Running a business or organization requires you to carefully follow a wide variety of rules, regulations, and requirements regarding labor and employment law issues.
Examples include everything from hiring, training, and terminating employees to labor relations and workplace policy and procedural issues.
If your business finds itself facing litigation for one of these reasons — or if you are looking for aid in avoiding litigation altogether — the employment law defense attorneys at Weiner Law Group LLP are here to help.
Located in Parsippany, New Jersey, Weiner Law Group LLP is an experienced law firm dedicated to helping businesses resolve employee claims and avoid costly lawsuits.
If a lawsuit is inevitable, we work closely with our litigation department to fiercely represent our clients’ best interests and work toward a swift and desirable resolution.
If you would like to speak with one of our labor and employment attorneys, please contact us today.
What Is Labor and Employment Law?
Labor and employment law are two intertwined areas of law that form a significant part of the legal landscape. On the one hand, labor law concentrates on the dynamics between employers, employees, and labor unions.
This area includes topics such as union membership, payment of union dues, and the intricacies of collective bargaining agreements.
On the other hand, employment law encompasses a broader range of workplace-related issues extending beyond labor unions and collective bargaining. This includes matters related to hours, wages, overtime policies, hiring practices, workplace discrimination, and retaliation against employees.
The degree to which a particular federal or state law pertains to labor unions, as opposed to general employer-employee relationships, categorizes it as either “labor law” or “employment law.”
This distinction also extends to legal practice. An attorney’s focus on labor union-related issues or broader employment matters defines their specialization as either a “labor law attorney” or an “employment law attorney.”
These attorneys may offer expertise across various aspects of employment or labor law, or they may focus their practice on specific areas, such as workplace discrimination.
When an attorney represents employers or government entities, they are often referred to as an “employment defense attorney” or a “labor law defense attorney.”
Our Labor and Employment Law Defense Services
Labor and employment law defense cover a broad spectrum of matters. Some of the areas our lawyers advise in at the Weiner Law Group LLP include the following issues.
Wrongful Termination
One of the most common issues an employment defense attorney handles is alleged wrongful termination. If an employee claims they received a wrongful termination, we will assess the circumstances surrounding the termination.
We will examine the details of the termination to make sure employers demonstrate compliance with contractual and statutory obligations. We’ll also help employers surmount the legal complexities that often come with wrongful termination claims.
Employment Discrimination
We also frequently represent employers in cases involving accusations of discrimination stemming from an individual’s race, gender, age, disability, and other protected characteristics.
Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other anti-discrimination laws, employers can face serious consequences for a discrimination finding.
Our attorneys are adept at investigating claims and developing defense strategies for employee discrimination claims. A Weiner Law Group LLP employment and labor defense attorney is also highly skilled at advising employers so that their human resources practices comply with anti-discrimination laws.
Employee Benefits
Our team advises on legal matters related to employee benefits, including health insurance, retirement plans, and other compensation-related issues. We’re familiar with issues arising from the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and its interaction with New Jersey employee benefits.
Other examples include pension benefit claims and administrative claims with the Department of Labor. We also counsel employers how to structure their benefit programs in compliance with state benefit regulations.
Equal Employment
Weiner Law Group LLP is committed to helping employers uphold the principles of equal employment. Our attorneys provide guidance on policies and practices to ensure fair treatment of all employees and compliance with equal employment opportunity laws.
Our expertise in this area extends to analyzing complaints or “charges” that employees have filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the New Jersey Division of Equal Employment Opportunity/ Affirmative Action.
We also guide employers on ensuring their recruitment and human resources initiatives comply with the latest developments in state and federal equal employment law.
AIDS and Substance Abuse
While the worst years of the AIDS epidemic are behind us, there are still frequent claims of AIDS discrimination. Furthermore, the skyrocketing rates of substance abuse throughout the country have led to their own set of unique legal issues.
Regardless of whether cases involve AIDS, substance abuse, or other sensitive health-related issues in the workplace, our attorneys can offer knowledgeable counsel. We have the in-depth experience to defend employers against these novel legal issues. In doing so, we help employers handle these matters with the required confidentiality.
Non-compete Violations
We recognize the critical importance of non-compete agreements in safeguarding business interests and proprietary information. Our services extend beyond merely drafting and reviewing these agreements; we verify they are robust and enforceable under current laws.
When violations of non-compete agreements occur, we stand ready to represent employers in legal actions. Our approach is not just about legal enforcement, but also about strategizing to protect the core business interests and maintaining the integrity of confidential and proprietary information.
Collective Bargaining Agreements
In the arena of collective bargaining agreements, we frequently engage in negotiations with labor organizations. We can also craft balanced agreements that serve the best of the employer while being fair and compliant with labor laws.
Our attorneys are adept at navigating through labor negotiations, arbitrations, and any disputes arising from these agreements.
Whenever possible, we focus on creating agreements that are sustainable and beneficial. In doing so, we minimize the potential for future conflicts and foster a cooperative relationship between employers and unions.
Civil Rights Violations
Defending against claims of civil rights violations is a sensitive and complex area where our attorneys bring extensive knowledge and experience.
We collaborate closely with employers to ensure their policies and actions meet or exceed the standards set by federal and state civil rights laws.
In cases where alleged violations arise, we’ll provide a robust defense to protect employers against unfounded allegations. At the same time, we strive to uphold the principles of fairness and equality in the workplace.
Our approach is proactive, focusing on preventing potential violations through comprehensive policy review and employee training.
Sexual Harassment
Our legal services prove especially vital in the hot-button area of sexual harassment. For one, we provide services to help employers develop and implement effective policies and training programs that prevent harassment from even occurring.
When allegations of sexual harassment occur, we’re ready to guide employers while they conduct internal investigations and maintain the careful balance between confidentiality and responsiveness.
If the claims progress to litigation, we’re ready to provide legal defense while exploring potentially advantageous settlements.
Wage-and-Hour Disputes
Our attorneys are skilled in handling disputes over wages, overtime, and other compensation-related issues. Specific examples include violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act, like unpaid meals and rest breaks, missing compensatory time, and unpaid training claims.
We also defend clients against claims filed under the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and other employment-related legislation.
We also work with businesses and organizations to help them develop employee manuals that outline policies and assist them in training workers and investigating employee misconduct.
We are experienced in defending clients against employee grievances in arbitration and help businesses take measures to avoid the filing of claims against them in the first instance. In the event a claim is filed, however, we work tirelessly to defend businesses against any and all grievances and complaints.
Let Weiner Law Group LLP Defend Your Business Or Organization
New Jersey labor and employment law is often a slippery slope for modern businesses and organizations. To ensure you are protected, you need the experience of a law firm that is well-accustomed to representing clients in labor and employment matters and experienced in helping businesses avoid employee claims altogether.
Weiner Law Group LLP has decades of experience defending various clients in all kinds of labor and employment issues. As a result, we’re prepared to tackle any issue that comes our way.
If you would like to learn more about the defense Weiner Law Group LLP can offer to your business or organization, we invite you to contact us online today or call us at 973-403-1100. We offer free initial consultations.