By BLR Founder and CEO Bob Brady
Your plate is probably overly full with downsizing, trying to make ends meet, and trying to keep your budget projections at least somewhat in line with reality. The last thing you need to be dealing with is a lawsuit brought by a disgruntled employee or former employee. But that might be just what you’re in for.
I recently spoke with attorney Allison West, SPHR, a sought-after consultant, speaker, and trainer based in Pacifica, California.
Bob: What can you tell us about the current climate for lawsuits?
Allison: As you struggle with managing your business in this dismal economy, your employees are struggling, too. You may have had no choice but to institute pay cuts, furloughs, or even layoffs. But regardless of how sensitively and thoughtfully you’ve gone about instituting such actions, guess who’s going to get blamed
You are.
Employees are much more likely to sue their employer in a down economy when jobs are scarce. Plus, employers’ staffs are stretched to the breaking point, and that leads to liability when the little things are ignored.
Bob: So how do you protect yourself?
Allison: Here are three things to keep in mind:
1. Keep your focus on your greatest asset—your people. HR must be diligent and work with management to stay on top of this.
2. Stay on top of compliance issues, even if your budget has been slashed.
3. Remember to smile! It seems like a little thing, but a positive attitude can make all the difference to your employees.
Important laws are changing left and right, and increasingly disgruntled employees mean an increasing number of lawsuits. Steer clear of these issues with the practical, plain-English advice you’ll get at BLR’s National Employment Law Update conference. Sign Up Now
Bob: You’ve been quoted talking about “e-mails the size of New Jersey.” What’s that all about?
Allison: People think of e-mail as innocent, but the “e” in e-mail truly does stand for “evidence.” I tell people not to think of their e-mail as on-screen, but printed out, matted on Styrofoam, sitting on an easel in front of the jury, blown up to the size of New Jersey!
Train your managers to realize that any slip from them on paper or e-mail is going to be Exhibit A when their employee sues.
A Chance to Pick the Expert’s Brain
West will be presenting the keynote address at BLR’s National Employment Law Update conference this fall, held at the Venetian in Las Vegas from October 19-21. In her talk, entitled “The Biggest Risks for HR in a Down Economy—and How to Protect Yourself,” she’ll explain exactly why the stakes are so high for you right now, and how you can proactively build your defenses.
West provides effective risk management services aimed at helping companies both prevent and resolve employment claims. If you join us at National Employment Law Update this fall, you’ll get a chance to hear her recommendations, presented in her uniquely engaging, interactive style. You’ll also have the opportunity to ask her the questions that have been keeping you up nights about how to best protect your company. It’s a one-time opportunity you won’t want to miss.
Now’s the time to arm yourself with the tools you need to succeed. Sign up now for BLR’s National Employment Law Update conference and you’ll save $100 off the regular rate.
As an added bonus, you’ll have the opportunity to meet not only Allison West but also yours truly—I’ll be presenting a lunchtime talk on strategic HR on October 20. I’m looking forward to meeting you and finding out more about the concerns and challenges that are on your mind these days.
Space at the conference is limited, and the clock is running on the chance to save $100 off your registration. This is the lowest price we’ll be offering, so what are you waiting for? Sign up now—it will be the best decision you’ve made all year.
I liked it. So much useful material. I read with great interest.