The following are some tips for start-ups to help minimize the threat of litigation and protect their intellectual property assets.
Be Careful Hiring Independent Contractors
Most people who perform work for a company have to be classified as employees. Only those who meet stringent legal tests can be hired and paid as Independent Contractors. Generally, the person must have an independently established business, do work for others, be paid on other than a salary or hourly basis, be free from direction and control of the employer, provide their own tools and workspace, etc. If these tests are not met, the contractor will be considered legally to be an employee and be eligible for benefits, overtime, worker’s comp, etc. This can be a very costly error for a company to make.
Have a Confidentiality / Non-Disclosure Agreement
Many businesses succeed because of a unique or novel idea, device, method, formula, technique, process or business model. Protecting this confidential information is critical for most businesses. However, many start-up and emerging companies overlook this significant risk by not obtaining a confidentiality/non-disclosure agreement from employees or contractors. A confidentiality/non-disclosure agreement helps establish protection for certain types of information under state trade secrets acts, and can protect other information under contract principles.
The confidentiality/non-disclosure agreement should state with specificity the types of information the company considers its confidential and proprietary information, i.e. cost data, customer lists, general financial data, inventions, product specs, etc. The agreement should also specify the circumstances under which the confidential and proprietary information can be used (i.e. in furtherance of the company’s business) and should prohibit any other use or disclosure of such confidential or proprietary information.
Consider a Non-Compete or Non-Solicitation
In some states, such as Oregon and California, there are stringent restrictions or prohibitions on non-compete agreements. In other states, such agreements are easier to obtain, but still certain precautions must be taken. First evaluate whether a non-compete or non-solicitation is needed for your business and if so, for which employees and in which states. The agreement should be carefully drawn and approved by legal counsel.
Hire the Best Employee
To find the best applicants for a particular job, the employer needs to use some creative advertising methods. Don’t just advertise in-house or through the local newspaper or one on-line source. Consider advertising in national or regional professional or trade journals, minority newspapers or magazines. Use a headhunter if needed. Contact local colleges or specialty trade and business schools. If your recruiting plan is narrow, you will not get the most diverse and best-qualified applicant pool.
Understanding and Dealing with Discrimination and Harassment
Discrimination is making decisions based on differences. Not all discrimination is illegal. Discrimination is illegal in the employment context when an employer makes an employment decision impacting the terms or conditions of employment – hiring, promotion, demotion, firing – on the basis of that employee’s membership in a protected class – disabled, male, female, black, white, etc. Harassment is when a work atmosphere is not free from treatment based on protected class status. It does not matter if it makes the employee blush, cry, smile or quit – it is still harassment, and it can still get you in trouble.
- Employers can prevent harassment by:
- Enforcing the company anti-harassment policy
- Talk about the policy on a regular basis in meetings
- Remind employees how to report harassment
- Stop harassing behavior whether someone objects or not
- Do not engage in any improper behavior yourself
Provide a Policy Handbook
There are certain laws that require notice to employees. This is most easily done in an Employee Handbook. Handbooks should include policies regarding:
- “At-will” employment;
- Equal opportunity;
- Harassment and discrimination;
- Leave laws;
- Expressly state that employees are not guaranteed a particular schedule or a minimum number of hours each week or any length of employment;
- Summary of benefits – generally only, plan documents control;
- Required local, state and federal notices/policies/procedures; and
- Work rules/conduct.
- Probationary period;
- Progressive discipline; or
- For “cause” termination.
Discipline and Evaluation of Employees
One of the most difficult and unpleasant tasks of being a supervisor is the task of counseling, coaching and disciplining an employee. Usually coaching is a first step to dealing with performance problems or rule violations. Generally, disciplinary action follows either a clear violation of company policy or prior discussions with the employee about a particular problem. Principles of effective coaching, counseling and discipline are:
- Describe the problem behavior, including what policy is being violated and how the employee’s behavior is impacting the Company and coworkers.
- Explain the disciplinary action you are taking and why.
- If there is an excuse or your facts are challenged, investigate the matter further.
- Clarify future improvements needed and set a specific follow-up date.
- Express your confidence in the employee.
- Document the session, including the employee’s feedback and explanation.
- Copy the documentation to the employee and the file.
Know Wage and Hour Law
Wage and hour law can be complicated and confusing. One of the most common mistakes made by employees is improper classification of employees. Whether or not an employee is entitled to overtime pay depends on whether they are “exempt” or “non-exempt.” There are only three narrow categories of white-collar exemptions with specific criteria required: Executives (supervisors), administrative employees, and professional employees. In addition, outside sales professionals and certain highly paid computer professionals may be exempt. Each job description has to be carefully analyzed against the legal test. The exempt employee must be paid on a bona fide salary basis regardless of hours worked. All other employees are non-exempt and must be paid hourly and paid overtime.
Train Your Managers and Supervisors
Nothing causes companies more employment-related headaches than mistakes by front line managers and supervisors. Train every manager or supervisor to:
- Properly interview an applicant (including what not to ask).
- Ensure that all paperwork on a new employee is properly completed and submitted at time of hire (job application and resume, minor work permits, U-4’s, I-9’s, signed Handbook Acknowledgement form).
- Properly discipline and regularly evaluate employees.
- Don’t tolerate what is inappropriate workplace conduct (not “just” harassment and discrimination, but also conduct that is unprofessional, immature, or indicates a lack of anger control).
- Know how and when to document inappropriate workplace conduct, report it, investigate it; and preserve any evidence.
- Know how to report any work-related injuries or incidents (slip and falls, assaults, shopliftings and robberies) and preserve evidence.
- Be familiar with wage and hour issues.
- Consistently treat employees equally.
- Memorize the following mantra when it comes to counseling and coaching employees: IF IT ISN’T WRITTEN DOWN, IT DIDN’T HAPPEN (document, document, document!).
- Memorize part II of the mantra: IF IT IS WRITTEN DOWN, MAKE SURE IT’S ACCURATE, only facts (not legal conclusions), dates, times, names, conduct, penalties, notice to employee of what will happen in the future).
- Know when to call an H.R. consultant or legal counsel.
If an employee is not meeting expectations or completing a corrective action plan, do not be afraid to terminate the employee. If your performance evaluations and corrective action plans have been done properly, it can be a constructive parting for both you and the employee. However, before you decide to terminate an employee, you should carefully consider the decision and circumstances. Make sure your facts are accurate.
- Make sure there are no surprises.
- Be civil, concise, and compassionate.
- Respect the person’s dignity.
- Be truthful when giving the reasons for termination.
- Support your decision with facts and documentation.
- Have a witness present.
- Meet with the employee in a private, controlled environment.
- Retrieve all company property, e.g. laptops, etc.
- Consider having someone escort the employee out of the office.
- Know the rules for final paychecks.
- Cut-off all electronic access.
