Our Labor & Employment practice has adapted to dramatic changes in the area of employee relations. This area of practice was once characterized by traditional employer-union relationship cases. Today it is a complex and contentious field, with increasing federal and state regulations and employment litigation.

The firm provides both public- and private-sector clients with consultation and representation, not only at the negotiating table and jobsite but also before all federal, state and local agencies and courts. Because of the urgency frequently involved in labor issues, the group's focus is always directed to providing prompt and practical advice and service.

The firm offers services in the following areas:

Labor/Management Relations

• Union representation campaigns
• Single- and multi-employer collective bargaining
• Contract analysis
• Unfair labor practice representation
• Arbitration--grievance and interest arbitration
• Strike prevention, preparation and management
• Supervisor training
• Corporate reorganization and long-range planning

Employment Litigation

• Wrongful discharge
• Breach of contract
• Sexual harassment
• Civil rights litigation
• Employment discrimination--sex, race, national origin, disability, religion, marital status, handicap, age, AIDS
• Negligent hiring and retention
• Defamation

State and Federal Regulations

• Workers' compensation
• Unemployment compensation
• Washington 's Industrial Safety and Health Act
• Federal and state wage and hour
• Federal and state family medical leave
• Americans with Disabilities Act ( ADA )
• Hazardous material notification
• Veterans' rights
• Prevailing wage (Davis-Bacon)
• Affirmative action

Employee Benefits

• Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA)--plan, design, implementation and administration
• Multiemployer Pension Plan Amendments Act (MEPPA)
• Employee stock ownership plans
• 401(k) plans
• Keogh plans
• Trust fund litigation
• Employee welfare plans
• Executive compensation
• Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA)

Employment Practices

• Interviewing
• Screening
• Hiring
• Training
• Employee discipline
• Investigations
• Employee separation
• Testing
• Reduction in force management
• Drug and alcohol

Employment Agreements

• Employee handbooks and manuals
• Employer personnel practices
• Covenants not to compete
• Confidentiality agreements
• Severance agreements

We offer many unique services to help clients avoid costly litigation and create proactive strategies to achieve their employment goals. Learned & Associates, P.C. stresses the active preventative approach to increase client awareness of how to deal effectively with employment issues. Some of the means offered by us to achieve these goals include:

Risk Assessment and Evaluation
This review involves a thorough analysis of an employer's operations to ensure compliance with the myriad of federal and state regulations related to employment. Personnel practices and handbooks are reviewed to ensure that the employer is not inadvertently reducing its management flexibility or creating unintended contractual obligations.

Executive Training Seminars
Executive training seminars are conducted for top executives to help them evaluate and make top-level policy decisions relating to employment. These seminars give top-level executives the opportunity to meet with practice group attorneys to formulate long-term corporate strategy and planning in order to deal with this rapidly changing area of law.