The 5 most common lawsuits in the employment arena are:
1. Employment discrimination and wrongful termination
2. Discrimination suits not based on employment
3. Wage law violations
4. Torts
5. Breach of contract
In many cases, even if you are confident that if a lawsuit goes to trial the odds are in your favor; it can still be a very costly endeavour. Having the proper alignment with policies and laws are vital in avoiding these costly and timely lawsuits.
As a company, there are several ways you can mitigate your risk in these areas. Having a strong culture built on diversity and inclusion will build strong bonds with employees and give them a sense of value regardless of their national origion, race, sex, ethinicity, etc.
Training your leadership on the proper ways to document, communicate, and engage employees is one of the strongest defenses you can have when a lawsuit arises. Continuous follow up with leaders and particularly new leaders will insure they are successfully aligning with your companies values and vision.
Knowing key regulations and laws such as the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), American's with Disabilities Act (ADA), and others will guide you in making positive decisions when it comes to wages, time off, and accommodations that can not only affect your employees but also your company.
If you are not sure you are in compliant or properly trained to avoid these top 5 and other employment lawsuits, contact me and we can discuss your current situation and develop a strategy to insure success in these areas!