We have frequently observed that operating a business successfully requires a forward-thinking approach. While an attorney experienced in business-related law can aid you in defending your business against a costly lawsuit, it is best if your business operates in ways that prevent costly lawsuits from being filed against it in the first place.
For example, nearly every business is vulnerable to employment-related lawsuits. However, if you operate your business in ways that prevent discrimination and harassment, your business will automatically become less vulnerable to these kinds of employment-related lawsuits. It is important to be forward-thinking as you create an anti-discrimination policy, train your employees in regards to it and enforce it as necessary.
Certain kinds of discrimination remain legal at a state level and some kinds of discrimination remain legal at a federal level. Your attorney should be able to advise you regarding what kinds of discrimination laws apply to your business and how to ensure that you are operating within their boundaries. However, if you are in doubt as to whether or not you need to avoid certain discriminatory behavior, your safest bet is to avoid that kind of discrimination.
For example, the LGBT community currently remains vulnerable to certain kinds of legal discriminatory behavior in the workplace. Yet, if you want to avoid LGBT-related lawsuits against your business, it may be best to avoid discriminating against employees in any way related to their sexual orientation and their gender identification. Where no discrimination exists, grounds for lawsuits cannot reasonably be found.
Source: Findlaw Enterprise, “5 Tips to Avoid an LGBT Employment Discrimination Lawsuit,” Le Trinh, June 29, 2015