Operating a business in the modern world often means juggling dozens of tasks simultaneously. It is easy to lose track of your activities and make a mistake with employment matters.
Unfortunately, errors that violate state and federal labor laws may pose severe hardships to you and your company. You probably learned your obligations when you hired your first worker, but refreshing your knowledge is wise, as laws can change rapidly.
In the meantime, here are four common mistakes many employers make.
Improper paycheck deductions
Perhaps in the past, employers could dock an employee’s pay for perceived wrongdoings such as poor job performance. Today, you cannot arbitrarily take money from worker wages, even if you believe your grievance is fair.
Violating discrimination statutes
Anti-discrimination laws are necessarily complicated to ensure protection in a range of employment situations. Unfortunately, this means discrimination could be a problem in the company without your awareness. Learn about anti-discrimination, including your obligations under North Dakota and federal laws.
Not using employment agreements
Employment agreements may provide small business owners with protection from employee litigation. For example, you may include a clause stipulating that disputes be resolved through arbitration or mediation instead of litigation.
Lax record-keeping
Employers must keep accurate employment records. Failure to do so could equip a disgruntled employee for success if they claim you have paid them improperly. You have better odds of prevailing when you have records clearly supporting your side of the situation.
Again, labor laws are constantly under review and revision. Make it a habit to refresh your knowledge often to ensure no one has cause to seek legal action against your company. If you do end up in a situation where litigation is possible, it’s wisest to seek more information and legal guidance.
