Employment Contracts

How should we go about changing severance pay policies spelled out in employment agreements?

02/28/2011

Q. Can we reduce the severance amounts cited in employment agreements we have with certain staff as long as we notify them of the change?

Use last-chance agreements to force rule-breakers to either shape up or ship out

02/28/2011

Some employees think they can freely break rules they consider unimportant. Trouble is, other employees often follow suit. Your best bet for stopping such nonsense: Explain to the main culprit that his behavior is unacceptable—and then give him one last chance. Get that warning in writing with a formal last-chance agreement.

Legislature must sign off on government union contracts

02/23/2011

Despite tough fiscal times, labor unions are trying to squeeze out the best possible benefits for their members. But when the people of California will pay the bill, unions and government agencies need to provide a cost breakdown to the state Legislature. Otherwise the agreements won’t become law.

Make your arbitration agreements stick: Consult lawyer, communicate with employees

02/15/2011

If you’re considering so-called alternative dispute resolution, be sure to have an experienced attorney draw up the arbitration agreement. It should clearly state that all employment disputes will be handled by arbitration. Your role in HR is to take all necessary steps to ensure employees understand that agreeing to arbitration is a condition of employment.

Arbitrators can decide post-termination retaliation

02/02/2011

Good news if you use arbitration agreements: They apply to former employees who claim retaliation based on protected activity. The potential result: You’re less likely to wind up defending a lawsuit in federal court.

Court approves arbitration for NJLAD harassment claims

01/28/2011

A New Jersey appellate court has concluded that arbitration agreements can cover claims under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination.

Settling a lawsuit? 3 tips to reduce the IRS’ share

01/12/2011

If you’re embroiled in a contentious legal dispute, taxes may be the last thing on your mind. But errors in the way you draft a settlement agreement could mean thousands of dollars going into Uncle Sam’s pocket—instead of yours. Strategy: Try to minimize the income tax consequences of a settlement. And do it before you sign the agreement. Once that occurs, you’re stuck with the deal you made.

Beware forcing arbitration agreements on minors

01/11/2011

Here’s a problem that may never have occurred to management when it decided to use arbitration as an alternative to costly court litigation: Arbitration agreements are contracts, and not all employees can enter into binding contracts—minors, for example.

NLRB slaps $1.3 million penalty on Wilshire Plaza

12/21/2010

The Wilshire Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles will pay more than $1.3 million following a National Labor Relations Board ruling that it engaged in unfair labor practices during contract negotiations with a hotel workers union.

Can arbitration agreements include clause waiving employees’ statutory claims?

12/09/2010

Q. I am wondering if we can contract with employees to resolve employment-related disputes, including statutory claims, with binding arbitration. Are there any problems with this?