Conferences are conducted by a deputy labor commissioner. At the conference, you should be able to determine the potential liability for your organization and your course of action. Liability may be obvious, so you can offer to pay the claim or put a settlement offer on the table. Good negotiation skills can be very helpful at this point. The person doing the negotiating should have the authority to agree upon the amount and have checkbook in hand.
Immediate payment can sometimes bring a quick close to the matter.
If you believe the claim is inflated or bogus, you can press the deputy labor commissioner for an outright dismissal. If you are not granted a dismissal, you may request a hearing. Remember, the conferences are informal and conducive to settlement, whereas the hearings are more formal. The hearings normally are conducted 60 to 90 days from the conference and you will receive a notice giving you the date, time and location. You should bring all your evidence to this hearing, including witnesses.