Your Legal Rights at Work

4 Things To Remember When Hiring And Managing Your New Employees

by Lewis Hamilton

When your small business is finally able to take on employees, you may not realize that you need to keep some things in mind to legally protect yourself and your business. Keep the following things in mind when you hire and manage new employees.

Avoid Illegal Questions

When you are interviewing people for different positions, you will want to know some things about them and whether they would fit in at your company. However, it is vital that you know what can and cannot be asked. In fact, some questions are even illegal. For example, you are not allowed to ask about someone's religion or marital status. To make sure there are no problems, only ask questions that relate to someone's ability to do the job they have applied for. 

Have Workplace Rules

Many small businesses hiring new employees don't take the time to put a workplace policy in place, and that can lead to conflicts and disputes. To make sure that your employees know what is expected of them, create a list of guidelines and rules regarding vacation time, sick days and other issues that might come up. It is also a good idea to detail how disciplinary actions will unfold.

By giving your workers written rules, you can avoid any misunderstanding about what is allowed in your company. You may want to ask that new employees sign a letter that verifies they are fully aware of any workplace policies and understand them.

Seek Training for Harassment and Discrimination Issues

If you or any of your managers discriminate against or harass your new employees, your small business could be sued. Therefore, it is critical that you and your managers remain aware of relevant laws and know what can be said to employees. Seeking training for these issues can help your company to be a better place for all who work there. Talk to your managers about ensuring that any new employees do not violate harassment and discrimination laws as well.

Don't Fire Anyone without Talking to an Attorney

Before you fire someone, talk to an employment attorney. Consulting a lawyer can make you more confident that you are terminating someone's employment properly so you can avoid a lawsuit or other problems. Your attorney can even draft a letter for you that you can use for all firings in the future.

Now that you know a bit more about how to protect yourself and your business when you hire new employees for your small business, use the information here to help you take the right actions. Be sure to work closely with an employment lawyer so that you can act appropriately with your employees. Contact a local employment attorney such as Timothy P O'Brien for more information and assistance.

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