Because Managing Employees Is Complicated Enough. 
There may be a law for almost every employment issue, but knowing the law is only part of solving the problem. 

Sumner Law helps Ohio employers navigate employment compliance and employee relations with advice that’s practical enough to use in the real world. We counsel employers on matters involving federal and Ohio employment laws, including issues related to discrimination, harassment, leave, accommodations, wages and hours, workplace safety, and other employment obligations. 

We Can Help With Questions Like:
 ~ An employee’s performance has declined. What should we document?
 ~ We’ve tried everything. Can we terminate this employee? 
 ~ Two employees cannot work together. Is this a legal issue or a management issue? 
 ~ An employee requested an accommodation. What happens next? 
 ~ Someone is taking FMLA leave. How do we manage the process? 
 ~ An employee complained that the workplace is “toxic.” What do we do with that? 
 ~ A manager said something they probably shouldn’t have. How serious is it? 
 ~ An employee raised concerns about discrimination or harassment. What should happen next? 
 ~ We need to have a difficult conversation with an employee. How should we approach it? 
 ~ Is this person really an independent contractor, or should they be an employee? 

If you’re wondering whether you should call a lawyer, that’s usually a good time to call us. 
 

COMPLIANCE & EMPLOYEE RELATIONS 

We advise businesses on matters involving federal and Ohio employment requirements and protected characteristics, including race, color, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, religion, and other legally protected classifications. 

Our work may involve laws and regulatory requirements including:
~ Title VII
~ Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) 
~ Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) 
~ Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) 
~ Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) 
~ Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) 
~ Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) 
~ Federal contractor/OFCCP requirements, when applicable 

clients rarely call and ask us to “analyze an ADA issue.” They call because an employee handed them a doctor’s note. 
That’s the difference between knowing employment law and helping someone manage a workplace. We do both. 

THE ‘MESSY’ PEOPLE STUFF MATTERS.  

Not every employee problem violates a law. 
Personality conflicts, communication problems, performance issues, difficult managers,
and unhealthy team dynamics can still have a significant effect on a business. 

We help employers navigate those situations before they escalate, including: 
 ~ Employee mediation 
 ~ Difficult conversations 
 ~ Performance documentation 
 ~ Performance improvement plans 
 ~ Employee relations strategy 
 ~ ADA accommodations and the interactive process 
 ~ FMLA and other leave issues 
 ~ Workplace conflict 
 ~ Disciplinary decisions