Running a small business can be full of headaches. One of the most common headaches comes in the form of legal problems, specifically workplace related legal issues, according to a recent Employment Law Thermometer by TLNT. Further, the EEOC reports that claims and class action suits are on the rise and now employers are winning less than 50% of the time, worse than a coin flip. To help fight this, TLNT offers 11 litigation tips to help you be prepared. 

Top 11 Litigation Tips ever

11. — Investigate and document ALL claims. Even those against your CEO or superstar salespeople.

10. — Never, ever, ever, ever retaliate. Retaliation is now the No. 1 most common claim filed with the EEOC. Please don’t join the crowd.

9. — Establish litigation budgets and use fixed/flat fees. Law firms love it when you don’t manage litigation costs closely. Make lawyers live by budgets just like everyone else.

8. — Conduct early case evaluations. Game plan your litigation strategy early on. If settlement is appropriate, do it before you rack up lots of attorneys’ fees.

7. — Follow your own policies and contracts. Judges and juries hate it when you don’t.

6. — If it ain’t job related, it ain’t job-related. Want to get sued for discrimination? Make decisions based on factors that aren’t 100 percent job-related.

5. — Address known and systemic issues. Now. Please. Especially wage and hour issues, and especially in California.

4. — Model ethical behavior at the top. Want your whole organization to go under? Ignore this rule.

3. — Take the “Mom” Test. When all else fails, ask yourself this simple question before you make any employment decision: “What would my mother think?”

2. — Know the law. It’s changing faster than ever. Tune into the Blawg at least every 15 minutes to keep up.

1. — Love your employees. Treat others the way you’d like to be treated and you’re waaaaaaay less likely to wind up in court and/or jail.