Workplace Law Advice & Counseling

Proactive employers take steps to reduce the potential for expensive litigation before claims arise by adopting effective policies – and then following them. Kathy Perkins works with employers to tailor their policies to fit business needs and organizational culture. She assists in development of employee policies on harassment, discrimination, disability accommodation, attendance and leaves of absence, Family Medical Leave, benefits, working hours and compensation, work rules, drug testing, company property, dress code, conflicts of interest, ethics, internet and email use and many other topics.

A well crafted employee handbook can set reasonable employee expectations and aid managers in making consistent decisions quickly. However, no set of policies can anticipate every situation that might arise. Kathy provides practical advice to help employers answer questions about legal compliance and solve employee problems. She relies on her extensive experience in representing employers in agency claims and litigation to offer solutions that will help the employer reduce the risks of litigation without compromising business needs and if a claim is made, improve the chances of prevailing at the agency level or obtaining a dismissal. Kathy counsels employers on issues including discharge, resolving or avoiding complaints of illegal discrimination or harassment, wage and hour compliance, drug and alcohol testing, discipline and performance management, employee leave including Family Medical Leave Act and worker’s compensation, accommodations for disabilities, the interactive process and communicating with employees who may have a disability, privacy, defamation, protection of trade secrets and affirmative action compliance.