Employment

Wyche represents individuals and companies in virtually every aspect of employment law. Our employment practice reflects Wyche’s strong and innovative litigation capacity. We vigorously advocate for our clients in employment-related claims before federal and state courts, federal and state agencies, and arbitration panels. Wyche also provides advice and counseling to clients before problems emerge, helping to develop policies and procedures that limit workplace disputes and reduce exposure to costly litigation.

Our employment practice includes:

• Employment Discrimination, including Race, Sex, Age, and Religious Discrimination
• Disability Rights
• Sexual Harassment
• Wage and Hour Claims and other Fair Labor Standards Act Violations
• WARN Act Claims and Avoidance
• Severance Packages
• Employment Releases
• Employee Leaves, including Family and Medical Leave Act
• Employee Benefit and ERISA Counseling and Litigation
• Independent Contractors and Contingent Workers
• Substance Abuse and Drug Testing
• Employee Privacy
• Threats of Violence in the Workplace
• Restrictive Covenants and Non-Compete Agreements
• Employee Raiding and Defection
• Employment Torts
• Reductions in Force
• Policy and Handbook Reviews
• Assistance with Employee Discipline and Discharge
• Employment Contracts
• Executive Compensation and Stock Option Agreements
• Design and Implement Alternative Dispute Resolution Programs
• Class Action Litigation

Wyche provides in-house seminars for its employment clients, including training targeted to managers or supervisors regarding employment practices and personnel issues. Wyche also keeps its clients informed through timely alerts on important developments in employment law that may affect their businesses.

Representative matters include:

• We represented a large manufacturer that was sued following a workplace death. The trial court adopted our summary judgment argument that the employer was not liable for tort damages resulting from a workplace accident. The decision was affirmed by the South Carolina Court of Appeals.
• We represented an equipment distributor that was sued for breach of contract. We persuaded the court that the employer’s handbook was not a contract that could support a cause of action. The decision was affirmed by the South Carolina Court of Appeals.
• We represented an executive in a public company who was not paid the stock option award he was promised. Following trial in federal court, a jury awarded damages in excess of $1 million. The decision was affirmed by the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.
• We obtained summary judgment for a college and its academic dean in a lawsuit filed by an ROTC instructor alleging wrongful discharge.