Employment Law
From their offices in downtown Cleveland, the employment law attorneys at Nicola, Gudbranson & Cooper, LLC help business and corporate clients reduce employment-related risks by emphasizing a proactive workforce management system.
Employment Advice and Audits
Employment-related claims and complaints to local, state, and federal agencies can put a strain on company resources in terms of time, money, and lost productivity, not to mention the additional expense incurred if an unresolved complaint evolves into a lawsuit. NGC's business lawyers take a proactive approach with their clients, reviewing and analyzing company policies and human resource practices to ensure legal compliance and minimize the possibility of disputes arising in the first place. If litigation does arise, the business will have the documentation and procedures in place to competently defend itself in a lawsuit.
- Employment applications
- Handbooks
- HR Policies
- Job descriptions
- State and federal law compliance
Managing Personnel Issues
Dealing closely with corporate management and human resource departments can help to resolve workplace issues within a framework that protects the inherent managerial rights of the employer to make decisions in the best interests of the company. NGC works with business owners and governmental entities to establish effective tools for communicating and documenting employer expectations. NGC regularly counsels its clients in the following areas:
- ADA (disability law) accommodation and compliance
- Drug testing issues
- Employment practices audits
- Employee handbooks
- Employee and supervisor training
- Executive and physician compensation
- FMLA and leave issues
- Harassment and discrimination claim investigation
- OSHA guidance and compliance advice
- Reduction in force
- Separation agreements
- Teacher contract development and negotiation
- Wage and hour compliance
- Whistleblower issues
- Workplace injuries and intentional tort defense
- Wrongful termination claims
Help Desk
Most small businesses cannot afford to have their own in-house general counsel to advise them on a daily basis, yet as employers they face the same issues as major corporations regarding wages, hours, fringe benefits, and other terms and conditions of employment. The Help Desk at NGC is designed to provide ready access and answers for small and medium-sized businesses, enabling them to move forward on decisions with peace of mind on a cost-effective basis.
- Answers to common employment questions
- Payment on a fixed monthly fee basis
Litigation
Although litigation avoidance is central to NGC's business-oriented approach, employment litigation is a fact of life, and the employment litigation team at NGC is well-versed in obtaining cost-effective results for NGC's clients when litigation develops. NGC routinely represents employers in all types of employment claims and litigation, including:
- Discrimination litigation pertaining to age, gender, disability, race, and religious affiliation
- Sexual harassment litigation
- Wrongful discharge
- Theft of trade secrets
- Unemployment compensation hearings
- Ohio Civil Rights Commission Hearings
- EEOC Hearings
