About John Devendorf, Esq.

John Devendorf, Esq. Articles written 174

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.

Filing Your Wage and Hour Complaint: A Step-By-Step Guide

Federal and state laws protect workers against unpaid wages and other labor violations. A wage and hour complaint can help you get back pay for unpaid overtime and off-the-clock work. The following is a step-by-step guide for filing a wage claim. For help filing wage claims to get compensation, contact a local wage and hour law attorney. Understanding Federal and State Wage and Hour Laws Wage and hour laws ensure that employees receive fair pay for their labor. All employers must follow the …

Workers' Compensation: What Small Business Owners Should Know

Most small business owners must carry workers' compensation insurance to cover medical expenses and wage benefits for work-related injuries. The following article is an overview of workers' compensation, employer requirements, and how to handle claims. For specific information about workers' comp in your state, contact a local employment law attorney. Overview of Workers' Compensation Workers' compensation provides medical care and partial wage payments to employees following work-related …

Vicarious Liability: An Employer's Liability for Employee Actions

Under vicarious liability, employers can be held liable for accidents caused by employee negligence. Vicarious liability can depend on the type of accident and whether the employee was acting in the course of employment. Many employers underestimate how an employee's negligence can cost in personal injury claims, legal costs, and reputational harm. This article provides an overview of vicarious liability and how it affects employers. To understand how to protect your business against vicarious …

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 …

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