A lot of people ask me about why I charge a Consultation Fee of $300. Employment Law is different from other areas of the law. For example, with a traffic accident case, a lawsuit can be filed shortly after the accident. So a number of attorneys provide free consultations to individuals because a decision on filing a lawsuit can be made shortly after.

For people with Employment Law issues, the situation is a lot more complicated. Employment law requires employees and former employees to follow a “process” or protocol in order to address their issues. The purpose of meeting with me is to find out where you are in that required process and what options you may have.

The consultation fee is to make sure that only people who are serious about pursuing a path that may result in a lawsuit meet with me. The fee is also based on my years of training and experience to help guide you to the next steps. You are getting the benefit of my real world experience in employment law and other areas of the law. That is why a Consultation Fee is required.

What to include in an offer of employment

On Behalf of | Oct 23, 2021 | Employment Law |

Hiring a new employee is often a time-intensive task. Between posting job openings, reviewing applications and interviewing applicants, the process may have already taken up quite a bit of time. However, the process is not over after deciding on the right candidate. Employers in Hawaii should pay careful attention to the offer of employment. 

What is the position? 

While it might seem obvious or even redundant, it is important to clarify the position in the offer of employment. Along with the position, employers should list out job duties and expectations that pertain to that particular position. A clear and concise employment offer should also include information about: 

  • Salary 
  • Health insurance 
  • Sick leave and vacation days 
  • Procedures for employment grievance 

What about other agreements? 

Depending on the position, it may be necessary for the employee to sign additional agreements. Confidentiality and noncompete agreements are both common in certain industries, particularly those who work with newer technology or software. An exclusive employment agreement may also be necessary, which prevents employees from working at similar businesses at the same time. 

Having a clear offer of employment is helpful for both employers and workers, as they should lay out clear expectations on both sides. A signed employment offer may also come in useful if a worker tries to claim that he or she was not informed of certain conditions, such as pay, job duties or more. Employers in Hawaii should be cautious when drafting employment offers though, as careless mistakes could render an agreement unenforceable.