Abdo Engage

HR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

We know that when it comes to Human Resources (HR), there are unique concerns that dictate the operation of your department and your organization. From HR best practices and optimization of your HR programs, to important legal compliance issues and workplace policies – we can help. Join our Abdo Engage Development Series to leverage the knowledge and experience of legal experts, Abdo's HR and payroll advisors, and peers within the HR community.

Each session will include virtual large group instruction as well as focused peer group discussion, allowing you to join a group of collaborative professionals to leverage the knowledge of HR advisors, legal experts, and other professionals in a confidential setting.

Registration is currently closed. Reach out to us if you're interested in getting on the list for next year's program!

Who is this for?

The Abdo Engage HR Development series is designed for HR leaders with a range of experience, from those with newly assigned HR responsibilities to seasoned HR professionals looking to sharpen their skills and build a network of resources to take their organization and career to the next level.

Session Details

The nitty-gritty details about the when, the where, and the how-much.

March - November 2025

One virtual session per month on the third Tuesday of each month,

including in-person session opportunities during the program year

See below for the full list of dates and topics being covered.

$2,500 per person

Invoiced in full upon registration.

( Limited registrant capacity, 10% discount available for nonprofit & government organizations )

Topics

HRIS Systems and HR/Payroll Automation | Options, compliance considerations, effective implementations, and maximizing system utilization.

Effective Recruiting, Employee Onboarding, & Immigration | Identifying and attracting the RIGHT candidates and improving the employee experience, current compliance issues, auditing, raids, auditing and automation of I9’s, and nonresident workers.

Wage & Hour Compliance and Contractor Classification | Pay equity, compensation review, FLSA, and MN wage theft.

Handbook Compliance | What is required, how to develop effective policies, and how to get the most out of your handbook.

Effective Benefits Program Management and Retirement Plan Considerations | Plan auditing and compliance, benefit taxation, selecting brokers and providers, evaluating employee value proposition and culture of changing the conversation and what leaders need to do to make a difference for employees dealing with anxiety and depression.

FMLA, ADA, & Leave of Absence Administration Best Practices | How these programs work together, internal processes & training, systemization, and review of complex scenarios.

Performance Management Culture and Systems, Tough Conversations and Legal Implications | Effective program development, format options, planning and training, and supporting a culture of high performance.

Succession Planning for Key Positions and Talent Development Initiatives | Structured training programs, developing a culture of employee development, key employee succession planning, and M&A considerations.

Group-selected Topics (TBD)

The Path Forward

What You Gain

Access to over 100 years of combined real-world experience in the HR & Payroll industry to help you answer your biggest HR practice and policy questions.

Access to leading workplace law attorneys from Blethen Berens, a regional law firm dedicated to providing the highest level of client service and legal representation in the ever-changing workplace law landscape.

A peer group setting fostering knowledge, support, and relationships that you can leverage in your daily HR role for years to come.

Cost effective and convenient HR learning and development without the challenges of enrolling in college courses and with more support and accountability than self-study options.

Tools, resources, and practical ideas to take back to your organizations to make immediate positive impacts.

Proud to partner with

Project Goals

We know that when it comes to career development and continuing education, it can be hard to carry the lessons learned into the real world. That's why we focus on project goals for our participants each year. You set a goal or choose an initiative you'd like to complete by the end of the program and we provide opportunity for collaboration, questions, and individual instruction to accomplish your goal. This means you leave the program with a completed initiative already under your belt.

Peer Group Social Events

One of the unique benefits of Engage is the personal interaction you experience as you work through each virtual session together, but we recognize there's also value in connecting with your peer group and instructors in person. As part of the program, our first and last sessions will include in-person attendance options designed to give you that "face time" that is so essential in building relationships with your Engage team.

Interested?

Registration is open for the 2025 series - join us!

The Abdo Engage HR Development Series is a great source for up-to-date information on HR and legislation changes. I first attended this during COVID and they did a great job of providing us with the most up-to-date information. The information and resources provided helped us navigate through the multiple changes that came with COVID.

You also hear what others are doing that works and doesn’t work. This has been helpful in providing different options for our company. As someone who is continuing to learn more in the HR role, it's been a great way to connect with other HR colleagues.

Ashley Anderson

Krahmer Farms

I thought the seminar was really great and informative. I have been in the HR/Accounting field for over 20 years and with laws constantly changing this is a great way to get updates; collaborate with others to hear how they tackle different challenges etc.

What I learned, is that everyone in the HR field really has the same challenges, and little by little one item at a time we can survive!

Jackie Luehrs

Business Manager | Meyer Borgman Johnson

The Abdo Engagement HR Development Series gave us exposure to a variety of HR topics from the comfort of our own office, but still allowing for networking with other HR colleagues along the way. Our cooperative also has the comfort of knowing we can reach out to the Abdo or Blethen Berens team with any issues that may come up in the future and work with someone we know.

Abby Dahms, CPA

Finance Manager | BENCO Electric Cooperative

Abdo Engage is an excellent program for anyone…from someone who isn’t trained at all (like me) to experienced HR Specialists that want to be updated on where we are at today in HR. The Abdo staff and the professionals they work with are all extremely knowledgeable, friendly, and most importantly down-to-earth. You can ask anything without fear of being judged by the trainers or the participants. You can reach out at any time during the 9 months of training and receive help.

Abdo is a credible company with integrity. I got the feeling they would be an amazing company to not only work with but work for. It’s the kind of company that I want training people. Abdo Engage was an excellent experience for me and was well worth the investment of my time and money.

Spring Sibbert

I strongly recommend the Abdo Engage HR Development Series! Throughout the series, I learned so much about various HR topics, grew as an HR Professional, developed relationships with other awesome HR Professionals throughout various industries, and completed a project from start to finish that aligned with my company’s goals/initiatives with the help from members in the series.

I am sad that the series has officially ended for me, but I am happy to say that I gained HR knowledge, resources, and a trusted group of HR Professionals to ask questions to when needed. I cannot say enough great things about this series!

Lexi Schoper

HR Specialist | United Prairie Bank

questions?

Let's talk more

Do you have questions about the program or want to talk through what's included in the registration? Reach out today to discuss.

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Abdo is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for SHRM-CP^® or SHRM-SCP^®.

HR Certification Institute’s® (www.HRCI.org) official seal confirms that Abdo meets the criteria for pre-approved recertification credit(s) for any of HRCI’s eight credentials, including SPHR® and PHR®