About Charlie Plumb
Charlie Plumb is a labor and employment attorney with the McAfee & Taft law firm. He represents management in all phases of employment law and labor relations. Much of his practice is dedicated to counseling employers on compliance with a broad range of state and federal employment laws and regulations and educating management on best practices for avoiding disputes arising from the employer/employee relationship. He also has extensive litigation experience before federal and state courts, regulatory and administrative agencies, and in arbitration matters involving claims of discrimination, wrongful discharge, retaliatory discharge, breach of contract, and constitutional law violations.
As part of his labor practice, Charlie represents unionized employers in collective bargaining negotiations with labor unions, arbitrates grievances, and defends management against a variety of claims before the National Labor Relations Board and Department of Justice and in state and federal courts. He also represents employers who seek to maintain a non-unionized workforce by counseling management on union avoidance strategies and by providing training and advice to management and supervisors. His clients include numerous municipalities throughout Oklahoma and companies engaged in the manufacturing and distribution, construction, energy, public utility, technology and business services industries.
Charlie is a member of the American Bar Association's Labor and Employment Law Section and the Oklahoma Bar Association’s Labor Council. He is also the designated representative of McAfee & Taft as the exclusive member firm representing Oklahoma in the Employers Counsel Network, a nationwide affiliation of leading law firms providing legal assistance and representation to employers.
Charlie is a frequent speaker and author on workplace issues. He is also co-editor of the Oklahoma Employment Law Letter, a monthly review of new court decisions, regulations and laws that affect state employers.
Charlie’s achievements have earned him inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America (labor and employment law), Oklahoma Super Lawyers (employment and labor, civil litigation defense), Benchmark Litigation and Chambers USA Guide to America's Leading Lawyers for Business, where he has been lauded as “an impressive public speaker who utilizes his vast experience to effectively defend clients.” Researchers at Chambers & Partners also quoted market observers as admiring him for his “practicality of advice and specialized knowledge of complex legal issues,” with sources commenting that he “immediately commands respect, is always up to date and knows how to handle a problem.”
LABOR LAW UPDATE »
Pro-union poster rule strikes out
During the last several years, the National Labor Relations Board has taken an increasingly active stance in promoting unions and union organizing efforts. Yesterday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia struck down one of the NLRB’s more recent efforts, which required employers to post pro-union posters in the workplace.
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT »
ADA accommodation talk should occur before employment decision
For disabled employees, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires employers to consider the possibility of a reasonable accommodation that would allow disabled employees to maintain their employment. To satisfy the ADA’s reasonable accommodation requirement, an interactive discussion of potential accommodations must occur before an employer makes any employment decision.
EMPLOYMENT LAW UPDATE »
New I-9 form means good time to review your hiring process
On March 8, 2013, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) released an updated version of the I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification form. While the new I-9 form is effective immediately, employers have a 60-day grace period – until May 7, 2013 – to continue to use the prior version.
MANDATORY ARBITRATION »
Court enforces agreement to arbitrate
In a January 23, 2013 decision, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma continued a recent trend in Oklahoma cases enforcing arbitration clauses included in employment agreements or relationships.
RETURNING MILITARY VETS »
Limits on reemployment rights under USERRA
Under the Uniform Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), employers may not discriminate against employees based on military service. USERRA also affords employees returning from military leave with reemployment rights; however, USERRA does not guarantee reemployment under all circumstances.
WORKERS COMPENSATION »
Psychological injuries without physical injuries are not compensable
In some cases, employees who have suffered an emotional or psychological injury in the course of their job may seek benefits under Oklahoma’s Workers’ Compensation Act. However, a recent Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals decision reinforces the fact that psychological or emotional claims are only successful when linked to a compensable physical injury.
WORKER CLASSIFICATION »
Independent contractor or employee?
Classifying someone who performs work for you as an independent contractor or as an employee can have significant ramifications. The impact may affect obligations and liabilities for employment issues as diverse as health insurance, benefits, employment taxes, wage and hour, workers compensation, unemployment, and the like. During our recent webinar about independent contractors, many of [...]
7.5% in Apr 2013
5.0% in Mar 2013
5.6% in Mar 2013
Historical 
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FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT »
Employees who violate the law still awarded damages
You would think that employees who violate federal immigration and income tax laws could not turn around and sue their employer on a wage dispute — right? If you answered “yes” to that question, you would be wrong, as Safe Hurricane Shutters, Inc. recently learned.
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