Many HR professionals may relate to the “oh no, what now?” moment when they first learn an employment-related lawsuit has been filed. Although employers would prefer to avoid litigation entirely, it’s important for HR departments to have systems in place to assist with prelitigation and discovery needs.
The litigation process can be separated into four basic stages—pre-suit investigation and pleadings stage, discovery (exchange of evidence), trial or settlement, and posttrial enforcement or appeal. This article focuses on the first two steps. Keep this article handy as a quick reference guide when a lawsuit is filed or as a framework for your organization’s own litigation check list.
