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.
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 …
How Unions Can Help in a Workplace Investigation
During questioning in a workplace investigation, workers may feel like their employer is targeting them for firing or discipline. Even if the worker didn't do anything wrong, an investigation interview is uncomfortable. Union workers have the right to ask for a union representative during questioning. Understanding your union protections during an investigation can help protect your employee rights. For up-to-date information about union protections during an internal investigation, talk to a …
Workplace Safety Violations: How OSHA Protects Your Rights
When you show up to work, you should not have to worry about safety or health risks. Federal laws require your employer to provide a safe workplace and take action to resolve any health concerns. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) plays a vital role in ensuring workplace safety and protecting worker rights. This is an overview of worker safety protections under OSHA and how workers can enforce their legal rights. For more information about how OSHA protects your …
The Americans With Disabilities Act in the Workplace
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects people with disabilities against discrimination in employment, public accommodations, and public services. Employers generally must offer reasonable accommodations to disabled workers so they can perform essential job functions. Workers experiencing discrimination or retaliation can file a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or a lawsuit against their employer for disability discrimination. Some states have …
Collective Bargaining: Understanding the Basics
Collective bargaining is when labor union members negotiate as a group with their employer for a labor contract. Federal labor laws require employers to negotiate with unions in good faith to come to an agreement on working terms and conditions. Union workers should understand the collective bargaining process and how federal law protects their rights. This article covers the basics of collective bargaining. For more information about collective bargaining and legal help, talk to a labor …
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