Recognized as an Upstate New York Super Lawyer, Katherine (Katie) Schafer works closely with employers to provide practical, tailored advice for each organization’s unique needs and goals. Katie strives to be actively engaged with her clients, developing strategies to help them reach their desired objectives while ensuring compliance with federal and state labor and employment laws.
Her practice includes counseling and defending management in all aspects of labor and employment matters, including defense of discrimination and harassment complaints, civil rights litigation, employee discipline, terminations, layoffs, handbook policies, employee agreements, separation agreements, labor negotiations, grievances and arbitrations, and wage and hour issues.
Katie has particular experience in workplace investigations, including those involving allegations of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, sexual assault, bullying, theft, wage and hour issues, abuse of power and compliance issues. Katie brings her legal background and experience to clients in need of an outside investigator to conduct timely and thorough investigations into complex, sensitive and high-profile matters. At the conclusion of the investigation, Katie provides clear and actionable recommendations designed to address the issues identified during the investigation, prevent future occurrences, and avoid costly litigation. Katie also routinely counsels, oversees and trains clients in conducting effective workplace investigations.
Conducted investigation regarding allegations of bullying, harassment and fiscal improprieties against executive director of non-profit organization.
Conducted investigation for health care plan of allegations of inappropriate and discriminatory behavior regarding chief medical officer.
Conducting investigation for university concerning allegations against department chair, including allegations of cheating, improper conduct on trips, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) violations, and harassment, bullying, retaliation and targeting of students. The investigation included interviews with more than 60 students and professors.
Assisted employer by conducting investigation of department-wide allegations of theft of employer property.
Conducted investigation for federal contractor regarding allegations of sexual assault and sexual harassment against supervisor.
Assisted health care system in conducting investigation of allegations of workplace violence, defamation, and harassment against a doctor and chair of department.
Conducted investigation for school district of multiple allegations of bullying and harassment by parents and students regarding varsity coach.
Conducted investigation of racial harassment against manager for financial institution.
Arbitration Case Study and Grievance Arbitration Best Practices 2024, New York State Association of Management Advocates for School Labor Affairs, June 14, 2024
Unlimited PTO: The Answer You’ve Been Looking For Or Your Worst Nightmare?, Bond’s Business in 2024 Webinar Series, June 5, 2024
School Law 101: Conducting Thorough Investigations, School Law 101 Webinar Series, May 16, 2024
Workplace Investigations Best Practices, Bond's Statewide Labor, Employment & HR Conference, May 11, 2023
School Law 101: Personnel Investigations, School Law 101 Webinar Series, January 18, 2023
Legislative Update: What HR Professionals Need to Know for 2022, CNY SHRM, January 20, 2022
On the Horizon: Key Labor Law Areas to Watch in 2021, Bond Labor and Employment Law Breakfast Briefing, April 7, 2021
Leave Management and COVID Impacts for Small Business, Camillus Chamber of Commerce, March 24, 2021
Legislative Update: Where We’ve Been and Where We’re Going in 2021, CNY SHRM, January 28, 2021
Overcoming Age Discrimination in the Workplace, CNY SHRM, November 19, 2020
Moderator, Solving the Leave Management Puzzle, CNY SHRM, June 18, 2020
Returning to Work After the Pause: Anticipating Labor and Employment Issues and Creating a Communications Plan, May 15, 2020
Reopening Considerations, Bond Webinar Series, April 26, 2020
Legislative Update for Human Resource Professionals, CNY SHRM, January 30, 2020
Employee Leave Strategies: FMLA, ADA and More, National Business Institute, November 20, 2019
Workplace Harassment Prevention Laws & Prevention - A Necessity Now More Than Ever Webinar, Community Health Care Services Foundation, Inc., November 7, 2019
Workplace Harassment Prevention, New York State Association of Health Care Providers, November 6, 2019
What You Need to Know About the New State Sexual Harassment Law, CNY SHRM, October 25, 2018
Legal Considerations When Hiring, CNY SHRM, October 24, 2019
Workplace Harassment Prevention: A Necessity Now More Than Ever, CNY SHRM, September 17, 2019
Marijuana Legalization: Impacts on the Workplace, CNY SHRM, June 13, 2019
9 to 5 No More: Regulating Employee Off-Duty Conduct, Bond Labor and Employment Breakfast Briefing, January 15, 2019
Employment Law Basics for Supervisors, Managers and Business Owners, CNY SHRM, March 22, 2018
A Practical Look at the New York State Paid Family Leave Law and What it Means for Your Workplace, CNY SHRM, September 28, 2017
Moderator, Ready or Not: What You Need to Know About the U.S. DOL's Final Overtime Rules, CNY SHRM, October 27, 2016
The Leave Labyrinth: Strategies for ADA and FMLA Compliance, Bond's Statewide Labor, Employment & HR Conference, May 2016
Workplace Violence: Preventing and Responding to the Unthinkable, Bond Labor and Employment Law Breakfast Briefing, April 7, 2016
Hiring Employees in the Age of Social Media, Greater Baldwinsville Chamber of Commerce, October 22, 2015
Employee Handbooks – Choose Your Words Wisely, Bond Statewide Labor, Employment & HR Conference, June 9, 2015
New Legal Challenges to Hiring Practices, Bond Labor and Employment Law Breakfast Briefing, March 25, 2015
Employment Law Basics for Supervisors, Managers & Small Business Owners, CNY SHRM, March 19, 2015
It’s Not Just Your Lunch Money at Risk – Standing up to Workplace Bullying and Harassment, Bond Statewide Labor, Employment & HR Conference, May 21, 2014
Revolving Issues of Intermittent FMLA Leave, Bond Statewide Labor, Employment & HR Conference, May 21, 2013
EEOC’s New Guidance on Criminal Background Information, Rochester Business Alliance, August 17, 2012
Schafer, Katherine Ritts and Langan, Kerry W., "Survey of New York Law: Labor and Employment Law," 63 Syracuse L. Rev. 829, 2013
Schafer, Katherine Ritts and Langan, Kerry W., "Survey of New York Law: Labor and Employment Law," 62 Syracuse L. Rev. 709, 2012
Ritts, Katherine A. and Langan, Kerry W., "Survey of New York Law: Labor and Employment," 61 Syracuse L. Rev. 831, 2011
"The Constitutionality of 'Let Them Rest in Peace' Bills: Can Governments Say 'Not Today Fred' to Demonstrations at Funeral Ceremonies?," 58 Syracuse L. Rev. 137, 2007
Recognized as an Upstate New York Super Lawyer, Katherine (Katie) Schafer works closely with employers to provide practical, tailored advice for each organization’s unique needs and goals. Katie strives to be actively engaged with her clients, developing strategies to help them reach their desired objectives while ensuring compliance with federal and state labor and employment laws.
Her practice includes counseling and defending management in all aspects of labor and employment matters, including defense of discrimination and harassment complaints, civil rights litigation, employee discipline, terminations, layoffs, handbook policies, employee agreements, separation agreements, labor negotiations, grievances and arbitrations, and wage and hour issues.
Recognized as an Upstate New York Super Lawyer, Katherine (Katie) Schafer works closely with employers to provide practical, tailored advice for each organization’s unique needs and goals. Katie strives to be actively engaged with her clients, developing strategies to help them reach their desired objectives while ensuring compliance with federal and state labor and employment laws.
Her practice includes counseling and defending management in all aspects of labor and employment matters, including defense of discrimination and harassment complaints, civil rights litigation, employee discipline, terminations, layoffs, handbook policies, employee agreements, separation agreements, labor negotiations, grievances and arbitrations, and wage and hour issues.
Katie has particular experience in workplace investigations, including those involving allegations of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, sexual assault, bullying, theft, wage and hour issues, abuse of power and compliance issues. Katie brings her legal background and experience to clients in need of an outside investigator to conduct timely and thorough investigations into complex, sensitive and high-profile matters. At the conclusion of the investigation, Katie provides clear and actionable recommendations designed to address the issues identified during the investigation, prevent future occurrences, and avoid costly litigation. Katie also routinely counsels, oversees and trains clients in conducting effective workplace investigations.
Conducted investigation regarding allegations of bullying, harassment and fiscal improprieties against executive director of non-profit organization.
Conducted investigation for health care plan of allegations of inappropriate and discriminatory behavior regarding chief medical officer.
Conducting investigation for university concerning allegations against department chair, including allegations of cheating, improper conduct on trips, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) violations, and harassment, bullying, retaliation and targeting of students. The investigation included interviews with more than 60 students and professors.
Assisted employer by conducting investigation of department-wide allegations of theft of employer property.
Conducted investigation for federal contractor regarding allegations of sexual assault and sexual harassment against supervisor.
Assisted health care system in conducting investigation of allegations of workplace violence, defamation, and harassment against a doctor and chair of department.
Conducted investigation for school district of multiple allegations of bullying and harassment by parents and students regarding varsity coach.
Conducted investigation of racial harassment against manager for financial institution.
Arbitration Case Study and Grievance Arbitration Best Practices 2024, New York State Association of Management Advocates for School Labor Affairs, June 14, 2024
Unlimited PTO: The Answer You’ve Been Looking For Or Your Worst Nightmare?, Bond’s Business in 2024 Webinar Series, June 5, 2024
School Law 101: Conducting Thorough Investigations, School Law 101 Webinar Series, May 16, 2024
Workplace Investigations Best Practices, Bond's Statewide Labor, Employment & HR Conference, May 11, 2023
School Law 101: Personnel Investigations, School Law 101 Webinar Series, January 18, 2023
Legislative Update: What HR Professionals Need to Know for 2022, CNY SHRM, January 20, 2022
On the Horizon: Key Labor Law Areas to Watch in 2021, Bond Labor and Employment Law Breakfast Briefing, April 7, 2021
Leave Management and COVID Impacts for Small Business, Camillus Chamber of Commerce, March 24, 2021
Legislative Update: Where We’ve Been and Where We’re Going in 2021, CNY SHRM, January 28, 2021
Overcoming Age Discrimination in the Workplace, CNY SHRM, November 19, 2020
Moderator, Solving the Leave Management Puzzle, CNY SHRM, June 18, 2020
Returning to Work After the Pause: Anticipating Labor and Employment Issues and Creating a Communications Plan, May 15, 2020
Reopening Considerations, Bond Webinar Series, April 26, 2020
Legislative Update for Human Resource Professionals, CNY SHRM, January 30, 2020
Employee Leave Strategies: FMLA, ADA and More, National Business Institute, November 20, 2019
Workplace Harassment Prevention Laws & Prevention - A Necessity Now More Than Ever Webinar, Community Health Care Services Foundation, Inc., November 7, 2019
Workplace Harassment Prevention, New York State Association of Health Care Providers, November 6, 2019
What You Need to Know About the New State Sexual Harassment Law, CNY SHRM, October 25, 2018
Legal Considerations When Hiring, CNY SHRM, October 24, 2019
Workplace Harassment Prevention: A Necessity Now More Than Ever, CNY SHRM, September 17, 2019
Marijuana Legalization: Impacts on the Workplace, CNY SHRM, June 13, 2019
9 to 5 No More: Regulating Employee Off-Duty Conduct, Bond Labor and Employment Breakfast Briefing, January 15, 2019
Employment Law Basics for Supervisors, Managers and Business Owners, CNY SHRM, March 22, 2018
A Practical Look at the New York State Paid Family Leave Law and What it Means for Your Workplace, CNY SHRM, September 28, 2017
Moderator, Ready or Not: What You Need to Know About the U.S. DOL's Final Overtime Rules, CNY SHRM, October 27, 2016
The Leave Labyrinth: Strategies for ADA and FMLA Compliance, Bond's Statewide Labor, Employment & HR Conference, May 2016
Workplace Violence: Preventing and Responding to the Unthinkable, Bond Labor and Employment Law Breakfast Briefing, April 7, 2016
Hiring Employees in the Age of Social Media, Greater Baldwinsville Chamber of Commerce, October 22, 2015
Employee Handbooks – Choose Your Words Wisely, Bond Statewide Labor, Employment & HR Conference, June 9, 2015
New Legal Challenges to Hiring Practices, Bond Labor and Employment Law Breakfast Briefing, March 25, 2015
Employment Law Basics for Supervisors, Managers & Small Business Owners, CNY SHRM, March 19, 2015
It’s Not Just Your Lunch Money at Risk – Standing up to Workplace Bullying and Harassment, Bond Statewide Labor, Employment & HR Conference, May 21, 2014
Revolving Issues of Intermittent FMLA Leave, Bond Statewide Labor, Employment & HR Conference, May 21, 2013
EEOC’s New Guidance on Criminal Background Information, Rochester Business Alliance, August 17, 2012
Schafer, Katherine Ritts and Langan, Kerry W., "Survey of New York Law: Labor and Employment Law," 63 Syracuse L. Rev. 829, 2013
Schafer, Katherine Ritts and Langan, Kerry W., "Survey of New York Law: Labor and Employment Law," 62 Syracuse L. Rev. 709, 2012
Ritts, Katherine A. and Langan, Kerry W., "Survey of New York Law: Labor and Employment," 61 Syracuse L. Rev. 831, 2011
"The Constitutionality of 'Let Them Rest in Peace' Bills: Can Governments Say 'Not Today Fred' to Demonstrations at Funeral Ceremonies?," 58 Syracuse L. Rev. 137, 2007
