In addition to learning fundamental HR skills, such as how to read resumes, interview candidates and provide ongoing support for new employees, HR professionals must be proficient in many areas of Nevada employment law. This not only helps them create a positive working environment that bolsters employee morale, but it also ensures that your company will not be the subject of a work-related lawsuit that could jeopardize your standing in the business community.

You can easily design a Nevada labor and environmental law education and training program by following a few easy steps:

1. Research Nevada employment laws in official documents.

2. Stay on top of the issues by reading articles that Nevada labor law attorneys make available on their websites.

3. Advance your training on employment laws in Nevada by attending seminars that well-known professionals sponsor.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find original sources of labor laws in Nevada

Before your staff can fully comprehend the impact of Nevada labor laws, they must know where to get the full text versions contained in the statutes that were passed by the state's legislature. HR staff needs this skill in order to revise the company's HR policy and suggest alternative strategies.

I recommend: Access the Nevada State Legislature website when you must search for the statutes regarding employment practices. Check E L Infonet.com for published articles explaining how recent Nevada Supreme Court decisions impact all businesses in the state. Read text versions of Nevada labor laws respecting minimum wage, discrimination and workers' compensation claims at Labor Law Talk. Search for published opinions dealing with employment law issues on the Nevada Supreme Court website.

Learn the issues from labor lawyers in Nevada and other legal professionals

Urge your HR staff to continue their study of labor laws by monitoring recent court opinions and legal updates that top Nevada employment law firms publish.

I recommend: Check the comments under several categories of Employee Rights that are posted on Lex Blog. On the Nevada Appellate Law website, find out what the Nevada Supreme Court has ruled about employees who file lawsuits for workers' compensation benefits on the grounds that they have been stressed at their jobs. The national law firm, Jackson Lewis, monitors current decisions from Nevada's high court, which affect the sensitive issue of employer discretion.

Attend seminars on NV employment law

Advance HR employees to the point where they continue in their Nevada labor and environmental law education and training by hearing about labor-related issues from legal professionals outside of your company.

I recommend: The Latin Chamber of Commerce hosts an employment law seminar that aims to educate HR professionals and employers about employment policies that might give rise to valid claims against their companies. Attend a seminar sponsored by the Nevada Employment Attorneys so that you'll learn about new federal and state labor laws that impact your business.

Nevada labor and environmental law changes as new issues arise. Laws should be reviewed by your business regularly in order to protect your employees and your business.

You do not want your business to be forced to pay penalties or deal with lawsuits for either labor violations or environmental infractions. Avoid such problems by consulting with a well-trained lawyer who specializes in Nevada labor laws and environmental regulations.

Nevada labor laws cover a variety of issues such as:

1. The state minimum wage,

2. Required employee breaks,

3. Discrimination,

4. Harassment,

5. Nevada employee rights,

6. Overtime pay for different types of employees,

7. Safety and health protection.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Consult with labor lawyers in Nevada

Nevada labor law attorneys are more familiar with the statutes and regulations that Nevada businesses face than are attorneys from elsewhere. Look for an attorney who has experience in your specialty, a good track record and time to devote to your needs.

I recommend: Morris, Polich & Purdy specialize in Nevada labor and environmental law. They provide employment counseling, draft forms, and provide training on labor issues to supervisors and managers of small or large businesses. They also help individuals or groups avoid costly legal battles related to environmental issues. Nevada employment law firms like the Lyons Law Firm assists businesses and individual contractors comply with Nevada employment laws.

Post Nevada labor laws where managers and staff can see them easily

In order to protect your business and your employees, everyone needs to be informed of their rights and obligations as employees of a Nevada business.

I recommend: Good sources for Nevada labor law information that you can post throughout your business, particularly in break rooms or near time clocks, are the LaborLawCenter, GovernmentPoster.com and GovDocs.

Find help when you do have a problem with labor laws in Nevada

If your business is too small to hire a full-time attorney or human relations specialist with training in Nevada labor law, look at consulting firms. They can provide training, review policies, answer questions and evaluate whether complaints about labor law violations have merit.

I recommend: Swenson Consulting Services helps small businesses determine what they need to improve regarding Nevada employee rights and helps them do it. Similarly, the National Professional Employment Organization offers to audit your company and help you fix Nevada labor law problems.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If your business plans to deal with chemicals, check with the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection to see if you need a permit under Nevada labor laws.