Dealing with Employee Disputes? Here’s How General Counsel Services Can Help

Employee conflicts will always be a problem for companies. They may result from miscommunications, disparities in expectations, or more significant problems like discrimination or harassment. These disputes can cost companies not only money and effort but also their reputation and staff morale if they are not handled.

And that’s where general counsel services can help if you are having trouble handling these conflicts successfully. The following blog goes through what employee disagreements are, their typical causes, and how these services can help you handle these challenging situations like an expert.

What Are Employee Disputes?

Any conflict or disagreement between coworkers or between an employee and their employer is considered an employee dispute. These disagreements may appear as follows:

• Conflicts over pay or perks
• Allegations of harassment
• Claims of discrimination
• Conflicts over duties or responsibilities at work
• Violations of non-compete or contract agreements

According to a startling number released by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), in 2021 alone, American companies paid more than $439 million in employment discrimination settlements. This figure does not include the intangible costs of missed productivity and reputational harm to a business.

How Do Conflicts Arise Among Employees?

One or more of the following circumstances lead to disputes at work:

• Uncertain Company Rules: Misunderstandings are quite common when companies don’t establish clear standards about workplace expectations, employee behavior, or dispute resolution.
• Inaccurate Communication: Workplace disagreements are often caused by simple miscommunication, such as vague instructions or a failure to quickly address issues.
• Differences in Salary or Advancement: Employee dissatisfaction increases and often results in disagreements when they believe they are being treated unfairly when it comes to promotions, incentives, or wage increases.
• Conflicts of Personality or Culture: Differences in working methods or cultural backgrounds can occasionally lead to miscommunications in diverse companies.
• Breach of Employment Agreements: Legal action can quickly follow non-compete agreements, underpaid severance, or unclear termination conditions.

The Cost of Ignoring Employee Conflicts

Neglecting conflicts at work might have serious consequences:

• Financial Losses: According to a 2017 survey, workplace conflicts cost American businesses more than $359 billion a year.
• High Turnover Rates: Workers are more prone to quit toxic jobs, which raises the expense of hiring new staff and providing training.
• Reputation Damage: Top talent may be discouraged from joining your organization due to unfavorable reviews on websites.

The Role of General Counsel Services in Resolving Employee Disputes

Here’s how general counsel lawyers can help!

1. Creating Unbreakable Employment Agreements

One of the most common causes of disagreements is poorly written employment contracts. General counsel services makes sure that every employment contract is carefully created to contain the following:

• Roles and responsibilities of the job
• Benefits and compensation
• Confidentiality provisions
• Non-solicitation and non-compete agreements
This level of specificity greatly lowers the likelihood of future disputes and decreases uncertainty.

2. Establishing Clear Workplace Regulations

Clear workplace policies on harassment, leave, grievance procedures, and other topics can be developed and implemented with the assistance of general counsel services. By ensuring that everyone in the business is aware of the rules, these regulations reduce the likelihood of disagreements.

For example, consider a small IT company that frequently has disputes about overtime compensation. They created a complete overtime policy under the direction of these services, which reduced disputes by 70% in just six months.

3. Conflict Resolution and Mediation

General counsel services can serve as mediators in disputes, providing unbiased alternatives to resolve the situation. A general counsel, for example, can assist in describing expectations and assisting both sides in reaching a resolution if two employees disagree about project responsibilities.

4. Ensuring Adherence to the Law

The general counsel lawyers also guide the company to abide by all labor regulations, including those relating to discrimination, wages, and workplace safety. Thus, to prevent any kind of litigation and fines.

For example, a large retail company was sued for $200,000 for failing to comply with the FMLA. They revised company procedures after using general counsel services to guarantee complete compliance and prevent fines in the future.

5. Handling Claims and Investigations

General counsel services can carry out unbiased inquiries into significant claims like harassment or discrimination. They can help you settle the matter fairly and effectively by gathering evidence, speaking with witnesses, and preparing your company for future legal actions.

6. Employee and Manager Training

The right training can help avoid a lot of conflicts. General counsel services help departmental teams and staff handle problems effectively by providing workshops on communication, conflict resolution, and workplace ethics.

To Wrap Up

Employee conflicts and disagreements can become a nuisance if they are not addressed. They pose a high risk to your company, both in terms of financial means and reputation. However, you can avoid such disputes, settle them quickly, and establish a collaborative and clear work culture with the help of general counsel services.

Don’t wait for disputes to get out of hand. Reach out to us today. Monteleone Law Firm provides the best general counseling to protect your company and promote a healthy and productive work culture. Give us a call today!