As a business owner, you have to fulfill a lot of responsibilities. From making hiring choices and managing employees to driving financial decisions, you have to switch between a lot of roles throughout the day. But, most employers do not put much thought into employment laws. It may just be plain idealism to imagine that your business will never have to face employee-related legal issues.
In case of a serious dispute regarding an employee, your being ill-equipped to handle it can land you in hot water with the law. You will need the services of an efficient employment lawyer to get you out of your legal troubles. Employment lawyers can navigate the complex laws and regulations relating to employment. These laws protect both employers and employees, and a good lawyer can keep you in compliance with them.
Following are the 6 reasons why you should consider retaining an employment lawyer for your business.
Table of Contents
1. Awareness of your rights and obligations
You will benefit from the advocate’s knowledge about an employer’s rights. If any dispute arises in regard to an employee’s conduct, you will have legal advice to protect yourself and your business. Most of the time, business owners suffer because they lack knowledge of their rights as employers.
Moreover, as an employer, you have some obligations to fulfill. If you are not aware of these and fall short, you may face legal and financial repercussions. An employment lawyer can help you avoid such pitfalls in the legal system.
2. They will argue on your behalf
You may need to terminate an employee for wrongful conduct. Consequently, you might need to face a wrongful termination suit. Your employment lawyer will represent your case in a legal proceeding. You may also need to settle the suit. Hence your lawyer may even negotiate the exit package with the employee in question.
All of this translates to less stress on you. If there is a need for further litigation, your legal team can take charge of the situation.
3. Establishing sound employment policies
Your company or business must draft employment policies in accordance with the country’s employment laws. These policies will dictate how employees are hired, managed, and treated in the course of their employment and the causes of their termination. These policies will stipulate every aspect of an employer-employee relationship.
The employment laws are complex and also change with time. You need an expert to guide you through the nuances of compliance. Furthermore, you will need an employment lawyer to draft hiring contracts and employee handbooks.
4. Collective bargaining
If your business has to contend with a labor union, then retaining an employment lawyer becomes even more important. During the meetings with the union, the lawyer can advocate on your behalf. They will also advise you on many regulations to follow in order to avoid a union uprising.
You will be thankful to have a legal expert in your corner during negotiations with the union. These negotiations can impact your business in a drastic way. Hence a lawyer will save you a lot of money. Also, by following the lawyer’s advice, you can avoid any violations of labor laws and subsequent penalties.
5. Dealing with a workplace issue
Workplace disputes can be difficult to solve. Anytime a dispute occurs between two employees, it can send shockwaves throughout the whole structure of the company. An employment lawyer can act as a mediator between the parties involved and try to resolve the issue. However, if the dispute persists, the lawyer will advise you on the best course of action.
6. Harassment and Discrimination
Suppose you have two potential candidates for a promotion. Your choice of the right candidate may be guided by all the right reasons, but the other candidate may feel he/she was discriminated against. This may engender a legal battle with the rejected candidate alleging harassment or discrimination based on factors such as race, gender, age, disability, or any other attributes. A good employment lawyer can help you overcome such adversity without much hassle.
Conclusion
As a business owner, it is your responsibility to look after your interests. But you should never act in a way that flouts labor rights. While you may not wish to do so, many times, mistakes happen because of the lack of knowledge. An employment lawyer can act on your behalf in matters you do not feel certain about. You will be spared much of the legal troubles by hiring experts to take care of your legal matters. So don’t wait until it’s too late.
So, being a business owner, you must be aware of the local lawyers. For instance, if your company is in Maryland, you must hire a Maryland employment lawyer to deal with all legal laws.
