Employment-Law-Guide

New businesses need to know the importance of understanding and complying with State and Federal workplace laws. This is a difficult feat for small companies with limited resources or companies who have a vacancy in their HR department.

With no knowledge of workplace laws a new business may create a great risk to their company

including low employee morale

high turnorver

hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal costs, fines and backpay

manager's or supervisor's personal liability which could also result in steep fines or even imprisonment.

By obtaining information related to workplace laws the costs could range from high to low, or even no cost.

New businesses should protect themselves with a HR Manager and/or Employment Lawyer. Sometimes it's not feasible, there are other low-cost or no-cost alternatives for your new business. The small cost a new business would pay for experienced HR advice or research /verses the problems and huge costs which may occur from taking inappropriate action or no action.

When considering the low-cost alternative of hiring a Human Resource Consultant, the internet opens the door to other options.

When selecting an HR Consultant offline or online,

research the Consultant's background experience

education and credentials

references are extremely valuable in helping a company make a sound decision.

When a new business does not have the budget or time constraints for hiring an HR Manager or even an HR Consultant. Online you can find information to State and Federal laws that apply to the workplace which is designed mainly for those needing "hands-on" information to develop wage, benefit, safety and health, and nondiscrimination policies for businesses in general industry. www.dol.gov/compliance/guide

New businesses can find information about workplace laws at

SHRM -Society for Human Resource

Benchmark Outsourcing Group

Federal Department of Labor

OFCCP -Audit Support

OSHA

EEOC

When researching these sites, companies will learn which laws apply to them based on their size, industry and location. Please be sure to investigate the State laws very carefully because, State law are more generous then Federal law, the company will need to take action beyond complying with Federal law to meet State requirements.

1) - Hire an HR Consultant

For companies who do not have an HR Manager or when their HR position is vacant, I recommend hiring an experienced HR consultant. site Employee Relations and Employment Law Consulting, Affirmative Action Plan Development, OFCCP Audit Support, Policy Manual Development and General HR Consulting.

2) - Subscribe to a Legal Service

There are very comprehensive legal services that provide updates on employment regulations. BNA is a great source..

3) - Join An Association

There are associations that provide information to HR Managers and companies. Many have grassroots organizations that provide a forum for getting involved in the actual writing and approval of regulations and laws affecting the workplace on a State or National Level. SHRM (National Society for Human Resource Management) has a wealth of information on workplace laws, trends, new and pending legislation, or your local and/or State Chambers of Commerce.

4) - Conduct Your Own Research Online

An online search for an HR Consultant will produce many choices. A company should be sure to check client references of the consultant and review his or her experience, credentials and education before making a selection.