301 S 68th St Pl Lincoln NE 68510
May Program
May 13th
Location: SCC Jack J Huck Continuing Education Center
301 S 68th St Pl, Lincoln, NE 68510
Anyone who registers for the virtual option below will be sent a link to join prior to the program beginning. It is recommended virtual attendees login at 11:50am for any pre-program announcements.
Registration/Check-In: 11:30am
Lunch/Networking: 11:30am-12:00pm
Program: 12:00pm-1:00pm
Workshop: 1:00pm-1:30pm
Program Topic:
Critical Conversations in the Workplace – A Practical Workshop
Communication is key when managing employees and minimizing employment law risks, especially when handling sensitive issues. For our May Program, we’re excited to welcome two attorneys from Woods Aitken, Pamela Bourne and Ashley Connell, who will act out real-life scenarios to demonstrate the right and wrong ways to approach difficult conversations in the workplace.
This session will cover challenging topics such as performance discussions, complaints of discrimination or harassment, and addressing political or personal issues with employees—equipping HR professionals with the tools to navigate these situations with confidence and professionalism.
Following the presentation, attendees will participate in a workshop from 1:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., where they can put their new knowledge into practice by engaging in role-playing exercises. This is a great opportunity to build skills and gain insights into handling these critical conversations in a safe, supportive environment.
Don’t miss this chance to sharpen your communication skills and improve your approach to handling sensitive employee situations.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Presenters: 
Pamela Bourne
Woods Aitken
Pamela Bourne is a management-side attorney specializing in preventative employment law. She provides strategic counsel on a variety of employment issues, including hiring, performance evaluations, compliance (FMLA, ADAAA, harassment, etc.), and discipline. Pam also develops HR policies, conducts training, and defends employers against employment-related claims. She holds both a law degree and an MBA from the University of Nebraska and is recognized in The Best Lawyers in America (2024-2025) and Chambers USA (2019-2024) for her expertise in Labor & Employment. Pam serves as Vice Chair of the Nebraska State Bar Association’s Labor Relations & Employment Law section.
Ashley Connell
Woods Aitken
Ashley Connell is a labor and employment attorney at Woods Aitken, focusing on preventative counseling and defending employers against discrimination, retaliation, and wrongful termination claims. She also assists clients with HR policies, investigations, and employee training to prevent disputes. Ashley graduated with highest distinction from the University of Nebraska College of Law and received numerous awards for her academic achievements. She earned a degree in Business Administration from the University of Nebraska at Kearney and previously worked as a Litigation Assistant for Buckle, Inc.
Registration Cost:
- Free for Current LincolnHR Members
- $25 for non-LincolnHR Members