5 Great Questions to Ask Your Employment Lawyer

As a startup entrepreneur, there comes a time when you need to expand and recruit new employees. Whether it’s to meet the growing demands, capture new market opportunities, or expand your operations, this is almost always a sign that your business is flourishing.

Whether you plan to make new hires or are navigating issues related to employment, however, it’s always paramount to consult an employment attorney. If you ask the experts from Eldessouky Law, they’ll tell you that a legal professional in employment law is an invaluable tool for any business with one or several employees on its payroll.

From preparing employment contracts to averting conflicts, preventing issues like discrimination, and even representing you in court, a seasoned attorney can help your business in many ways, including ensuring compliance with labor laws.

This makes it important to ask the right questions before and after hiring your legal muscle.

Questions To Ask an Employment Lawyer – Before Hiring Them

To make an informed decision when hiring a labor attorney, below are a few questions you can ask during your interview with them.

1. What type of experience does your team have with startup companies? 

When hiring an employment lawyer for your startup business, it’s important to know what kind of experience and knowledge they have in supporting businesses like yours. Ask your prospective lawyer about their past experience in representing employers and employees; specifically seeking to know how long they have been working on such cases. The more legal experience they have, the more likely they’ll be to benefit you.

2. Can you provide an example of a successful case outcome from helping a startup entrepreneur? 

Before hiring an employment attorney, it’s also important to understand the success rate they’ve had with similar clients. Ask them for details on one or more recent cases where they provided counsel to a startup company (or their employee) and helped in achieving positive results.

This will give you valuable insight into their skillset, knowledge, strategy, and creative approach to resolving difficult workplace conflicts – all of which are essentials for successfully navigating the complexities of employment law.

3. How frequently do you meet with clients to discuss their cases and follow up on their progress? 

It’s critical that the lawyer you hire is available to support your business through each step of a case or legal matter. Ask them for details on their communication schedule – such as when and how often they will reach out if there are any updates or clarifications needed from your end.

Navigating employment law can become complex very quickly, and having timely feedback throughout the legal proceedings could prove essential in getting successful outcomes.

4. Do you provide resources beyond legal advice to help entrepreneurs understand the complexities of employment law? 

When enlisting the services of an employment lawyer, it’s important to receive support beyond just legal advice. This is especially useful for those that are new to business law and need assistance with making informed decisions. Ask your potential lawyer about helpful resources, if any are available to ensure you not only get good legal counsel but also other information designed specifically for clients like you.

5. What fees do your services typically cost for businesses in my size range or industry sector? 

Your budget is another critical factor to consider when hiring an employment lawyer. The fees charged may vary depending on the size of your business and its sector, as well as other factors like the specific services you seek.

So, make sure to enquire about this upfront. Seek precise information that outlines exactly how much legal advice could potentially cost. Your prospective lawyer should be transparent enough, so you know what to budget for ahead of time. Where necessary, go ahead and ask about other potential costs associated with different outcomes should they arise.

Questions to Ask Your Lawyer – Once You Hire Them

Once you’ve hired a good attorney, there are a few questions you can ask to make sure you’re getting the most out of their services. Some examples include the following:

1. How can I comply with applicable employment laws?

It is important to understand the applicable employment laws in your area. Ask your lawyer for advice on how you can ensure that your business complies with all relevant regulations and legislation.

For example, you could discuss basic employee rights, pensions, and health benefits, procedures for managing staff members under different circumstances, as well as any other obligations that apply to employers based on local or industry-specific labor laws.

The legal professional can also be of help in framing rules and strategies tailored to the needs of your organization, which could in turn allow for smooth transitions when expanding operations further in the future.

2. What are the risks involved if I don’t follow employment laws?

Failure to adhere to labor laws can result in costly fines, reputation loss, and potential legal action by employees or other parties. For example, breach of contract issues and violation of workplace health & safety regulations could lead to serious consequences such as compensation payments.

It is thus important to find out from your lawyer, about the risks involved should you fail to comply with applicable employment laws. If they’re experienced enough, a good employment attorney can lay it all down for you.

Besides explaining the consequences of flaunting labor laws in various possible scenarios, they can even suggest measures to take when you need to limit any damage caused by non-compliance before it spirals out of control.

3. Should my staff have written job descriptions and contract terms? 

In many states and nations, labor laws require employers to prepare written documents that lay out job descriptions, contract terms, and other specifics for certain workers when joining the company. The document helps make sure that both employers and employees understand their contractual obligations, thus when entering the relationship.

It can also prove invaluable when disputes arise over issues like timekeeping, wage payment, and so forth. Since there are different forms of employment, however, it’s essential to consult with your lawyer to determine whether a professional agreement is needed, and how to create one that meets legal requirements while suiting both parties involved.

4. Do certain employees need to be covered by particular statutory protection or insurance schemes?  

Certain staff members may be subject to additional legal requirements and regulations, typically determined by their main activities and the nature of employment. For example, those working in hazardous environments or with low pay will often have additional protection under the law.

Ask your lawyer about potential risks linked to not complying with these extra requirements – such as implementing adequate safety protocols for worksites or providing appropriate insurance cover for vulnerable workers, etc.

Your legal professional can also help you discover what statutory protection is necessary depending on your business’ workforce composition and make sure you are aware of all special provisions that need attention when devising policy plans too.

5. How Can I Avoid Infringing an Employee’s Rights under Data Protection Legislation and the Law of Confidentiality?

All employers have a duty to protect employees’ rights, particularly when it comes to personal data. Personal, private, and confidential employee information should always be kept secure and only used for approved purposes.

This makes it important to ask your lawyer about the various ways in which you can ensure that any employee information collected is being handled properly in accordance with both local legislation as well as company policy.

All in all an employment lawyer is among the most important professionals for any growing business or startup company. From curating employment contracts to advise on navigating employment dispute claims, labor laws can be complex, and sometimes unforgiving if you’re not careful enough. The above are just a few of the many important questions you should ask a labor attorney before and after hiring them, so you can best protect your business as well as your employees!