It’s a Friday afternoon, you’re trying to wrap up all the loose ends from the week and looking forward to spending some time with your family over the weekend. Then the phone rings. It’s a long-time client that runs a tow truck company. He’s decided it’s easier for him to pay all of his drivers as independent contractors… good idea???
Yes, while entrepreneurs and business owners are great at starting and running business, they are not always so great at employment law. That’s where you step in to counsel your business clients to help them avoid costly employment related lawsuits. Michael Freeland will discuss the following common scenarios that often lead to employer liability: independent contractors vs. employees, exempt employees, paying scheduled hours vs. the time sheet, final payment after termination, at will employees and retaliating against employees. Michael also talks about the dynamics of employment law, pre-litigation concerns, factors that determine independent contractor status, labelling employees as managers, potential damages, tracking worker’s performance & hours, failing to provide full pay at termination, the “employee in limbo” scenario, documenting attempts to contact AWOL workers and wrongful termination.
Michael M. Freeland has conducted state and federal trials, arbitrations and administrative hearings. In addition to his extensive appellate court experience, he is proficient in litigation and motion practice, mediation, arbitration and depositions.