About John Devendorf, Esq.
John Devendorf is a graduate of UCLA and holds a J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law, where he was a Distinguished Scholar, recipient of the ALI-ABA Scholarship and Leadership Award, and a participant in the Immigrant Workers’ Rights Clinic and special delegation to Haiti.
A licensed attorney for more than a decade, John transitioned to a career as a legal content writer and editor after an externship with the IRS, a judicial clerkship, and practicing at a civil litigation firm in Princeton, New Jersey. John now lives in Portland, Oregon, where he enjoys writing, international travel, and escape rooms.
Articles written by John Devendorf, Esq.
How To Resolve Employee Disputes Legally
Employee disputes are a part of almost all workplaces. Even well-functioning businesses have employees who are unhappy with the company, supervisors, or coworkers. Resolving employee disputes quickly helps prevent problems from escalating into costly legal disputes. This article provides an overview of employee conflict resolution and strategies to resolve disputes quickly, effectively, and legally. If your company is dealing with employees or coworkers who cannot resolve issues on their …
Avoiding Misclassification: The Importance of Clear Job Descriptions
Misclassification of employees can result in legal battles, back-wage claims, and financial penalties for employers. Proper classification of workers clarifies the employer's legal rights and responsibilities. Clear job descriptions and staying within defined roles can help employers avoid costly legal issues. For legal help crafting accurate job descriptions to define the worker's role and classification, contact an employment law attorney. Understanding Employee Misclassification There are a …
Navigating Your Employee's Leave With Ease
Navigating employee leave requests involves more than making sure you have enough workers to get the job done. Employment laws are also at stake. State and federal laws give employees covered leave for protected reasons, including to care for family members and recover from illness. Employers can face liability for violating leave laws. It's important for employers to have clear leave management processes, not only to improve employee well-being, but to avoid legal liability. For legal advice …
Confidentiality in Employment Litigation: What You Can and Cannot Say
Confidentiality is important in any type of legal action. Employment litigation may concern discrimination, sexual harassment, wrongful termination, or a wide range of other workplace-related legal issues. Employer-employee confidentiality agreements limit what you can say or disclose about an employer or business. This includes confidentiality clauses within an employee contract or a separate non-disclosure agreement (NDA). Speak with a lawyer today if you have questions about what's …
Evidence in Employment Litigation: Preparing for Trial
Employment litigation is the legal process of resolving workplace dispute through the court system. Like any legal case, you will need evidence to prove your claims and recover compensation. Without evidence, your employment case won't succeed. For more information about what evidence you need to prepare for trial, talk to an experienced employment litigation attorney. The Role of Evidence in Employment Litigation Employment lawsuits rely on evidence to show the judge and jury how your …
Penalties For Lying on a Job Application
If you lie about your background or qualifications when applying for a job and your employer finds out about it, there can be serious consequences. Most employers can fire you for putting false information on a job application. In some cases, your employer can take legal action against you for material falsehoods. If you want to know what might happen if you make false statements on a job application, talk to an employment law attorney for legal advice. Understanding the Consequences of Lying …
How To Handle Retaliation from Your Employer
Employment retaliation is when an employer takes a negative action against an employee for something the employee did or said. Perhaps you reported unsafe working conditions, discussed your pay with coworkers, or took extended leave. Employers cannot retaliate against you for protected employment activities or reporting labor law violations. Workers can file a retaliation claim with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or file a lawsuit to recover compensation. For more …
Can My Employer Demote Me Without Cause?
An unexpected demotion can hurt your career and finances. Generally, employers will demote workers for performance issues or financial reasons. However, some employers demote workers for illegal reasons, like reporting unsafe work conditions or because of discrimination. Understand when employers can demote you without cause and when they need a reason. Talk to an employment lawyer about for legal advice. Understanding Employment Law and Demotion Employment laws apply to all aspects of …
Non-Compete Agreements: How Do They Affect Careers?
A non-compete contract is a legally binding agreement in which an employee agrees not to engage in competitive activities against their employer during or after the employment relationship. These legal agreements are intended to protect the employer's business interests. A non-compete agreement might only take a paragraph or two in your employment contract, but it can become a roadblock to your future career. They can restrict your next move, limiting your ability to get a new job and even …
Can My Employer Monitor My Emails and Internet Usage?
Legitimate business reasons for monitoring employees include enhanced security, enforcing productivity, and ensuring policy compliance. Responsible companies balance the need for employee monitoring with respect for the employee's privacy rights. You open your work laptop and send a quick personal email only to wonder, “Is my boss reading this?” Employee privacy in the workplace is a legal gray area, often leaving workers confused about what employers can and cannot monitor. While companies …
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