Winthrop & Weinstine, P.A., answers the frequently asked employer question: "Can I do this?" and provides advice regarding whether you should take a particular course of action, and the risks associated with the various options available to you.
Our Employment Counseling practice group has extensive experience and knowledge to counsel you in federal and state employment law compliance, draft policies to prevent unlawful or sexual harassment, train management and employees, investigate and respond to complaints, review and prepare employee handbooks that guide employees but do not expose your company to legal liability, design and implement drug-testing programs, draft non-compete, non-solicitation and confidentiality agreements and other areas, including the following:
- Title VII
- Age Discrimination in Employment Act
- Minnesota Human Rights Act
- Family and Medical Leave Act
- Fair Labor Standards Act
- Americans with Disabilities Act
- Unlawful and sexual harassment
- Equal employment opportunity
Winthrop & Weinstine lawyers can also help you with:
- Confidential information and customer relationships
- Wage and hour issues, such as maintaining the exempt status of staff, overtime, how to pay employees who travel, wage deductions and employee payment upon termination
- Reductions in force and reorganizations and the potential impact on protected groups, and strategies to avoid age or other discrimination claims
- Employee discipline and termination guidance, including how to document disciplinary action and what to say in a termination meeting
- Employment, independent contractor, severance and release agreements designed to prevent potential liability
- Non-compete, non-solicit and confidentiality agreements designed to protect your business and customers
- Advice and training on the hiring process, including lawful interviewing inquiries, drafting of employment applications, offer letters and bonus plans, and conducting background checks
- Notice of purchase or sale of a business, including whether notice to employees is required under the WARN Act, and how to "transfer" retained employees after the sale
Our attorneys work closely with human resources managers and in-house counsel of our larger clients, and with owners and executives of our other clients. When clients ask: “Can I do this?” our goal is to ensure our advice and counsel will help to improve their business operations and avoid litigation.