You Could Be Setting Yourself Up For A Lawsuit (And Not Even Know It Yet)

The legal field is complex, convoluted and full of potential pitfalls. Sometimes seemingly innocent actions can have unintended legal consequences. There are various situations where accidental legal issues can arise, but the team at the Law Offices of Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter, & Welch, P.C. is here to discuss two common problematic areas: managing employees and posting on social media.


Managing Employees

Employees are people, too. You hire them to help your business grow, and while (ideally) that should be one of their top priorities as well, they will always have their own personal needs and values that may not align with your business's. Here are a few things to keep in mind about managing employees:
  • Consider utilizing an contract that outlines your confidentiality needs and specifies ownership rights of the materials developed while under your employ.
  • It is important to fully explain to your employees what sort of monitoring their online activity will subject to. If you have strict rules regarding the use of social media or personal emails while at the office, clearly communicate these rules and enforcement methods.
  • Hiring an illegal immigrant can have negative consequences. The I-9 tax form will help you confirm each prospective employee's work authorization status before hiring.
These three points are just a brief overview of the types of legal pitfalls that can await even experienced employers. To protect yourself, we recommend hiring a business attorney at the Lake of the Ozarks to help you ensure that you take the proper precautionary measures.

Posting On Social Media

Social media has become a pervasive part of our daily lives. We post daily updates to Facebook, Twitter, or our other social media platforms of choice with very little thought of the potential legal consequences that may result. Here are a few guidelines that can help you protect yourself.
  • Don't make discriminating or defaming posts. Committing libel or slander can result in severe consequences on both your employee and your business.
  • Don't post about company policies. An employer should make it a point to carefully explain which information needs to be kept confidential, but employees are always be better off playing it safe and not discussing work related matters on social media.
  • Don't post photos you find in Google. This is especially pertinent for internet marketers who may want to use other images they find online to help promote products or services. Using these images may violate copyright laws, however, and can result in nasty legal disputes.
Keep in mind that your social media posts as well as your personal messages can be used as evidence. Keep in mind, every post and/or message you send could be publicly displayed to everyone you know - employers, employees, family, friends, etc.  As long as your posts are not offensive or otherwise problematic if displayed to your various circles, they are less likely to result in negative consequences.

Our Camden County Attorneys Are Always Here For You!

As the old saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Whether you're managing employees, posting on social media, or acting in any other work related matter, we strongly encourage you to consult with your trusted local attorneys at the Lake of the Ozarks if you are concerned of the potential consequences. By talking with your attorney ahead of time, you will be able to avoid expensive lawsuits and extended legal hassles down the road. 
Law Offices of Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter, & Welch, P.C.
The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely on advertising. When you need a knowledgeable attorney, we invite you to contact us to set up a consultation. Evening and weekend appointments are available. We have access to interpreters.

We accept Visa, MasterCard, and Discover.


85 Court Circle N.W., P.O. Box 559
Camdenton, MO 65020   GET A MAP
(573) 346-7231 - Telephone
(888) 236-2485 - Toll Free
(573) 346-4411 - Fax

Location: Camdenton, MO 65020, USA

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

5 Reasons To Hire A Criminal Defense Attorney

Image
Criminal charges can turn your life upside down. If you are found guilty, you can suffer numerous consequences, including fines, imprisonment, and effect on your permanent record. If you are facing criminal charges, hiring an experienced criminal defense attorney can make a world of difference. Consider these reason why you should hire a criminal defense lawyer to represent your case. 1. Your Attorney Understands The Law It's no secret that the legal field is complex. Every law has exceptions, and every circumstance has different specific requirements. You need a criminal defense attorney that has experience dealing with these minute details and can help you use them to build a solid case. 2. Your Attorney Knows The Scene The Missouri Courts are like a world of their own. Each court has its own set of rules, social norms, and strict guidelines governing what behavior is and is not acceptable. If this is your first court case, you can not possibly know all of these unspo
Read more

Legal Tips to Be Aware of When Entering Into a Marriage

Image
Congratulations! It is 2019 and this is the year you are getting married. Among all of the wedding planning, you probably haven't had time to think about the legal side of getting married. While it is not the most glamorous side, it is worth taking a look into. For example, has your fiance brought up the notion of signing a prenuptial agreement (prenup)? It is best to know what all comes with a prenuptial agreement and the advantages and disadvantages of choosing to sign one. Our attorneys at the Lake of the Ozarks are here to give you a few legal tips to be aware of when entering into a marriage. If you find yourself need a prenuptial agreement drawn up, call Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter, and Welch   today for your free consultation at 573-346-7231. Legal Tips to Be Aware of When Entering Into a Marriage Do You Plan to Legally Change Your Name After You Get Married? If you plan to change your legal name after marriage, here is what you need to do. According to the Misso
Read more

3 Questions To Ask Your Real Estate Lawyer When Selling Your Home

Image
Have you ever considered how valuable an experienced real estate lawyer in Camden County can be to you? Having a Lake of the Ozarks attorney who can walk you through the ins and outs of real estate law can prevent you from making a huge mistake and could end up saving you a TON of money in certain circumstances. In this week's blog, our real estate attorneys at the Lake of the Ozarks are here to give you 3 questions you should ask your real estate lawyer when selling your home. If you are in need of an experienced real estate lawyer at the Lake of the Ozarks , call Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter, and Welch today at (573) 346-7231 for your free consultation. We are located near the Camden County Courthouse at 109 East Highway 54, Suite 103 in Camdenton, MO. If you are unable to call one day but decide you still need legal help and you are in the neighborhood, stop by. We have an open-door policy and we welcome walk-in clients. 3 Questions To Ask Your Real Estate Lawyer When
Read more