Labor Relations
Personnel Policy and Employee Handbook Reviews
Employment law is always evolving. In recent years, the Illinois and federal legislatures have passed several pieces of legislation directly impacting an employer’s obligations and enhancing employee rights. New legal requirements require a review of existing personnel policy manuals and employee handbooks to ensure continued legal compliance.
We regularly assist clients with drafting and revising policy manuals and handbooks. Our team is up to date on the newest laws impacting the workplace, as we consistently monitor draft legislation that may impact employers.
Tenured Teacher and Faculty Member Dismissal Hearings
Tenure law is well-grounded in the Illinois School Code and the Illinois Public Community College Act. Tenure laws grant extensive employment rights to tenured teachers and faculty members, including the right to an independent hearing after a board of education or board of trustees dismisses the tenured employee. The independent dismissal hearing process is high-stakes and requires a keen knowledge of the facts and applicable tenure law.
The decades of experience our firm has representing school districts and community colleges are invaluable in guiding clients throughout a tenured teacher or faculty member dismissal hearing. We help clients navigate this challenging process to ensure the desired outcome is achieved.
Human Resources Compliance
Every workplace faces challenging human resources and personnel issues, whether it is responding to an employee’s request for a leave of absence or workplace accommodation or determining an appropriate level of disciplinary action for employee misconduct. No matter the specific issue, addressing each requires a thorough analysis of the facts and a firm understanding of employer policies and the application of state and federal law. When employers fail to fully understand the facts of each situation or fail to apply the appropriate policy or law, they face unnecessary legal exposure.
Our firm counsels employers on day-to-day human resources and personnel issues to ensure each decision complies with the employer’s policy and applicable law. Our attorneys stay apprised of developments in employment law to safeguard our clients against legal exposure. We take great pride in our ability to effectively counsel clients on day-to-day personnel issues with the goal of eliminating future exposure to legal challenges.
