Blog Topic

You're Fired: Why Employment Practices Can Trump At-Will Employment
Posted by: Bill Du Val
May 10, 2011

Employment handbooks and other documentation are important, however they alone won't overcome a claim by a fired former employee under the employment-at-will doctrine.

Why? Because what matters most -- the trump, so to speak -- are your actual employment practices.

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Complex Disabled Worker Issues Need An Experienced Portland Employment Lawyer
Posted by: Phil Nelson
April 19, 2011

Disability laws such as the ADA can have an affect on your decisions as a business owner, specifically in your employment decisions.

But do you know how these laws can apply? Do you know what individuals are considered disabled under the law? And most importantly, are you protecting yourself, and your small business, by making smart employment decisions?

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Slinde Nelson to give Employment Law presentation to Bar Association
Posted by: Bill Du Val
April 06, 2011

Slinde Nelson attorneys Bill Du Val and Jason Hirshon present "Employment Agreements: Employment Contracts, Employee Handbooks and Non-Competition Agreements", Thursday at noon at the Standard Insurance Building, Portland, OR.

Their talk is part of the "The Fundamentals of Employment Law" series, sponsored by the Multnomah Bar Association's Young Lawyers Section.

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Oregon Court on Employers Providing Stock to Employees
Posted by: Phil Nelson
March 23, 2011

The Oregon Court of Appeals released a common sense opinion recently that confirmed the advice we give our clients on the effect under Oregon law of promising stock to employees.

We all enter into contractual relationships, employment or otherwise, with the belief or hope that it will all work out and no dispute will ever arise. But there is good reason to protect your business, and clarifying the rights and responsibilities of the employer and employee is a key first step to avoiding disputes.

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Employee Handbooks and Personnel Policies: Preserving Employers' Rights
Posted by: Phil Nelson
February 28, 2011

At times it can seem difficult to fire an employee in Oregon without fear of a lawsuit. However, employers have one over-arching right: the ?at-will' employment doctrine.

But that right can be inadvertently altered by contract, including employement handbooks. What can employers do to preserve their rights?

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Employment Disputes In Small Oregon Businesses: When the Shareholder is an Employee
Posted by: Phil Nelson
February 19, 2011

Oftentimes, shareholders in small Oregon corporations or LLCs are also employees. The compensation structure for an owner employee can be blurry. Where does ownership end and employment begin? When does a shareholder dispute become and employment law dispute? Unfortunately for our Oregon small business clients, even an experienced Portland employment dispute lawyer can't give them complete clarity.

Oregon courts have recognized what every good Oregon business lawyer has known for years. In many closely held corporations, one of the main benefits of ownership is the employment with the business you own. For most small business owners, their investment is not passive. The business is their baby; they spend years developing it, working it and working for it.

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