Labor & Employment

Everyday employers are faced with the challenging task of complying with a myriad of complex and ever-changing federal, state and local laws and regulations affecting the workplace.  Missteps can be costly.  Dufford & Brown’s Labor & Employment law practice not only focuses on helping employers, large and small, understand their obligations under these laws, but it also focuses on assisting employers in formulating and taking pro-active steps to avoid or reduce risks in employment relationships.  If disputes arise, Dufford & Brown’s team has the expertise and know-how to develop cost-effective solutions to resolve these disputes through early intervention, alternative dispute resolution, administrative hearings or litigation.

Specific Labor & Employment Experience

Dufford & Brown has provided employers with counseling and compliance advice on many issues, including:

• The hiring, discipline, termination, or workforce-reduction of employees
• Wage and hour classifications and compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
• The preparation and review of employee handbooks, employment contracts, trade secret agreements, non-compete agreements, and separation agreements
• The preparation and review of policies regarding equal employment opportunity, Americans with Disabilities Act, Family and Medical Leave Act, sexual harassment, drug and alcohol testing, and other similar policies
• Workplace investigations
• Employers’ obligations under immigration laws
• Training of management and employees regarding common employment risks that arise in the workplace

Dufford & Brown also has extensive litigation experience defending employers in matters such as:

• Employment discrimination and harassment claims based on disability, race, gender, national origin, age, religion and sexual orientation before the Colorado Civil Rights Division, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, federal and state courts, and arbitration panels
• Wrongful discharge claims, including claims for breach of contract, defamation, whistle-blowing, emotional distress, and violation of employee handbooks in federal and state courts and before arbitration panels
• Wage demand claims
• Arbitration of grievances asserted by various unions
• Other labor disputes, including disputes under the Railway Labor Act
• Claims brought under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA)