EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS & HEARINGS

Employment Benefits & Administrative Proceedings

The workplace has become a legal landmine, with disputes arising over all manner of employment issues that might seem rather straightforward, but are actually exceedingly difficult to resolve. This involves everything from simple and straightforward negotiation of employment contracts to litigation or arbitration matters that result from their breach. In addition to all that, the regulatory changes in the workplace have become unusually complex and resulted in a host of legal landmines.

For example, there has been a dramatic, nationwide increase in employers who are the target of accusations relating to failure to properly withhold payroll. Moreover, the issue of whether an employee is entitled to employment benefits can be affected by everything from the work performed, oral or written representations by the employer, the terms under which employees are being terminated or furloughed and even safety protocols concerning potential exposure to toxins in the workplace In addition to all that, there is also the simple question of whether someone has a right to employee benefits in the first place—especially as new government programs come on-line without sufficient initial guidance.

While some of these matters can be resolved internally between the employer and employee, others may result in a complaint being filed with an agency such as the state or federal Department of Labor. After that, it can become a full-blown hearing and even land in the judicial courts. Given all that, there is a pressing need for businesses to have employment benefits law counsel.