What does employment law cover?
Employment law encompasses all federal, state, and local laws as well as judicial decisions that govern the duties and rights of employers and employees. Advising employers and employees, drafting, transactional work, and dispute resolution through arbitration and negotiations are the main non-contentious aspects of employment law. The more difficult cases include dismissals, contract violations, harassment, layoffs and redundancies, and discrimination based on disability, age, sex, or religion.
One side of employment law is the employee and their rights and responsibilities. On the other side, it addresses the rights, liabilities, and duties of the employer. Legislation, statutory authorities, conduct guidelines, and the actual procedures by which the law is administered and adhered to all enter into this equation.
Anyone in a management or human resources position should make adhering to employment law a top priority at all times. A manager or HR employee can make a misstep that leads to a multimillion-dollar lawsuit against the employer and possibly the managers involved.
The best approach to winning a lawsuit is to prevent one from ever occurring in the first place. It is crucial to stay informed on updates to employment law legislation and real court decisions by using ongoing compliance tools, and by attending relevant training events.
When representing an individual or a group of employees, a lawyer will gather data and conduct research, prepare paperwork (such as contracts, claims, and pleadings), provide guidance, and represent clients in discussions and settlements. Employer-representing employment attorneys will advise businesses and institutions on how to defend against claims, create HR policies that cover every aspect of employment, include language in contracts addressing compensation, allow for early and regular retirements, and negotiate with workers and/or their unions.
