If you are an employer, there may come a time when you need to hire employment lawyers. But what do they do in an organization? What should you consider before making that decision? In this blog post, we will discuss the role of employment lawyers in organizations and provide some tips for hiring one.
What is an employment lawyer?
An employment lawyer is a type of lawyer who specializes in labor and employment law. They advise employers on compliance with employment laws and represent them in court if they are sued by an employee. Some of the things they can help a business are:
– They can help employers avoid lawsuits by providing guidance on compliance with employment laws
– They can also help employers resolve disputes with employees, including negotiations and arbitration
– If an employer is sued by an employee, the employment lawyer will represent them in court
– Employment lawyers can also advise employees on their legal rights and represent them in court if they are sued by their employer
– They usually work in private law firms, but some are employed by organizations as in-house counsel
What do they do in an organization?
The role of an employment lawyer in an organization is to advise the employer on compliance with employment laws. They also draft policies and procedures for the employer to follow, and represent the employer in court if they are sued by an employee.
Policies and procedures that an employment lawyer may draft for an employer include:
– Anti-discrimination policies
– Sexual harassment policies
– Policies on leaves of absence
– Employee handbooks
– Employment contracts
– Personnel policies
What should you consider before hiring one?
Before you hire an employment lawyer, you should consider the size of your organization and the scope of your needs. You also need to decide whether you want a generalist or specialist lawyer.
Generalist Lawyer
A generalist lawyer is a lawyer who has a broad range of legal knowledge and experience. They can advise you on a variety of employment law matters, such as compliance with the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) and the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
National Labor Relations Act (NLRA)
The National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) is a federal law that protects the rights of employees to form unions and engage in collective bargaining. It also prohibits employers from interfering with these activities.
Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is a federal law that establishes minimum wage and overtime pay standards for employees. It also prohibits child labor.
Specialist Lawyer
A specialist lawyer is a lawyer who specializes in one particular area of law. They may have more experience and knowledge in a particular area than a generalist lawyer. For example, they may specialize in employment litigation or labor relations.
When deciding whether to hire a generalist or specialist lawyer, you should consider the scope of your needs.
Scope of needs
The scope of your needs is determined by the size and complexity of your organization. If you have a small organization with only a few employees, you may not need a specialist lawyer. A generalist lawyer can advise you on a variety of employment law matters.
If you have a large organization with many employees, you may need a specialist lawyer. A specialist lawyer can advise you on specific employment law matters, such as compliance with the NLRA and FLSA.
Hiring an employment lawyer is a big decision, so make sure you consider the size and complexity of your organization before making a final decision.
Conclusion:
Employment lawyers play an important role in advising employers on compliance with employment laws. They can also help employers resolve disputes with employees, and represent them in court if they are sued by an employee. When deciding whether to hire an employment lawyer, you should consider the size of your organization and the scope of your needs.