DBL Law has launched the Digital Workplace Team (DWT), a group of partners who counsel clients on how to leverage and minimize risks of workplace technology. With the advent of social media and increased use of mobile technology, employers face increased liability as they and their employees integrate these tools into the workplace. Members of DBL’s team draw on their experience across multiple disciplines including Civil Litigation, Employment & Labor and Technology to address clients’ digital technology concerns.
“It is our job to anticipate the legal issues that our clients will be facing related to social media and the unprecedented technological change in today’s world,” said DBL Managing Partner Gerald Benzinger. “Hospitals face privacy concerns when dealing with electronic records and HIPAA. Banks must protect client data and address security concerns posed by hackers. A family business has to be properly insured to protect itself from cyber-risk. DBL’s Digital Workplace Team pools the knowledge and experience within our firm to counsel corporate clients on the inherent risks of this evolving and necessary technology.”
DWT will assist employers by completing audits and evaluating current practices, implementing preventive programs and keeping companies abreast of new developments. The following are some of the services that DBL will offer.
Corporate Readiness
Employers face ever-growing concerns that arise from the use of social media and other technology. Companies must address workplace efficiency and implement practices to avoid possible governmental penalties or even litigation. DWT will assist employers by:
- Developing and training on comprehensive social media policies to address productivity, electronic communication, equipment use, and other employment and labor implications.
- Addressing regulations related to digital media that arise from the NLRB, EEOC, BWC and other governing bodies.
- Evaluating remote workforce practices for wage and hour laws, workplace safety, labor laws, competition and trade secret concerns.
- Understanding geoprivacy concerns in businesses due to growing utilization of GPS technology.
Workplace Technology
With the advent of cloud computing, increased use of third party services/ equipment and multiplying privacy concerns, DWT will address the impact of technology in the workplace by:
- Auditing and reviewing websites and other technology media for copyright, trademarks, privacy policies and terms of use.
- Evaluating privacy vulnerabilities with employee and client data, inadvertent disclosures, online data publishing and other privacy issues.
- Reviewing agreements related to licensing, product acquisition, hosting, e-commerce, cloud computing and other technology contracts and services.
Litigation Avoidance and Preparation
While every effort is given to reduce corporate risk, there have been a growing number of recent legal complaints related to digital media and workplace practices. DWT is equipped to represent employers in a variety of case issues including:
- Addressing E-discovery related to employer and personal computing use, including smart phones.
- Minimizing cyber-liability that arises from infringement of intellectual property, security breaches, and other concerns that may result from online technology.
- Limiting defamation and libel concerns that arise from social media.
For more information about DBL’s Digital Workplace Team, please contact Kelly Schoening at 859-426-2145 or visit dbllaw.com.