Bridget Blinn-Spears Advises Businesses to be Proactive in Tense Times

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As protests and riots impact cities across the country after the death of George Floyd, Bridget Blinn Spears offers advice for business owners in the Triangle Business Journal article "Lawyers: Businesses must be proactive with employees, insurance in tense times."

Bridget spoke on the importance of employers ensuring the safety of people and the protection of property amid escalating tensions, as well as the need to encourage employees to keep discussions in the workplace respectful and professional. 

Excerpt:

A wave of riots that rocketed through Raleigh and across the nation has attorneys advising businesses to be careful, and proactive, as tension rise across the country.

“If you are a downtown business that has been damaged, I think taking care for your property and your people is your top priority,” said Bridget Blinn-Spears at Nexsen Pruet in Raleigh.

But across the board, employers have to be sure to reinforce policies in the wake of divisive events.

“The focus needs to be to encourage people to focus on work when they are working and then when they are not working to make room for disagreement, as long as it’s civil and professional,” Blinn-Spears said.

She noted that “the law treats social media like a water-cooler conversation,” so it’s helpful for companies to remind employees of discrimination and anti-harassment policies. “People are entitled to talk about their views of current events. They are not entitled to use discriminatory language and label people in the workplace,” she adds.

For businesses that could be in danger, she cautioned them to “be paying close attention” to what is happening in their community. It may make sense to board up windows and close early. “It’s a matter of trying to stay as informed as you can in the moment and keep employee safety at the forefront,” Blinn-Spears said.

To read the full article, click here. 

Nexsen Pruet serves clients from nine offices across the Southeast. With more than 200 lawyers and professionals, the firm provides regional, full-service capabilities with international strengths.