 

2:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.- Ready for the DOJ Website Accessibility Ruling (Room 416) 

Did you miss this session last year? Need a refresher? The Department of Justice (DOJ) has placed a timeline for municipalities to implement WCAG 2.1 AA compliance. Confused about what this means and how it impacts your website? A discussion of what you can start doing now to get ready, overview of the guidelines, the penalties for noncompliance, and the challenges and rewards. 

3:45 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. – New Jersey Public Sector Law Update (Room 320)  

Management in the public sector with a focus on labor and employment law for municipalities and government entities. Employee discipline, employee termination, and union activities will be addressed.  

Thursday, November 20 

9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. – Police Disciplinary Issues Including Police Licensing (Room 302) 

Discussion will include the different aspects of disciplinary process: investigating and charging, types of discipline, civil service vs. non-civil service, negotiating agreements including last chance, hearing, and new police licensing statute and legal issues concerning same. 

10:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Accumulated Sick Leave & Health Benefits Contract Changes (Room 201/202)  

There are two major concerns facing New Jersey municipal governments administering accumulated sick leave: payouts and approaches for changing health insurance benefits. Addresses provisions within labor contracts, calculating retirement payouts, sick leave buybacks, vacation carryover, PTO, and health insurance provisions. 

10:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Local Government Ethics (Room 414)

An overview of the New Jersey Local Government Ethics, conflicts of interest, and the importance of civility in local government practice.