This document outlines "Rob's Rules" for avoiding employment issues with employees. It discusses the challenging business environment and advises focusing on controlling factors like technology, policies, and rules. The top 10 rules are then outlined: 1) Hire well to mitigate risk; 2) Pay employees properly to avoid FLSA issues; 3) Evaluate employees quickly within 90 days; 4) Thoroughly document all employment actions; 5) Respond promptly to problems; 6) Maintain good policies on issues like harassment and leave; 7) Follow policies consistently; 8) Always act professionally; 9) Verify information rather than automatically trusting; and 10) Encourage problematic employees to leave voluntarily.

1. Rob’s Rules
How to Avoid Trouble with Employees . . . Hopefully
Robert C. Jackson, Esq.
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2. Who’s Rob and
Why Should I Care?
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3. We Live in a Challenging Business
Environment
• Economic Challenges
• More Demanding Employees
• New Technologies Reshaping World
• Increased Regulation and Legislation
• Business, in general, is Under Attack
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4. What Can You Do?
• Look at What You CAN Control
• Take Advantage Where You Can
• Technology, Economy, Good Policies and Rules
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5. Quick and Dirty Rules
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• Review Some Basic Employment Rules That
I Advise Clients to Live By
• Remember the Pirate Code
• “more like guidelines”
• Questions at any time

6. Quick and Dirty Rules
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Points to Remember
• One Size Does NOT fit ALL
• Business Size Matters
• Perception is Reality
• Make Omelets, Must Break Eggs

7. HSMcLaw.com
Rob’s Rules
RULE No. 1
HIRE WELL
Take Advantage of the Glut Of Applicants
Easiest Way to Mitigate Risk
• Hire Good People
• Treat Them Well

8. Rob’s Rules
Rule No.2
PAY EMPLOYEES PROPERLY
Primarily, FLSA Risk
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9. FLSA Is Dangerous
Targeted Enforcement in area,
Restaurants & Hotels
Tipped Employees,
Rules are Confusing
– Seeking Liquidated Damages in All Claims Now
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10. FLSA
Because of Automatic Fees, Small Technical Violations Can
Lead to Big Settlements
- Government Contractors Can Be Disbarred
- There’s an APP for That NOW
• DOL WAGE APP (Timesheet & One Button Contact
Agency)
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11. Rob’s Rules
Rule No.3
EVALUATE QUICKLY
generally, within 90 days
Mostly, Unemployment Issue,
but helps defending ANY claim
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12. Rob’s Rules
Rule No.4
DOCUMENT! DOCUMENT! DOCUMENT!
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13. Rob’s Rules
Rule No. 5
RESPOND TO PROBLEMS PROMPTLY
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14. Rob’s Rules
Rule No.6
HAVE GOOD POLICIES
Sexual Harassment, Leave, PTO, Others
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15. Rob’s Rules
Internet Policy?
• Facebook, Facebook, Facebook
• Now, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Four
Square, Flickr, etc …
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16. Rob’s Rules
Facebook
1 Billion users
Crossing line between work and personal lives

17. Rob’s Rules
Facebook Corollary No. 1
What goes on the internet, doesn’t always
stay on the internet
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18. Rob’s Rules
Facebook Corollary No. 2
What goes on the internet, stays on the
internet…forever
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19. Facebook – Protected Speech?
In flux, rules still developing:
NLRB sees wage or discussions of work
conditions as protected concerted activity
Government employers have 1st amendment
Fact based analysis-consult counsel
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Rob’s Rules

20. Rob’s Rules
Rule No. 7
FOLLOW YOUR POLICIES
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21. Rob’s Rules
Rule No. 8
ALWAYS ACT PROFESSIONAL
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22. Rob’s Rules
Rule No. 9
TRUST, BUT VERIFY
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23. Rob’s Rules
Rule No. 10
CONVINCE EMPLOYEES TO FIRE
THEMSELVES
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24. Wrap Up
Agency Update or
Questions?
www.HSMcLaw.com
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