Peoria Labor and Employment Law Firm Representing Management
Trusted counsel providing defense against employee and union complaints
Companies in the Peoria area know they can trust Westervelt, Johnson, Nicoll & Keller, LLC to provide skilled counsel for labor disputes. As a firm with roots in the community for more than 150 years, we take pride in enforcing the legal rights of local businesses. Our advice covers every type of labor issue faced by management, from regulatory compliance to defending against employee lawsuits. In each case, we strive to deliver the best possible result for our clients in an efficient manner that allows them to concentrate on conducting business as usual.
Helping employers of hourly workers comply with wage rules
The current minimum wage in Illinois is $8.25, but many companies find themselves defending against other wage and hour disputes, including those concerning:
- Tipped employees — For those such as waiters, whose pay mainly consists of tips, the hourly salary cannot be lower than $4.95.
- Overtime pay — Most hourly wage earners are entitled to time-and-a-half after working a 40-hour week, but several types of jobs are exempted from overtime rules. We can advise you on how overtime affects your company.
- Required meal breaks — Illinois differs from federal law by requiring meal breaks for those who work more than 7.5 hours in a day.
Even when the amount in question is not great, violations of wage and hour law can result in serious sanctions. Our experienced attorneys not only represent businesses against such claims but can also help them anticipate and avoid disputes.
Fighting allegations of workplace discrimination
Allegations of discrimination based on race, sex or other protected characteristics harm businesses in a variety of ways. Even in meritless cases, there can be tremendous damage to a firm’s reputation before the truth prevails. We thoroughly investigate every allegation and gather the evidence needed to refute it to preserve your company’s good name.
Explaining the intricacies of OSHA compliance
The attorneys at Westervelt, Johnson, Nicoll & Keller understand that creating and maintaining a safe, successful business is more than a full-time job. Often there is not enough time for employers to absorb complicated government regulations and synthesize them for each employee. We keep up to date on OSHA rules and will find and summarize those that apply to your particular field. This way, even a large company with a diverse group of employees can be assured that the appropriate safety information is disseminated to each one.
Reviewing employee handbooks and manuals to avert lawsuits
The best resolution of an employee lawsuit is to stop it before it is filed. We use our knowledge of federal and state employment law to help our clients obtain this ideal result. Our attorneys work with clients to draft and enforce policies that promote a safe, compliant workplace. We understand that the best companies take an active interest in updating employment policies to adjust to changes in law and society. Even a company technically compliant with law does not want to be on the wrong end of a precedential decision.
Aiding companies accused of unfair labor practices
Labor unions can be quite aggressive in their relations with management. An innocuous remark might be turned around to support a baseless accusation of unfair labor practices. If a company’s employees are unionized or are considering forming a union, we work with management to avert the possibility of violating labor provisions.
Contact a trustworthy Peoria labor and employment law firm
If you need legal assistance with an employment matter, call Westervelt, Johnson, Nicoll & Keller, LLC at 309-671-3550 or contact us online to schedule a meeting.
