Having represented both employees and employers based in California and the Pacific Northwest, Michelle appreciates the challenges that arise in managing a workforce. Michelle counsels employers (and occasionally employees) about best management practices under Federal, California, Oregon and Washington state laws. In particular, Michelle has provided the following services:
• Conducting workplace investigations of internal complaints of discrimination or harassment
• Advising employers how to respond to and resolve employee complaints
• Negotiating settlements of employment disputes
• Creating best management practices covering hiring, management, and termination
• Creating policies and procedures to protect company trade secrets and confidential information
• Analyzing and classifying exempt and non-exempt employees to comply with overtime obligations
• Creating or analyzing employment agreements
• Creating or analyzing independent contractor agreements
• Creating or analyzing employee handbooks and policies
• Investigating, advising and responding to complaints filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI), and California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH)
• Advising about protected leave issues (e.g., Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Oregon Family Leave Act (OFLA), sick leave, pregnancy disability, military leave, crime victims leave, domestic violence victims leave, jury duty, religious observation and school meetings)
• Drafting Separation Agreements