In a time of rapid legal and regulatory change, the PA Chamber’s 2025 HR Conference proved why this annual event remains a consistent, can’t-miss-conference for business professionals looking to stay up to date with the knowledge they need to effectively lead their organizations.
The day kicked off with an in-depth update on state and federal labor and employment issues, presented by PA Chamber Senior Vice President Alex Halper and Duane Morris Partner Jonathan Segal. They covered various topics, including proposed increases in minimum wage, adult-use recreational marijuana, and workforce development reforms. At the federal level, Segal highlighted changes to workplace policies on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), emphasizing the need for companies to avoid preferences based on race or sex and to ensure decisions are made without dividing or segregating employees. He also highlighted the importance of training that mitigates implicit bias, and touched on immigration enforcement, workplace plans, and the surge in wage and hour claims under state law. Segal noted, “Pennsylvania is as bad as California when it comes to wage and hour,” recommending policy audits to align state and federal laws.
Later in the day, a workforce-focused panel delved into strategies for expanding and diversifying the talent pool. The panelists focused on changes in immigration policy under the Trump administration and employer policies that should be evaluated, with immigration attorney Valentine Brown sharing her clients’ positive experiences with foreign nationals in the workplace, noting their unique skill sets, loyalty, and overall benefit to employers. Shea Zwerver from Flagger Force shared the immense value of employing “justice-impacted” individuals, highlighting their loyalty and work ethic, and noting that studies show lower turnover rates among this workforce. UPMC’s Tim Holt shared his company’s focus on hiring veterans and their spouses and best practices for other employers to use in their own hiring processes.
Breakout sessions focused on how companies should navigate changing DEI policies. Internship programs at Hershey Entertainment and Resorts (HE&R) and Rock Lititz were also highlighted, with advice on how companies can work toward implementing their own hands-on learning experiences for students.
Alex Halper and Jonathan Segal also participated in an engaging series of “mock debates,” where virtual spinning wheels created politically sensitive scenarios, such as an HR leader explaining to an entry-level employee the reason for instituting non-compete agreements, showing how business professionals can tailor arguments based on specific circumstances to effectively drive labor and employment discussions.
The day concluded with a panel discussion of the critical and growing role Artificial Intelligence plays in the workplace; as well as a keynote with U.S. Chamber of Commerce Senior Vice President of the Employment Policy Division Glenn Spencer who offered an update on federal personnel and policy changes, along with insights into what to expect in labor law this year and beyond.
In addition to providing continuing education credits and unique networking opportunities among peers and experts, the 2025 PA Chamber HR Conference provided valuable insights and practical strategies for HR professionals to navigate the evolving landscape of employment law and workforce development.
We thank Exclusive Platinum Sponsor Duane Morris Institute, Silver Sponsors PSECU and PA Chamber Insurance, and Break Sponsor Highmark for their generous support.