How Your Employees Can Help You Avoid Legal Problems

A business is only as strong as its employees. As a business leader it is crucial for you to ensure that employees understand what is expected of them. Failure to properly train your staff can lead to significant legal problems including allegations of discrimination and harassment.

Preventing Sexual Harassment and Discrimination in Your Company

Although more and more companies are making harassment and discrimination prevention a top priority, these issues are still at the forefront of many people’s minds. If you do not currently have an anti-discrimination policy and complaint procedure in place, you are playing with fire. A sexual harassment or discrimination lawsuit can have profound consequences on your company’s bottom line as well as your reputation. Furthermore, Illinois law now requires employers to provide sexual harassment prevention training. Teach your staff about the remarks and actions that can lead to sexual harassment allegations – including those that take place over email, video conferencing, or other digital platforms. Ensure that every employee knows how to report instances of harassment or discriminatory behavior.

Teaching Managers How to Properly Conduct Interviews

Make sure that anyone conducting interviews understands what topics are off limits. Questions about an applicant’s race, national origin, pregnancy status, sexual orientation, or religion are not only inappropriate – they also violate Illinois and federal discrimination laws. Questions that reveal information about a protected category could be used to accuse your company of discriminatory hiring procedures. Managers who are not properly trained may ask seemingly innocent questions such as, “Do you have kids?” without realizing that these questions put the company at risk.

Remember That Your Staff Are Representing You and Your Company

When your Chief Financial Officer signs a business contract, your human resources representative accepts an employment contract, or other staff enter into contractual agreements, these agreements affect the entire company. Therefore, it is crucial that staff understand the legal ramifications of their actions. Furthermore, make sure that your staff understands that what they post on social media can also directly affect the company. Employees should always represent your company and your brand in a way that promotes your business’s continued success.

Call Us for Personalized Guidance Tailored to Your Business’s Needs

Properly training your employees is a key component to avoiding legal problems in the future. If your business does not currently have a comprehensive employee handbook, strong employee agreements, sexual harassment prevention policies, and other legal protections in place, contact the Gierach Law Firm for help. Call our experienced Naperville business law attorneys at 630-228-9413 to learn more. Schedule your confidential consultation today.

Sources:

Business Insider

Forbes