Our employment law attorneys counsel and advise our clients on employment law compliance issues and assist them with preparing employment handbooks and policies. In addition to ensuring legal compliance, we are also experienced litigators who routinely appear in state and federal courts as well as administrative agencies (such as the EEOC) in disputes involving employment law. Whether you need assistance with an employment concern or you need representation before the EEOC or in court, we are fighting on your side.
Understanding Employment Law in North Carolina
Employment law, often called “labor law”, is a broad division of law that regulates all aspects of the relationship between employers and business owners and the people who work for them. Regulations and laws regarding wages, discrimination, hiring practices, and hours worked all fall under labor laws.
Do You Need an Employment Law Attorney?
Employment law is vast and complex, and business owners must comply with both federal and state regulations. Often, business owners are unaware of what regulations apply to their business and employees. Having an employment lawyer on your side helps ensure you are properly complying with all applicable regulations.
Compliance with North Carolina Labor Law
We work with business owners to help them maintain compliance with state and federal labor laws, educate their employees, and set up protections from employees by way of contracts and agreements. Our counsel regarding legal compliance includes:
Hiring Practices
We can guide you through the legal issues surrounding hiring practices, including child labor laws, discrimination, running background checks, and even understanding how to perform job interviews in accordance with the law.
Pay and Wage Issues
In addition to minimum wage and overtime laws, we can help you navigate wage deductions, legal paperwork related to pay and deductions, and how leaves of absence affect pay in certain situations, such as jury duty or family leave.
Employee Handbooks
While there isn’t a law stipulating an employer provide an employee handbook, having one is a best practice. An employee handbook ensures your employees understand their rights, provides clear communication of policy and procedure, and explains the legalities of employer/employee relationships. Having a professionally written handbook by a legal expert can protect you from false claims or incorrect allegations by employees.
Employment Contracts and Agreements
When you hire a new employee, it’s important to set up protections for yourself and your company. This is why we draw up contracts for the following legal issues:
- Employment agreements upon hiring, including rate of pay, start date, and benefits.
- Non-competition and non-solicitation agreements to prevent your employee from leaving to work for a competitor.
- Confidentiality agreements to protect your business from leaks and privacy breaches.
Human Resource Compliance Audits
Our team will provide a comprehensive audit on your human resources department to ensure you are complying with all aspects of federal and North Carolina labor law. We’ll bring non-compliance issues to your attention and show you how to make necessary changes in your hiring and employment practices.
Employment Litigation
While much of employment law in North Carolina revolves around maintaining compliance and protecting employers and employees, there is more to it. Our legal team also provides aggressive defense against allegations of wrongdoing or non-compliance, including:
Discrimination Based On
- Age
- Race
- Religion
- Nationality or ethnicity
- Pregnancy
- Disability
Wage and Payment
- Minimum wage
- Overtime
- Gender pay differences
- Payment and severance after termination
Wrongful Termination
- Retaliation of sexual harassment or filing a claim against the employer
- Retaliation for collective bargaining
- Termination based on discrimination
- Termination that goes against specifics of an employment agreement
Our Employment Attorneys Protect Your Business and Your Reputation
If you find yourself in the middle of a labor dispute, you need Green Mistretta Law on your side. We’ll fight to protect your business and reputation. Fill out our contact form or call our office at (919) 278-7453 to schedule your consultation. We proudly serve clients across North Carolina.