Advice for Employees

I have provided this advice to employers for more than 30 years, and my approach is informed by the learning from more than two decades of management practice.

Separation and Severance Agreements: When an employer ends the employment relationship, whether suddenly or in an expected move, it may offer a separation or severance payment in exchange for a release of claims. It can be difficult to evaluate whether the offer is fair and whether the terms and conditions offered are lawful. I can advise you or negotiate the severance for you and advise and negotiate the severance.

Executive/Individual Contributor Employment Agreements: I am available to consult with executives and individual contributors as well as employers on individual employment agreements. When necessary, we can involve your tax advisors as well, to avoid any unexpected tax consequences of incentive ownership grants.

Non-Competition and Other Employment Agreements: Both Washington and Oregon law have specific requirements for employers who wish to impose non-competition requirements on any employee after they leave employment. These include minimum compensation levels, and reasonable restrictions on competition in geographic scope and time. These matters often become disputes.

Services in this area include

• contract review
• active contract negotiations on your behalf
• consultation on ongoing discipline, performance documentation
• consultation on ongoing reasonable accommodation dialogues

It is critical that employees have clear contractual language specifying the obligations of both parties during and at the end of employment.