While always seeking to represent the interests of its clients strongly, affirmatively and zealously within the bounds of the law, the La Mantia Law Offices, P.C. believes in a practical, reasonable, fair and balanced approach to the legal matters that involve employment issues and work relationships. This approach and philosophy provides a framework from which the La Mantia Law Offices, P.C. can provide effective representation to both employer clients/businesses and employees on such matters.

For Small Business and Other Employers

In addition to the structural and other operational decisions that must be made and activities a business and its owners, officers and management, must engage in from time to time, the importance of job staffing and employment decisions and activities cannot be over-emphasized. Because such contract, salary, benefits and other decisions and commitments can represent some of the largest expenses and costs of operation, and greatest liability exposure and risks, no business should undertake its decisions and practices in this area lightly. Given the ever increasing patchwork of both State and Federal laws, regulations and rules affecting such matters, a little bit of knowledge, information and advice can go a long way toward making informed and intelligent decisions with regard to assembling and properly managing your work force (including relationships with independent contractors and/or employees). The La Mantia Law Offices, P.C. assists small businesses and employers in most matters relating to work force and employee management, problems and disputes, including

-business/relationship planning and structures
• (e.g. independent contractor, employment, and outsourcing decisions, planning, and agreement preparation (including non-compete and confidentiality covenants and restrictions); development and preparation of policies and procedures manuals or statements; and State and Federal compliance planning)

-work force management
• (e.g. advice, consultation and representation regarding independent contractor and employee conduct, problem resolution, disputes and discipline; compliance reviews and audits; communications and response preparation for DOL, EEOC, ESC, OSHA, and IC matters)

-termination
• (when sound work force management requires such actions to be taken, the La Mantia Law Offices, P.C. assists employers/businesses in terminating employment and independent contractor relationships, including developing documents and reviewing disciplinary actions, preparing notices and letters of termination, and drafting separation, severance and/or release agreements)

- dispute resolution and litigation
• (whether business/employer initiated or resulting from the actions of an ex-contractor or employee, the La Mantia Law Offices, P.C. helps protect and enforce the rights of businesses and employers in arbitration, mediation, administrative hearings, and/or legal actions in the State and Federal courts)

For Employees

Job security and fair treatment in work place environments, policies and programs are often central issues in each of our daily lives and personal happiness. Additionally, there are very few situations more personally devastating or frightening than the abrupt and unexpected termination from a job, especially when such action involves the end of a long relationship and years of service or is accompanied by accusations of improper conduct or poor performance.

The La Mantia Law Offices, P.C. is a strong supporter of employment relationships and policies that are characterized by fairness, equal treatment, dignity and respect - both for the individual and business and each party's obligations under the law. In this regard, the La Mantia Law Offices, P.C. represents the interests of employees in a wide variety of matters and actions related to work place conditions and policies, improper treatment in the work place, wrongful termination, and other post-termination/employment conduct including:
 

• wage and hour matters (including overtime compensation and separation pay and benefits)
• safety complaints and OSHA matters
• family and medical leave and disability matters
• discrimination and/or harassment matters (e.g. age, sex, race, disability, ethnicity, religion)
• retaliation contested unemployment (ESC) matters (e.g. denials, appeals)
• severance agreement matters
• non-compete restrictions and confidentiality/trade secret matters