Wheaton Employment Law for Employers Lawyer

Employment Law Attorney Helping Small Businesses Prevent and Address Employment Disputes in Wheaton, IL

Your employees are your company's most important resource. Even if you run a very small company, you probably could not do all the work it takes to keep your doors open alone. Just as you depend on your workers to keep your business running smoothly, they depend on you for a predictable paycheck and stable employment, even when there are difficulties. Navigating the laws that govern employer-employee relations can be challenging, especially for small companies who might not always be subjected to the same labor laws bigger corporations are. Being represented by an experienced and strategic employment law for employers attorney can help you prevent legal disputes with your employees in many cases, and successfully manage the issues that inevitably arise in a workplace.

JSL Law, LLC is highly experienced in representing both employers and employees. Wheaton, IL employment law attorney Jolianne Alexander is able to offer a unique perspective and find creative and practical solutions. She can help you develop the right company policies and procedures to reduce the likelihood of a civil dispute or Fair Labor Standards Act complaint or guide you in responding to a current dispute.

Unemployment Compensation Defense

It can be very frustrating when a former employee who quit, was fired for misconduct, or is otherwise ineligible attempts to collect unemployment benefits. You may need to prove that you fired the employee for misconduct instead of for a retaliatory or discriminatory reason, or that an employee left voluntarily and was not forced out. An attorney should represent you during an unemployment dispute.

Making Reasonable Accommodations and Avoiding Pregnancy Discrimination Claims

Workers who have disabilities or who are pregnant have the right to receive reasonable accommodations. However, determining whether a requested accommodation is considered reasonable can be challenging. An accommodation might not be reasonable if it would be too costly for the employer, would impair the company's normal operations, or could create a safety hazard, such as allowing a service dog in a kitchen. You may also not need to accommodate employees who could not substantially perform their job duties even with reasonable accommodations.

Employees who have long-term health issues or who become pregnant often rely on FMLA to supplement sick time or parental leave. If your company is large enough that FMLA protects your employees, you will also need to ensure that you comply with this important federal labor law.

Preventing Harassment and Hostile Work Environments

As an employer, you have a duty to prevent your employees from being harassed at work. If harassment against a certain employee becomes severe and persistent, you may have some legal accountability for allowing it to continue. Hostile work environment claims arise when severe and persistent workplace harassment is based on the plaintiff's protected characteristics. For example, if a transgender employee is routinely mocked for her gender identity, she may claim that she is facing a hostile work environment. These claims are often threatened, but rarely succeed.

Preventing Workplace Discrimination Claims

Employers cannot discriminate on the basis of an employee's protected personal traits, such as race, religion, disability, age over 40, or national origin. Illinois law also prohibits discrimination on the basis of a worker's family responsibilities or past criminal convictions, unless there is a substantial relationship between the conviction and the job duties. Employers often have valid concerns about preventing even the appearance of discrimination. Having an attorney's guidance as you navigate workplace discrimination issues can be invaluable.

To ensure that they are abiding by state and federal laws regarding discrimination, employers may need to file certain types of reports and obtain certifications. These requirements generally apply to private employers with at least 100 employees. We can help employers prepare and file EEO-1 reports with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and obtain an Equal Pay Registration Certificate (EPRC) from the Illinois Department of Labor.

Understanding Retaliation Claims

When an employee has taken certain protected legal actions against you, you cannot retaliate by taking adverse employment action against the employee. Protected employees can include whistleblowers and people who have used workers' compensation. It is important to speak to an attorney before taking adverse action against an employee you have a past or ongoing legal dispute involving.

Contact a Wheaton, Illinois Employment Law for Employers Attorney

JSL Law, LLC is skilled in helping employers prevent and resolve employment disputes. Experienced Wheaton, IL employment law attorney Jolianne Alexander will guide you as you navigate employer-employee relations. Contact us at 630-730-8135 for a complimentary consultation.