Managing LGBTQ Issues in the Workplace: Legal Obligations and Best Practices

SUSAN GROSS SHOLINSKY is a Member of the Epstein Becker Green in the Employment, Labor & Workforce Management practice. She counsels clients on a variety of matters, in a practical and straightforward manner, with an eye toward reducing the possibility of employment-related claims.

Ms. Sholinsky:

• Advises employers in all facets of the employment relationship, from pre-employment considerations and hiring to terminations and post-employment restrictions

• Develops and audits employers' policies and procedures to ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local law and best practices

• Counsels employers with respect to the avoidance of employment-related disputes, employee discipline, leaves of absence, accommodation requests, and termination of employment (including voluntary and involuntary reductions in force) Prepares employment, consulting, separation, and non-compete agreementsConducts workplace training seminars for employees, managers, and human resources personnel in a variety of industries

• Performs company-wide audits pertaining to various wage and hour issues, such as appropriate classification of employees as "exempt" or "non-exempt" under the Fair Labor Standards Act and state wage-hour laws

• Counsels multinational companies on the unique labor and employment law issues they face

• Promotes compliance with EEO laws and other statutes governing the workplace

• Represents employers in all aspects of labor and employment law, including discrimination, wrongful discharge, harassment, and employment contract cases

Ms. Sholinsky serves on the adjunct faculty of the Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations, where she teaches courses concerning human resources and the law. She also frequently speaks at events and webinars on employment law topics and authors numerous publications on employment law issues. Ms. Sholinsky is a member of the firm's Finance, Diversity & Professional Development, and Labor & Employment Steering Committees. She also serves on the Executive Committee of the firm's Women's Initiative. Ms. Sholinsky is also comanager and lefty second baseman on the firm's softball team, the EBG Bees.

Amanda M. Gómez is a Law Clerk – Admission Pending – in the Employment, Labor & Workforce Management practice, in the New York office of Epstein Becker Green. She will be focusing her practice on wage and hour issues and the preparation of employment policies and procedures as well as employee handbooks and manuals.

Ms. Gómez received her J.D. from Harvard Law School, where she was the Executive Submissions Editor of the Harvard Journal of Law & Gender. While attending Harvard Law, Ms. Gómez served as a Legal Intern at an organization that provides direct legal representation to asylum seekers, detainees, undocumented immigrants, and other individuals who are at an increased risk of deportation.