Gretchen W. Ewalt
Member
gwe@ral.haynsworth.com
Raleigh, NC
t: 919.233.4600
Areas of Practice
Affirmative Action
Employment
Education
B.A., cum laude, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1985
J.D., University of Virginia, 1988
Memberships
North Carolina Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section
North Carolina State Bar
Ms. Ewalt is an advocate for employers. She counsels management on employee discipline and discharge decisions and advises them on drafting employment policies and procedures. Ms. Ewalt defends employers against allegations of race, age, gender, sexual harassment, national origin, and disability claims pending in state and federal court. Ms. Ewalt also assists employers in preparing affirmative action plans and in complying with affirmative action regulations.
Ms. Ewalt has successfully represented clients before various governmental agencies, such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the North Carolina and U.S. Department of Labor, including the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs.
Ms. Ewalt's work includes:
- Obtaining summary dismissals in favor of employers in cases involving claims
of employment discrimination, breach of employment contract, and infliction
of emotional distress.
- Drafting affirmative action plans and assisting employers during audits and
onsite investigations by the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs.
- Assisting employers in drafting employee handbooks, with particular attention
to policies prohibiting unlawful harassment, Family and Medical Leave Act policies,
disciplinary procedure and substance abuse policies.
- Providing straightforward advice to management in responding to the complexity
of issues arising from the intersection between the Family and Medical Leave
Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
- Training management on a wide variety of issues, including effective interviewing
and hiring, employee evaluations and discipline, and employee discharge.
- Advising employers on how they can minimize their exposure to employment
litigation.