In almost all cases, employment law favors employees. While this makes sense when it comes to huge corporations in which individual workers can get lost in the shuffle, it does not bode well for small business owners. If an employee has filed a suit against your company for unlawful termination or misclassification, the team at MacVean, Lewis, Sherwin & McDermott, P.C. in Middletown, NY, will help. Below, they explain how.

By Examining the Issue From All Angles

Sometimes, the best way to resolve a dispute is not the easiest or most obvious method. For this reason, an employment law attorney will examine the issue from all angles before proposing a potential solution. Then, when it’s time to negotiate, the lawyer will not let the opposing party bully or intimidate you into accepting the most obvious resolution simply because it works in their favor.

For example, if you are facing a discrimination claim—which happens to be one of the most common kinds of employee lawsuits—settling may seem like the fastest and easiest way to resolve the case. However, this could cost the company thousands in back pay, front pay, emotional distress, and court costs. Fortunately, New York is an employment-at-will state, which means employers can terminate positions at any time for any non-discriminatory reason. The plaintiff is responsible for the burden of proof regarding discrimination, so if you have a paper trail that will refute any evidence they provide because it highlights the reasons for termination, it may be worth taking the case to court. 

By Devising Strategies to Prevent Future Disputes

Because most employment law statutes were written in favor of the workers, small business owners should aim to avoid workplace lawsuits at all costs. If you do end up facing a suit, an experienced attorney will explain why the company was vulnerable to this particular issue in the first place and then offer strategies for preventing such disputes from arising in the future.

For example, you can avoid future employee lawsuits by implementing strict policies that prohibit discrimination and harassment in the workplace. You can also devise training programs that clearly define discrimination and explain how to avoid it in all scenarios. The successful completion of this program should be mandatory for all managers. 

If you need an employment law attorney in Middletown, NY, turn to MacVean, Lewis, Sherwin & McDermott, P.C. Their team is well versed in resolving labor law issues in the public sector, as well as workplace disputes in private industries. You can learn more about their experience in employment law by visiting their website. Other practice areas include criminal defense, elder law, and estate planning. To schedule a free consultation, call (845) 343-3000 today.