Blog

When Does an Employer Need an Employment Lawyer?

When Does an Employer Need an Employment Lawyer

Employee rights are a hot topic recently, but what about the employers? You have few rights besides expecting quality performance and policy compliance from your employees.

That said, you do have the right to transparent legal information about your duties. The best way to protect yourself is to hire an employment lawyer. They will ensure that you properly draft all your binding documents. That minimizes the chance of any damage to your industrial relations. Here are some situations in which an employment lawyer is invaluable:

When drafting different contracts

Depending on your industry and the size of your company, you may employ people in different capacities. There are full-time employees, part-time employees, contractors, and interns. Let’s not forget your business partners, from suppliers to influencers. When bringing on new talent, you have to offer them fair conditions. This means your employment contracts, in all their variations, have to comply with all relevant legislation in your country or state.

Some territories also have additional policies in place to ensure quality labor practices. For example, Aussie employers have to think not only about employment laws but also Fair Work Australia. Do some research into what policies affect your enterprise. If you have several branches in different places, take care to note any regional differences. Make a point of drafting employment contracts such that they protect your business. Include provisions regarding confidentiality, directly approaching suppliers, non-competition following contract termination, etc.

When drafting various policies

Casting your professional philosophy into written legal form can get complicated. Bring on an employment lawyer to help you with workplace policies, staff policies, employment handbooks, etc. You want to set your own rules while staying within the larger legal framework. Something that seems perfectly reasonable to you might have a chance of getting you into hot water. This is especially true when it comes to phrasing an interpretation. Expert insight will spare you the future headache of playing word games with disgruntled employees and their own attorneys.

When you aren’t sure of the laws

As we already mentioned, different territories have different ideas about employment laws. If at any point you feel regarding your relevant legislature. If you find that you don’t quite understand something, don’t hesitate to look for professional help. Continuing with our previous example, Australia is fairly stringent in its policies. In addition to its very detailed employment laws, there are also the National Employment Standards, the Fair Work Act, Enterprise Agreements, and the Modern Awards. These may or may not apply to you or your staff, partially or fully. So, as an Australian employer, you might want to consult an employment lawyer in Sydney who will help you understand your rights and responsibilities. Review all of these regulations together. Ask them to also inform you about any bylaws or policies you may have missed, or on which you’re not up to date.

legal advice

When planning terminations and redundancies

Most employers’ worst nightmare is facing a lawsuit from a disgruntled former employee. It costs time, money, energy, and - perhaps worst of all - reputation. Nothing disgruntles an employee more easily than a dismissal. Now, every business is likely to have to fire people at some point. Their positions may become redundant due to industry advancements, changes in corporate structure, or other factors. Their results or workplace behavior may be so disastrous as to warrant dismissal. Whatever your situation, you want to protect yourself and your business from potential claims of unfair dismissal. Review the legal constraints of their contracts, as well as your own binding duties. Have your employment lawyer check for any vagueness or poor phrasing. Anything that leaves room for interpretation has to be interpreted in a way that benefits you.

When resolving disputes

You may face disputes other than dismissals. Employees are people after all, and people clash. To resolve workplace conflict, complaints, etc. bring in an employment lawyer to assist your HR department. They can aid in internal investigations, provide greater legal context, and help mediate any arguments. This might be the critical step to preventing greater trouble, like lawsuits.

So, let’s sum up. A good employment lawyer is a strong ally at every point of the contract lifecycle. They can ensure you comply with all relevant legislation when bringing on new talent, dismissing underperforming and redundant employees, and resolving any disputes. They can also help you get up to date on the latest legal information while drafting policies, especially if your business has branches in different locations.

Blog Categories

nordvpn

Recent Posts

flippa
Search Site
© 2012-2023 Mike Gingerich Global, LLC    Contact   -   Privacy
magnifier linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram