Preventing issues in the workplace can save employers time and money. We help employers develop policies and procedures designed to prevent work disruptions and unnecessary costs.
Counseling and Training
Ensuring that employees understand workplace rules helps reduce issues and improve day-to-day operations. Our lawyers draft and update workplace policies and employee handbooks to meet current labor and employment regulations. We keep you abreast of new developments so you can implement appropriate changes before rules go into effect. Our lawyers audit workplace procedures to identify any gaps in complying with regulatory requirements and disclosure rules concerning such areas as employee classification, wage and hour matters, employee data privacy, reasonable accommodations, and leave policies. We conduct on-site employee trainings concerning all aspects of the worker-employer relationship, including those covering sexual harassment prevention.
We guide employers with workforces across multiple states on strategies for reconciling differences in state laws covering such areas as family medical leave, medical and recreational marijuana, and anti-harassment laws. When employers need to undergo personnel changes, we help them develop best practices for documenting and implementing terminations and reductions in force.
Employment Agreements and Restrictive Covenants
Well-drafted employment agreements and related restrictive covenants are critical to employers successfully protecting confidential and proprietary information, relationships with customers, and investments in employees. To protect these assets and reduce the risks of disputes over performance or pay, we draft and review standard employment contracts and restrictive covenant agreements that carefully stipulate the expectations, responsibilities, and obligations of both employer and employee. Because restrictive covenant agreements, including non-compete agreements, can be difficult to enforce, the group’s attorneys keep abreast of current developments in the area and refine their drafting to strengthen enforceability.
Investigations
Scrutiny of company executives and board members for allegations of misconduct, harassment or compliance violations is seemingly never-ending. Potential issues can quickly become overblown in the media, causing serious damage to the company’s reputation and may even affect a company’s bottom line if not managed proactively. We assist our clients in quickly investigating the situation to help control the situation. We investigate matters ranging from sexual harassment to whistleblower claims to trade secret misappropriation claims.
Transactional Support
Mergers and acquisitions and other important business dealings can often incur delays or headaches when labor and employment issues are not identified early. We have extensive experience identifying issues hidden in such deals—including ones involving wage and hour liabilities, union representation issues, or change of control agreements—and working with our transactional lawyers to help chart a best course forward to ensure the success of the deal.
