The Employer’s Legal Advisor

Employer’s Legal Pad—Chapter Four Checklist

Internal communications, including listening, can make a dramatic difference in resolving conflicts before they boil over into the legal realm.

• Get out there in your workplace (or assign someone to get out there for you) and understand the conditions and the context in which litigation might happen.
• Listen to employees, and act on complaints in a timely manner.
• Train managers and supervisors to speak up about problem employees and potential legal problems sooner rather than later, and reward them for their vigilance.
• Don’t put off a difficult conversation because the subject matter makes you uncomfortable. You are only delaying the inevitable and potentially making matters worse.