Creating or updating your organization’s employee handbook may be a daunting task but it is a task that must be completed. Employee Handbooks provide an effective and, often, necessary way to communicate your organization’s policies, standards of conduct and values to employees; however, a poorly drafted handbook may create serious problems, such as creating a risk for liability or openings for union organizing. We will discuss the common mistakes often made in drafting policies and important strategies to eliminate those errors. Updates in the law and their impact on certain policies, including Social Media, Union Prevention, Electronic Communication, Equal Employment Opportunity, etc. will be reviewed as well best practices and common traps in drafting Employee Handbooks. We will examine those policies which, while not legally required, really are necessary as well as identify those policies which might vary, depending on the location(s) in which your organization operates.
|
Michael S. Cohen, J.D.
Partner
Duane Morris, LLP
Connect Online with this Speaker
   |
Michael S. Cohen is a partner in Duane Morris’ Employment, Labor, Benefits and Immigration Practice Group. Michael concentrates his practice in the areas of employment law training and counseling. He has trained and counseled employers throughout the country on subjects including harassment prevention; diversity, equity and inclusion; combatting implicit bias; performance management; discipline and discharge; hiring and recruiting practices; performance evaluations; FMLA, ADA and FLSA compliance; leave of absence policies; LGBTQ+ issues in the workplace; substance abuse testing; workplace violence; records retention; conducting background checks; and more. Michael also has conducted investigations into claims of harassment and discrimination and has drafted employee handbooks, employment agreements, non-compete agreements and post-termination agreements. Michael regularly conducts in excess of 200 trainings each year. He has represented clients throughout the country in EEO and other administrative proceedings.
Michael has been cited as a national authority on employment issues by The New York Times, The Associated Press, USA Today, MSNBC.com, HR Magazine, SHRM On-Line, Employment Law 360, Inside Counsel Magazine, as well as many other publications. Michael serves as an Advisory Board Member of GenHERation and as a Board Member of Serve, Inc. Michael is a 1997 magna cum laude graduate of Temple University Beasley School of Law and a cum laude graduate of the University of Pennsylvania.