Do I Need a Lawyer? What to Look for When Hiring a Lawyer
You didn’t see it coming and it knocked the wind out of you. You were furloughed. You were fired. Your employee sued. You did exceptional work and your client refuses to pay. Someone took advantage of your kindness, your flexibility, your willingness to help. You were sexually harassed. You were fired. You were treated poorly, taken advantage of, and it shook you to the core. Your emotions cycle between confusion, hurt, and anger. You may even feel shameful and embarrassed that you found yourself in this situation. At some point you wonder if it’s your fault and how could you have kept this from happening? But then you realize it’s not your fault and that you should do something; you need to do something. But you don’t know what to do. Someone you trust, perhaps your father, your spouse, sibling, or a friend, said you should talk to a lawyer. But you’ve never hired a lawyer before and you don’t see yourself as the type of person who hires a lawyer. It feels so aggressive and just the thought of … Continue reading
Paystubs and When An Employee Requests Records
How many times have you said the following words: “If I had known this, I would have done things differently.” That is a common refrain of many small business owners in California. Many small businesses have grown organically and owners often cobbled together pieces of agreements and policies from your former employers and samples on the internet thinking “if my big employer did this, it must be fine,” and generally “winging it.” It generally works pretty well, sometimes even for years, until it doesn’t. When given the opportunity to reflect, most business owners will have the nagging feeling that they’re doing something “wrong.” You’re trying your best, paying your employees well, giving them flexibility, and are fair. Unfortunately, that is not enough. One of these moments that highlights the extreme complexity of having employees in California is when the business receives a letter from a lawyer asking for a copy of an employee’s personnel file and pay records. Upon receiving this letter, you will probably ask: What documents do I have to make available? The employee left years ago, do … Continue reading