By Chad Engle, Loss Prevention and Safety Manager
As a valued NIRMA member official, supervisor, or manager, you have access to a suite of resources designed to support your leadership within your county or agency. NIRMA understands the complexities and challenges that can arise in your roles, and we are committed to providing you with the tools you need to navigate them effectively. This article highlights two key services – the HR Help Line and Legal Link – that offer invaluable legal guidance, completely free of charge to our members.
Supervisors and managers often face intricate situations when it comes to leading their teams. From understanding the nuances of disciplinary procedures to ensuring legally sound hiring and termination processes, the potential for missteps can be significant. To assist our members in this area NIRMA developed the HR Help Line by partnering with the Woods Aitken law firm in Omaha. The HR Help Line provides direct access to experienced attorneys specializing in employment law, including Pam Bourne and Ashley Connell, who are familiar to many NIRMA member officials from their presentations at NIRMA’s educational programs. This service is exclusively for our member officials, supervisors, and managers. It is an additional tool intended to complement the opinions and guidance of your county attorney.
This confidential service empowers you to address Human Resource related challenges with greater clarity and confidence. Whether you have questions about:
- Discipline: Understanding progressive discipline, documenting performance issues, and navigating potential legal ramifications.
- Hiring: Ensuring compliance with anti-discrimination laws, crafting legally sound job descriptions, and conducting effective interviews.
- Firing: Following proper termination procedures, understanding employee rights, and minimizing the risk of legal challenges.
The HR Help Line, in combination with NIRMA’s Guide to Creating a Personnel System for Nebraska Counties, can be a crucial lifeline, providing timely and accurate legal advice to help you make informed decisions and mitigate potential legal risks in your supervisory capacity. Do not navigate these complex issues alone – leverage this valuable resource to protect both you and your county. You can reach NIRMA’s HR Help Line toll free at 866.896.6423 or 402.898.7423 or email
Recognizing that the scope of county government encompasses a wide array of legal considerations, NIRMA also provides our member officials, supervisors, and managers with access to free legal consultations on non-employment related matters with civil legal implications through Legal Link.
The attorneys answering member inquiries through Legal Link can provide guidance on a variety of topics that commonly give rise to claims and potential liability, including:
- Public Records Requests
- Law Enforcement and Corrections
- First Amendment Audits
- Contracts and Agreements
- County Roads
- Planning and Zoning
- Tort Claim Handling
- Premises Liability
- Public Meetings
Legal Link is designed to provide you, as a member official, supervisor, and manager, with the legal clarity needed to effectively perform your duties and contribute to the smooth operation of your office and county. By offering this accessible legal expertise, NIRMA aims to empower you to address challenges proactively and ensure compliance with applicable laws. You can reach NIRMA’s Legal Link at 402.742.9240 or by email at legallink@nirma.info.
As always, I can be reached at 800.642.6671 or chad@nirma.info.
