California Courts tend to favor the employee when an employment dispute arises between an employer and one of their workers. This is why well crafted employment contracts are important business documents and a vital component in any effective San Diego business strategy. The employer defense and business contract attorneys at the Watkins Firm do not represent employees. Our work is focused upon the employer and all aspects of employment contracts and the employment relationship. The employment contract and associated documents such as the offer letter and employee handbook establish the foundation for a productive employment relationship while protecting against future employment disputes and lawsuits.
Wage and hour and unpaid overtime lawsuits have skyrocketed locally over the past few years. San Diego employers must ensure that the foundation for employment is established from the outset of engagement with a potential employee. The offer letter and employment contracts are important business documents. They establish a very powerful defense against future lawsuits involving the California Labor Board, federal employment agencies and employees themselves.
It is important to immediately establish policies and procedures in advance of employment and within employment contracts to ensure that employees have a clear understanding what is expected of them, their responsibilities, how performance will be measured and the process for discipline and separation. This removes the employee’s ability to take a position that the terms of employment weren’t clear downstream and significantly reduces exposure to disputes and lawsuits.
This is especially true in terms of management and executive employment agreements and medical employment agreements such as physician contracts. Executive employment contracts should be individually tailored to ensure performance incentives while limiting exposure in executive severance negotiations and reducing the likelihood of an executive dispute.
One of the greatest areas of risk and exposure for a San Diego business owner lies in employee relationships and the employment contracts that govern them. We invite you to contact the experienced business and employment contract attorneys at the Watkins Firm for a free consultation at 858-535-1511.
