You own a business, and you’ve had to hire people. Are you hiring them as employees or subcontractors, and do you have an employee handbook? Here is what you need to know about employees’ rights.

Christina Hynes Mesco from The Prinz Law Firm helps us look at what employers need to know about employees’ rights. Christina is a business and employment law attorney who advises small and medium-sized entities on a range of issues business owners might run into. Whether just starting or continuing their business practice, employment-related questions come up, and knowledge in employment-related litigation is key.

Christina is licensed to practice in Illinois but she gives general advice to clients all over the US. The Prinz Law Firm is located in Chicago, Illinois.

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Employees’ Rights – Key points

• It is not uncommon for a business owner to overlook the area of employees, yet it is one that is rife with misunderstanding and litigation.
• Employee contracts and formalizing employment relationships are vital to employees’ rights as they lay out rights and responsibilities of all parties.
• You must decide whether you need to hire an employee or an independent contractor.
• We offer tips to help in distinguish between employees and independent contractors.
• Non-disclosure or confidentiality agreements are used to protect your information.
• Restrictive covenants are usually a part of an employment contract.
• It is sometimes helpful to have different terms distributed into separate documents.
• Employers need to establish whether an individually negotiated agreement is required, which is primarily for key employees.
• When an employee is terminated, a severance agreement is used to obtain a “release of claims” that complies with federal and state statutes.
• Employment litigation can be very contentious and bitter.
• In cases of mergers and acquisitions, employees will be required to sign new employment agreements.
• A retention agreement can calm possible concerns of top employees and prevent disruption to business operations, as well as an offering monetary incentives,

Tune in to learn about employees’ rights.

Links and Contact Information

• The Prinz Law Firm
• Phone: (312) 212-4450

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