Every day, business owners and managers make personnel decisions that could trigger costly lawsuits. Despite that reality, many of those same leaders operate without understanding the federal, state, and local employment laws that govern every aspect of the workplace. How can leaders conduct fair terminations? What steps prevent sexual harassment problems? How do you structure personnel policies that protect both companies and managers? Correctly answering these questions isn't optional. It's imperative to managing risk. The Employment Law Manual by Gerald L. Maatman, Jr., transforms this dangerous knowledge gap into a competitive advantage. Maatman, a leading employment litigator and law professor, draws on four decades of frontline experience defending companies in employment actions to provide a comprehensive, practical roadmap for building stronger, more productive workplaces that comply with employment law.

This essential guide follows the chronological sequence of employment relationships--from hiring to firing and everything in between--providing practical strategies that have been stress-tested in courtrooms across America. Unlike theoretical legal texts, this guidebook focuses on proven solutions based on real-world outcomes in litigation settings. Readers discover how to implement effective hiring practices, manage difficult employees, comply with documentation requirements, and conduct fair terminations. Maatman reveals the hidden dynamics of how judges and juries evaluate personnel decisions, sharing insights gleaned from winning and losing court cases, teaching trial advocacy, and hearing directly from jurors about what influences their verdicts. The book also provides case studies, checklists, sample forms, and step-by-step procedures that make it an indispensable reference tool for any business leader. Written specifically for business owners, managers, HR professionals, and executives who need accessible employment law guidance without the usual legalese, The Employment Law Manual is a leadership tool kit for making personnel decisions that minimize legal risk. It's also a blueprint and roadmap for building workplaces characterized by trust, fairness, and mutual respect that foster both productivity and legal protection.