Attorney
Employers who take preventative measures to ensure compliance with federal and state employment laws often avoid employment claims and minimize legal risks. Seeking employment law counseling ensures employers understand compliance issues and develop policies and procedures regarding all aspects of employer-employee relations. Our Fairfield County employment law attorneys offer guidance on when employment law counseling can benefit employers in Connecticut.
Ways that employment law counseling can help a company include:
Risk Mitigation and Proactive Compliance
Employers can benefit from employment law counseling in many areas to manage risks and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws. Employment law counseling can help a company in numerous areas for compliance and risk management, including:
Employee Policies and Handbooks
Develop employee handbooks that are legally compliant with federal and Connecticut employment laws. An attorney can help ensure the handbook includes provisions and legal language to avoid misunderstandings and reduce legal challenges.
Addressing Workplace Issues
Institute employment policies and procedures for addressing workplace issues, including employee termination, discipline, requests for leave, and other matters.
Employee Harassment, Discrimination, and Retaliation Claims
Understand employment laws regarding harassment, discrimination, and retaliation. An attorney can help develop procedures for addressing employee allegations and educate supervisors and managers on how to respond to allegations.
Wage and Hour Laws
Connecticut has wage and hour laws that might differ from federal laws. An attorney can help business owners understand federal and state wage and hour compliance regarding minimum pay, overtime pay, paid time off, and other matters related to employee compensation. Seeking advice helps ensure a business follows recordkeeping requirements.
Hiring Practices
Employers need a thorough understanding of hiring practices to avoid allegations of employment discrimination. An employment lawyer can review hiring practices to help employers avoid legal issues.
Responding to Employment-Related Legal Action
When a business receives a complaint from an employee or a notice from a government agency, legal advice is essential. An employment law attorney explains the company’s rights, including potential defenses and strategies for responding to claims and complaints.
It is crucial to contact an attorney as soon as possible, as lawsuits and complaints require prompt responses. Missing deadlines to respond to complaints and claims could limit or eliminate a company’s options for resolving the matter.
When Should a Business Contact a Fairfield County Employment Lawyer?
Seeking counsel from an employment lawyer helps a business respond effectively to specific matters, including but not limited to:
- Drug-testing employees
- Reasonable accommodation for disabilities
- Claims of harassment or discrimination
- Responding to lawsuits
- Handling requests for family and medical leave
- Drafting and enforcing employment agreements and other employment documents
- Wrongful termination claims
- Responding to federal or state regulatory agencies
- Wage and hour disputes
Consulting an employment lawyer early on can prevent some legal challenges from arising. When a claim or complaint is filed against the company, working with an attorney helps minimize damage to the company.
Protect Your Company’s Interests with the Help of a Fairfield County Employment Law Attorney
Navigating the complex federal and state employment laws can be a challenging task. An honest mistake could result in costly penalties. At Mitchell, Sheahan & Slippen, P.C., we assist Connecticut businesses in developing policies and procedures to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations. Contact our office to schedule a consultation with an employment lawyer.