Faegre Baker Daniels focuses on complex and fast-evolving laws affecting the workplace. With a reputation for prompt and practical advice, we apply knowledge of laws and regulations throughout the United States, advise companies on immediate employment-related issues, and help employers develop long-term strategies and best practices to reduce business and legal risks.
Clients seek our advice on matters such as wage and hour classifications and compliance, workforce reductions, employee leaves of absence and disability accommodations, workplace investigations, hiring practices, disciplinary actions and employee terminations, affirmative action plans and requirements, safety and health matters, and management and employee training on workplace issues and developing legal areas.
Wage and Hour Legal Compliance
With wage and hour claims on the rise, and the potential for collective actions by groups of employees challenging a pay practice, we have expertise in helping employers review their employee classifications and other pay procedures to ensure legal compliance and minimize risk of liability.
Employment Contracts
We draft and negotiate employment contracts, including confidentiality and non-competition agreements, severance agreements, and executive employment and separation agreements. Integrating knowledge of corporate governance, securities, tax and employee benefits laws, we help companies develop executive employment and compensation arrangements that stand up to public scrutiny and support the strategic goals of the organization.
Corporate Transactions
We address employment issues related to mergers and acquisitions. We conduct due diligence review and support, provide analysis of deal terms related to employment matters, prepare employment and non-competition agreements for key employees, and develop strategies for workforce integration.
Affirmative Action/OFCCP Compliance
Most federal contractors and subcontractors are required to prepare annual written affirmative action programs (AAPs). We help clients in creating new AAPs, as well as in reviewing and updating existing plans. Our fixed-fee option for AAP preparation services helps employers comply with affirmative action requirements in a cost-effective and efficient manner.
EEO Compliance
We help clients minimize their risk of claims on unlawful discrimination, harassment or retaliation in a variety of ways, including training front-line supervisors, human resources personnel and senior management. We advise on personnel management issues, including discipline and discharge, to reduce the risk of a legal challenge. We offer products such as prototype employee handbooks, policy checklists, CD-based training modules and FMLA management software that can help HR professionals more effectively navigate complex legal areas for a modest upfront investment. We also provide assistance in preparing or reviewing responses to charges of EEO violations.
WARN Compliance and Other Workforce Reduction Issues
Our professionals are fully equipped to help guide employers through the legal aspects of reductions in force. We help our clients balance considerations of legal risk management and the desire to maintain positive relations with remaining and future employees. We help both union and nonunion employers work through reorganization and workforce reduction issues. When the need arises, our lawyers are fully prepared to defend employers in administrative agency proceedings and in state and federal courts against discrimination, retaliation, breach of contract and other claims.