In episode 95, Coffey talks with Shannon Norris about the legal and practical logistics of employee layoffs.

They discuss what employers should keep in mind when planning a layoff in the current social media environment; the WARN Act’s requirements; Texas Payday Law considerations; misconceptions around severance agreements; the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act’s (OWBPA) requirements; whether there are any legal differences between furloughs, layoffs, and terminations; the best approach to decide who gets laid off; how to deliver the message; the logistics of laying off remote employees; and concerns about laying off employees on FMLA or any other types of leave.

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If you are an HRCI or SHRM-certified professional, this episode of Good Morning, HR has been pre-approved for three-quarters of a recertification credit. To obtain the recertification information for this episode, visit https://goodmorninghr.com.

About our Guest:

Shannon Norris has been practicing since 1993 in the areas of employment law, business litigation, trade secrets, civil fraud, and employee benefits. During that time he has represented a broad range of clients from Fortune 100 companies to small businesses and individuals. Mr. Norris has extensive experience with employment litigation, noncompete agreements, misappropriation of trade secrets, and occupational fraud. 

He is a regular speaker on topics relating to employment law, civil litigation, and human resources. 

Mr. Norris is also a Certified Fraud Examiner and a member of the Association of Certified

Fraud Examiners.

Shannon Norris can be reached at:

https://www.norrisfirm.com 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sdnorris

About Mike Coffey:

Mike Coffey is an entrepreneur, human resources professional, licensed private investigator, and HR consultant.

In 1999, he founded Imperative, a background investigations firm helping risk-averse companies make well-informed decisions about the people they involve in their business.

Today, Imperative serves hundreds of businesses across the US and, through its PFC Caregiver & Householdcreening brand, many more private estates, family offices, and personal service agencies.

Mike has been recognized as an Entrepreneur of Excellence and has twice been named HR Professional of the Year.

Additionally, Imperative has been named the Texas Association of Business’ small business of the year and is accredited by the Professional Background Screening Association.

Mike is a member of the Fort Worth chapter of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization and volunteers with the SHRM Texas State Council.

Mike maintains his certification as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) through the HR Certification Institute. He is also a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP).

Mike lives in Fort Worth with his very patient wife. He practices yoga and maintains a keto diet, about both of which he will gladly tell you way more than you want to know.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the differences between furloughs, layoffs, and terminations.

2. Develop strategies for selecting and delivering layoff notices, while minimizing legal risk.

3. Analyze the legal requirements for layoffs under the WARN Act, Texas Payday Law, and OWBPA.