The Employer’s Guide to Reductions in Force: What’s the Tea in L&E?

In this episode of What’s the Tea in L&E?, Labor & Employment attorneys Leah Stiegler and Scott Koven share insights on key compliance issues employers must navigate when planning a reduction in force (RIF). They explain why labeling a termination as a RIF doesn’t eliminate legal risk.

Leah and Scott outline the rules for group terminations, including when advance notice may be required for mass layoffs. They cover how to properly select employees for a RIF using documented, business‑based criteria such as redundancy or objective performance metrics.

The episode also covers when severance agreements can help mitigate risk in higher‑exposure situations, and why thoughtful communication and thorough documentation are essential throughout the process.