Training & Consulting Services

Clifford & Garde, LLP has provided training and consulting services to executives, managers and supervisors throughout the energy and environmental industry.   These training efforts ensure that supervisors and managers have the knowledge and tools to respond to employee concerns.  The firm’s approach is to establish behavioral objectives for each specific course, modeling the course to the particular audience and its needs.  Once these objectives are identified, the material is presented in a phased approach, addressing the social context, legislative history, purpose of the employee protection laws, the application of the law in the workplace, and finally a workshop to provide participants with an opportunity to apply the law to familiar fact patterns.

The course material for investigators provides a detailed, lay-person approach to collecting and analyzing information in responding to a variety of adverse action complaints, i.e., how to investigate complaints of wrongful discharge or unfair discipline.

A similar approach is also utilized in the development and presentation of material to human resources professionals and investigators with a more concentrated emphasis on how to receive concerns, establish trust with a concerned employee, maintain communications, develop investigation plans, interview and investigation techniques, fact gathering, analysis of facts, report writing and presentation of reports to management, allegers and those accused of wrongdoing.  The course material for HR/legal professionals provides a detailed, lay-person approach to collecting and analyzing information in responding to a variety of concerns and complaints.

Work Environment Assessments

One of the most important services Clifford & Garde, LLP offers is the assessment of the state of a corporate work environment. The assessment techniques vary based on each company's needs, but all produce a "snapshot" of the views and opinions of the workforce on the state of key attributes within the company.

Generally, those attributes include the level of understanding of the company's vision and/or mission, mutual trust and respect among the workforce, productive communications, and other critical components of a healthy work environment. The data is collected on individual work groups, allowing management to focus resources and attention on specific areas needing assistance. The information is presented to both management and employees, with recommendations for improvements needed to enhance a safety conscious and productive work environment.

Investigation Services

On behalf of its clients, Clifford & Garde, LLP has investigated individual complaints of harassment, intimidation, retaliation and discrimination. These investigations, conducted in compliance with the federal laws governing them, provide an opportunity for companies to understand the facts and to attempt resolution before litigation, if appropriate.

In addition, the firm has investigated the impact on a workforce or work group of high profile litigation, media exposure or congressional oversight. These services have been provided to clients as diverse as oil companies, nuclear plants, county emergency service organizations, construction companies, environmental remediation companies and government agencies.

Mediation Services - Whistleblower Litigation and Mediator Experience

Clifford & Garde, LLP has also served as mediators in several extremely complex pieces of private litigation under federal employee protection provisions and state and federal discrimination law. This experience, along with both current litigation and active consulting in the area of employee protections, ensures that the firm is current in the law and active in the practice of employee and management rights and responsibilities.

Whistleblower Representation

Clifford & Garde, LLP represents whistleblowers in retaliation claims under federal and state employee protection laws.  The firm has extensive experience representing whistleblowers before the Department of Labor, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and the Department of Energy.

Employment Lawyers Providing Employment
Solutions in Today’s Complex Workplace

Clifford & Garde, LLP
1707 L Street NW, Suite 500
Washington, D.C. 20036-4202
Phone: 202.289.8990
Fax: 202.289.8992