CAHIP - Ventura County January 2024 Newsletter

Chapter Updates

In Memorium - Ken Gutzke

I became a member of the Ventura Association of Health Underwriters in 1989.  Ken Gutzke was the Past President of VAHU at that time.  Ken had been involved with VAHU soon after it was formed, in 1982.  Ken was a tireless volunteer for VAHU.  He was also willing to assist on a committee, make calls for sponsors, promote legislation, attend meetings at legislators’ offices, and be an Ambassador for the organization.  You could always count on Ken to assist with any project and give his all to make it successful.

We spent many trips together at CAHU and NAHU events representing VAHU, and Ken participated and helped to make the association a better place for all agents. One of the first events that Ken, and I attended was the CAHU conference in 1991.  It was a very continuous event, with many members running for office. If I remember correctly, all positions were being contested.  I believe this was one of the first events that VAHU had sent representatives.

Ken and I listened to the presentations, and we decided to vote for the member from LAAHU to become President-Elect of CAHU.  He won by 1 vote!  That LAAHU member was Alan Katz. Ken was very involved in keeping the VCAHU charity alive and functioning for many years.  When he retired and moved to Idaho, he joined the local AHU and started a similar charity there.

We will miss Ken’s enthusiasm and tireless efforts to help all agents become professionals in their endeavors.

Donald M. Jones, PHR

Past President of VAHU and VCAHU

Ken passed away on October 31, 2023 and was survived by his wife, Sandy Gutzke.

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Calendar of Events

2024 Employment Law Update

Staying up-to-date on new employment law legislation for the upcoming year, as well as the prior year’s cases and administrative opinions impacting future workplace activity, is critical for employer protection. In this informative program, Karen Gabler from the LightGabler law firm will present the 2024 employment law update. Attendees will receive a detailed handout providing insights into at least 100 new laws, regulations and cases, along with practice tips for employers and human resource professionals.

Topics on the horizon for the 2024 New Year include:

• 2024 new legislation
• 2023 case law and administrative opinions
• Critical arbitration updates, including Adolph (PAGA)
• New state sick leave rules
• Off-duty cannabis use – discrimination prohibited and new testing requirements
• Reproductive health decision-making protections
• New protected leave of absence
• Meal and rest period premiums as wages
• Minimum wage increases (local and state)
• Non-competes no more – even out-of-state!
• NLRB rulings (non-competes, severance agreements)
• IRS mileage rates for 2024
• Handbook updates for 2024
• And much more!

About The Presenter:

Karen L. Gabler, Esq. is an employment law attorney with LightGabler, an employment law firm with attorneys in Camarillo and San Luis Obispo. For over 30 years, Karen has represented employers and managers in businesses of all sizes and industries in virtually all aspects of employment law. She collaborates with her clients in developing proactive strategies to enhance workplace productivity and avoid employment disputes, and defends employers and management against employee claims.

Karen has been named as a Southern California “Super Lawyer” by Los Angeles Magazine for more than ten years. She has been named one of the “Top 50 Women in Business” and the “Who’s Who in Professional Services” by the Pacific Coast Business Times, and has been recognized as the “Top Attorney in Client Service” and one of the “Most Trusted Advisors” by the San Fernando Valley Business Journal. Karen has taught employment law courses at the Pepperdine School of Law, and is a sought-after speaker on employment law topics for numerous professional, civic and business organizations.

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NABIP Updates

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