Colorado Mandatory Reporters

Colorado Mandatory Reporters

Under C.R.S. 19-3-304, there are numerous people that are required by law to report child abuse and neglect based on their profession. These individuals are commonly known as mandatory reporters. This includes many individuals which common-sense would say interact with children and know about abusive situations such as:

  • medical doctors in almost all medical professions including MDs, ODs, chiropractors, and optometrists;
  • dentists and orthodontists;
  • nurses and others involved in the treatment of patients;
  • most individuals that work with children such as daycare workers, teachers, school officers, and social workers;
  • religious personnel, including Christian Science practitioners;
  • therapists; and,
  • peace officers, parole officers, and firefighters.

In addition to the above, there are a lot of others that many times may not be so obvious. This includes some film processors, dietitians, and individuals employed with an athletic program. For some, this was the result of widespread abuse being learned out (such as with the Penn State child abuse scandal) after the fact or in others because new technology was created that resulted in new areas where abuse could be discovered.

Training

While many individuals that are employed through governmental agencies receive training on mandatory reporting and their obligations as mandatory reporters, for smaller businesses, training may be lacking and, in some cases, individuals may not even know they are mandatory reporters.

When to Report

For individuals who are mandatory reporters, if a mandatory reporter knows or suspects that a child has been abused or neglected (including reasonably suspecting that abuse or neglect is occurring based on what they observe then the mandatory reporter is required to report this to the proper authorities. In most cases, even if the mandatory reporter learns about this in what otherwise would be a privileged communication, the mandatory reporter is still required to report it.

There are special circumstances that apply in some cases if the abuse is learned after the person suspected of being abused has turned 18 since the abuse happened, the individual learns of the abuse through protected communication, or the person is no longer in a position of trust in regard to children under the age of 18.

For More Information

If your Colorado small business has employees that fall under any category that is required to be a mandatory reporter, as a business owner you should have rules and procedures in place to train your employees what to look out for and how to report it. If you need help with any policies and procedures for your Denver small business, including those for mandatory reporters, please contact me, your Denver small business lawyer, today at 720-258-6647 or schedule online today!

 

Contact Us Today

Law Office of E.C. Lewis, P.C.
Your Denver Business Attorney

LICENSED IN COLORADO AND NORTH CAROLINA

Mailing Address:

501 S. Cherry Street, Suite 1100
Denver, CO 80246
720-258-6647
Elizabeth.Lewis@eclewis.com

Online at:

Real Estate Services for Business Owners

Elizabeth Lewis provides the following real estate law services to small and medium sized business owners in Denver and throughout Colorado:

  • Commercial real estate purchases
  • Legal review of commercial real estate leases
  • Protecting your assets
Colorado Employment Law – 4 Regulations You May be Breaking

Colorado Employment Law – 4 Regulations You May be Breaking

Colorado Employment Law – 4 Regulations You May be Breaking

The purpose of employment law is simple in theory: to protect employees’ rights and define employers’ responsibilities and obligations. However, as small business owners know, putting those principles into practice and adhering to the thousands of federal and state statutes that cover everything from equal opportunity and fair pay to physical well being and safety can be very challenging.

Ironically, this can be especially true for employers who are trying to create an environment that allows employees more freedom. In many cases, bending the rules may mean you are breaking the law. And while your intentions are good, there can still be legal consequences including lawsuits from employees and penalties from the government.

Common Misconceptions About Employment Law

Is your small business unintentionally breaking Colorado employment law or federal law? Some of the most common violations include:

Flexible lunch breaks
In Colorado, the regulations around breaks and meals apply to employees and employers covered by the Colorado Minimum Wage Order. This order regulates wages, hours, working conditions and procedures for some employers and employees in these industries: Retail and Service, Commercial Support Service, Food and Beverage, and Health and Medical. It stipulates that “Employees shall be entitled to an uninterrupted and ‘duty free’ meal period of at least a thirty minute duration when the scheduled work shift exceeds five consecutive hours of work.” Consequently, if you allow employees to skip lunch so they can leave work earlier, you are in violation of the order.

Allowing employees to work longer days but not paying overtime

Colorado law specifies how employees are to be paid for overtime. This includes that they “shall be paid time and one-half of the regular rate of pay” if they work more than 12 hours in one work day. This is true whether it is at your request or by their own choice. So, if you give employees the freedom to work longer days but fewer of them, and any of those longer days exceed 12 hours, you must compensate them with overtime pay. Many small business owners incorrectly believe that if an employee chooses to work long days, overtime pay is not required. That mistake can result in penalties and being required to provide back pay.

Incorrectly classifying employees as independent contractors

The idea of classifying someone who does work for you an “independent contractor” can be appealing both to them and to you in some instances. However, incorrectly labeling a person that way can lead to legal issues. Generally speaking, a person is an independent contractor if you have the right to control or direct the output of their work, but they get to determine how it will be done. It’s a definition with plenty of room for interpretation, so getting some employment contract legal help if you have any questions or concerns is a good idea.

Excusing your staff from sexual harassment training
You may believe that your staff understands what sexual harassment is and will not commit it, and therefore you choose not to provide training that will take time out of their busy day. However, the State of Colorado Civil Rights Commission Rules and Regulations encourages employers to “take all steps necessary to prevent discrimination, including harassment, from occurring, such as: affirmatively raising the subject, expressing strong disapproval, promulgating and distributing an anti-discrimination policy, training, developing appropriate sanctions, informing affected individuals of their right to raise and how to raise the issue of discrimination, and developing methods to sensitize all concerned.” If you choose not to make training available, you clearly are not following this directive and may be opening yourself up to legal issues, especially if an incident occurs.

Complying with Employment Law – Do Your Homework

Colorado employment law and federal employment law are complex. However, the regulations are well documented. By doing some research on sites like the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment web portal and www.usa.gov/labor-laws, you can develop a general understanding of what is required of your small business. That foundation will serve you well when you then seek additional guidance from a Denver business attorney.

If you need help interpreting Colorado employment law, or determining whether or not you are in compliance with federal and state statutes contact me, Elizabeth Lewis, at the Law Office of E.C. Lewis, P.C., home of your Denver Business Lawyer. Phone: 720-258-6647. Email: elizabeth.lewis@eclewis.com

Contact Us Today

Law Office of E.C. Lewis, P.C.
Your Denver Business Attorney

LICENSED IN COLORADO AND NORTH CAROLINA

Mailing Address:

501 S. Cherry Street, Suite 1100
Denver, CO 80246
720-258-6647
Elizabeth.Lewis@eclewis.com

Online at:

Real Estate Services for Business Owners

Elizabeth Lewis provides the following real estate law services to small and medium sized business owners in Denver and throughout Colorado:

  • Commercial real estate purchases
  • Legal review of commercial real estate leases
  • Protecting your assets

Managing Employees and Keeping Good Records

Managing Employees and Keeping Good Records

Managing Employees and Keeping Good Records

Many small businesses thrive with a staff of one while others need dozens or even hundreds of employees to run smoothly. Regardless of how many people you employ, and whether or not you have a human resources department (which is likely you), it is important to follow labor and employment regulations and keep the same records for each employee. A Denver-based small business attorney will ensure you start off and stay compliant with all of the complex aspects of employment law from agreements and contracts to liability and workers’ compensation. This post will highlight what your employee files should and should not contain, so you are organized and protected in the face of an audit or lawsuit.

Hiring Employees and Obeying Employment Law

As a small business owner, your checklists never end. Hiring a new employee means yet another checklist: get an Employer ID Number (EIN), register for an unemployment account, sign up for workers’ compensation coverage, submit employment verification, classify workers properly, implement an employee handbook, display workplace posters, and so on. The various state and federal regulations can be dizzying, but once you have completed your new hire checklist, the next step is to maintain organized employee files.

Without certain documents on file, you are not only subject to costly audits and fines, but you are actually at risk of being shut down.

What Colorado Small Business Employee Files Should Contain

  • employment contracts, agreements, or acknowledgments between the employee and you
  • documentation related to employee performance, including commendations as well as disciplinary actions taken (this is particularly helpful when you are asked to give a reference for a former employee)
  • job description
  • application and resume
  • offer of employment
  • W-4 form
  • Colorado employee withholding allowance certificate
  • employee signature upon receipt of employee handbook
  • position/rate change forms
  • requests for time off
  • emergency contact and next of kin information
  • documents of any training programs completed by employee
  • warnings of poor attendance or frequent tardiness
  • documents relating to an employee leaving the company (exit interview or clear documentation of why an employee was terminated)

Maintaining certain records separate from employee files allows for appropriate access by managers, employees, and outside auditors while preventing people from having inappropriate access to other employee information.

What Employee Files Should Not Contain

  • documents or entries that do not relate to the employee’s job performance or qualifications (e.g. political views, private life, or criticisms involving race, gender, or religion)
  • medical records (if you employ someone with a disability, you are required by law to keep that employee’s medical records in a separate file with limited access)
  • Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9)
  • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) records
  • interview notes and employment test results
  • reference or background checks
  • drug test results
  • child support or garnishments
  • litigation documents
  • workers’ compensation claims
  • requests for employment or payroll verification

As a small business owner (and HR officer), it is your responsibility to provide your employees with a safe and healthy workplace, to comply with state and federal employment laws, and to maintain good records. Just as you keep track of your inventory or financial transactions, you should have complete records of all of your work with your employees. Your small business attorney will see to it that you are prepared and protected regardless of whether you are faced with an audit or lawsuit. Good records mean good business and peace of mind.

If you need help with employment law, contact me, Elizabeth Lewis, at the Law Office of E.C. Lewis, P.C., home of your Denver Business Lawyer. Phone: 720-258-6647. Email: elizabeth.lewis@eclewis.com

Contact Us Today

Law Office of E.C. Lewis, P.C.
Your Denver Business Attorney

LICENSED IN COLORADO AND NORTH CAROLINA

Mailing Address:

501 S. Cherry Street, Suite 1100
Denver, CO 80246
720-258-6647
Elizabeth.Lewis@eclewis.com

Online at:

Real Estate Services for Business Owners

Elizabeth Lewis provides the following real estate law services to small and medium sized business owners in Denver and throughout Colorado:

  • Commercial real estate purchases
  • Legal review of commercial real estate leases
  • Protecting your assets

Employee References – How to Tell the Truth and Avoid a Lawsuit

Employee References – How to Tell the Truth and Avoid a Lawsuit

Employee References – How to Tell the Truth and Avoid a Lawsuit

As a small business owner, you are likely the boss and human resources (HR) department all in one. This means the unfortunate task of firing an employee is yours. Once the dreadful termination is done, you are relieved and ready to move forward. Then, a month later, you get a call from a prospective employer asking for a reference for the employee you fired. Before you panic, decline, or say too much, know your rights.

Employee Job Performance, Skills, and Abilities

In Colorado, employers cannot be sued for providing information about former employees unless the information given is false. In many cases, you are protected from liability for certain types of information you give out, like the employee’s job performance, including work-related skills, abilities, habits, suitability for reemployment, and reasons for separation. However, you should not give any of this information out without talking to a small business lawyer about your specific situation as you could be liable for even giving out this information. There are enough bad cases and an endless number of potential circumstances that can leave you feeling vulnerable. A small business attorney will help ensure you stay compliant with Colorado state employment laws, from hiring your first employee to increasing your workforce to deciding to let someone go.

A Fortune article compares employment references to a legal hornet’s nest. Most business owners are well aware that they can be sued for defamation for badmouthing someone in a reference, but not many realize that you can be sued for giving a raving reference that does not match up to the employee’s performance in their new position. It is no wonder some employers shut down any requests for references.

Until you speak with a small business attorney, you should only answering the “who, what, and when” (i.e. job title, salary, and dates) of a former employee’s history. If you feel you need to answer more, for example because there are details that may be critical for a potential employer, speak with an attorney. What if you fired the person for frequent absence, poor performance, or grave misconduct? If you are reluctant to disclose such details, you can use a general comment like “I would really prefer not to say”.

Former Employees and Written Records

Some states have enacted service letter laws that require employers to provide former employees with basic written information about their employment – however, Colorado law does not affirmatively require it. Visit the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment for information on state labor laws that outline what employers can disclose about their former employees.

Hopefully, if you have had to fire an employee, you maintained documentation of the employee’s history with your business, particularly the details leading up to their termination. Despite your best efforts, they may blame you for their inability to obtain a new job, claiming slander or libel from your reference (or lack thereof). By speaking to a business lawyer before speaking to a potential employer, you can avoid or protect yourself from a lawsuit. Here are some precautions you can take.

Make a company reference policy. Be sure all of your employees are aware of the policy. If there are other staff members who are responsible for HR, make sure they know the policy well.
Keep it short. Do not volunteer extra or unsolicited information. It is best to keep your references short and to the point.
Provide only the facts. Keep your references as factual as possible. The truth is your best defense against defamation claims.
Designate who can give references. Select the most discrete and trustworthy employee, other than yourself, to give references. The more experience the person has with giving references, the less likely they are to say something wrong.
Create a reference request form. Include a statement about the possible disadvantages that are inherent to the reference process. This will provide you with another level of protection from liability. Requiring employees to review and fill out the form will supply you with detailed documentation as well as the right to decline a reference request if the employee did not fill out the form.

Employment Law is Complex

Employee references are just one small part of the large area of employment law. With its complex regulations and compliance requirements, employment law covers vast topics, such as contracts, hiring, and working with employees. The U.S. Department of Labor publishes an employment law guide for small businesses to develop employer policies on wages, benefits, safety and health, nondiscrimination and disclosure. For more on Colorado employment law essentials, see 7 New Business Essentials in Colorado Employment Law.

If you need help with employee references or employment law in general, <ahref=”http: www.eclewis.com=”” contact=”” “=”” target=”_blank”>contact me, Elizabeth Lewis, at the Law Office of E.C. Lewis, P.C., home of your Denver Business Lawyer. Phone: 720-258-6647. Email: elizabeth.lewis@eclewis.com

</ahref=”http:>

Contact Us Today

Law Office of E.C. Lewis, P.C.
Your Denver Business Attorney

LICENSED IN COLORADO AND NORTH CAROLINA

Mailing Address:

501 S. Cherry Street, Suite 1100
Denver, CO 80246
720-258-6647
Elizabeth.Lewis@eclewis.com

Online at:

Real Estate Services for Business Owners

Elizabeth Lewis provides the following real estate law services to small and medium sized business owners in Denver and throughout Colorado:

  • Commercial real estate purchases
  • Legal review of commercial real estate leases
  • Protecting your assets

Colorado Employment Law and Non-compliant Employees

Colorado Employment Law and Non-compliant Employees

Perhaps the only thing we dread more than being fired is having to fire someone. When we are dealing with a non-compliant employee, it is understandable that we would want to get to the bottom of the issue rather than jump directly to firing. This post will offer recommendations for getting to the bottom of what’s going on with a non-compliant employee, as well as some advice if a demand for compliance or termination is in order.

Non-compliant Employees Have Issues

I’m not just being tongue in cheek here – you may or may not agree with the issues that are causing an employee to be non-compliant, but you do need to know what the issues are and you need to hear it directly from the employee. It may feel like you can avoid conflict by asking the employee’s supervisor or peers what the problem is, but this will work against you in two ways. First, there is a good chance you will not get the story straight, and second, the employee may feel he or she has still not had an opportunity to express important concerns to someone who may have the will and ability to resolve them. You can assume that non-compliant employees have issues by their behavior – but don’t assume to understand what the issues are until you’ve listened carefully to the employee.

Positive and Negative Motivators

If you disagree with the employee’s reasons for refusing to comply, and you value the contributions the employee is making in other areas, consider applying a little motivation. Your approach will work best if you know how the employee thinks; some folks don’t respond to positive motivation at all, and others crumble at anything that can be interpreted as a threat. Once you decide what type of motivation you want to put in play, there are dozens of ways to do so.

Demanding Employee Compliance

Once you feel you have listened well and the employee acknowledges he or she has been heard and understood, you may wish to skip attempts to motivate the desired behavior and simply demand compliance. If so, consider the advice of Alison Green, who addresses workplace and management issues for readers of the Denver Business Journal. Green advises you set an expectation and explain that non-compliance “will jeopardize [the employees] job.” This should bring clarity to the request. Is it legal to fire an employee for non-compliance on any issue in Colorado? Colorado is an employment-at-will State :

Colorado follows the legal doctrine of “employment-at-will” which provides that in the absence of a contract to the contrary, neither an employer nor an employee is required to give notice or advance notice of termination or resignation.

As long as your reason for firing is not illegal (ex: sexual orientation, gender bias, etc.), you are permitted to fire as you see fit. Even if you are firing an employee for sound reasons, it is a good idea to document the problems leading up to the firing, just in case the employee sees it differently and decides to bring a wrongful termination suit against you. Ask your Colorado business attorney for advice about documenting employment performance issues, just to make sure you have covered your bases. Also, if this is your first time firing an employee, you may want to conduct a quick legal review of the process with your attorney.

If you have questions about Colorado employment law and dealing with non-compliant employees, , contact me, Elizabeth Lewis, at the Law Office of E.C. Lewis, P.C., home of your Denver Small Business Attorney. Phone: 720-258-6647. Email: elizabeth.lewis@eclewis.com

Contact Us Today

Law Office of E.C. Lewis, P.C.
Your Denver Business Attorney

LICENSED IN COLORADO AND NORTH CAROLINA

Mailing Address:

501 S. Cherry Street, Suite 1100
Denver, CO 80246
720-258-6647
Elizabeth.Lewis@eclewis.com

Online at:

Real Estate Services for Business Owners

Elizabeth Lewis provides the following real estate law services to small and medium sized business owners in Denver and throughout Colorado:

  • Commercial real estate purchases
  • Legal review of commercial real estate leases
  • Protecting your assets