Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Labor & Employment

Employment Law Issues In Corporate Reorganizations and Layoffs

Seattle Office, 701 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, WA

In these turbulent economic times, the pace of corporate changes is accelerating.  Layoffs, mergers and acquisitions are on the rise, and you may be confronted with the prospect of such a change at your company with little or no advance notice.  Unique employment law issues complicate these corporate changes, and it is best, in this economic climate, to know the rules in advance of the corporate restructuring that may be just around the corner.

In this program, we will provide you with the information and tools you need to navigate several key/recurring employment law issues related to corporate change.  The topics we will cover include:

Layoffs & Shutdowns

• Special requirements for obtaining employee release agreements, including the 45-day period to consider the agreement and the information disclosure requirement
• Advance notice requirements under the Federal and California WARN Acts
• Liability for unintentional “adverse impact” on a protected class
• Severance policies and severance clauses in employment agreements
• Risk of personal liability of directors, officers, and shareholders  for unpaid wages of a company that shuts down

Mergers & Acquisitions

• Whether and when new employees of the acquirer must be paid accrued vacation or severance based on the “technical termination” of their employment with the acquiree
• Successor liability for claims against the acquiree
• “Single Entity” Claims:  when a company’s employees may pursue claims against a parent or other affiliated company
• HR due diligence considerations
• Change of control agreements

All attendees will receive a detailed white paper and several sample forms relating to the program content.

PROGRAM SPEAKERS

Seattle -- Steven Feldstein