I Got Cease and Desisted. Now I Need Your Help.

I am an employment lawyer. I have spent over two decades helping employers avoid liability. Last week, I got a cease and desist letter. Against me.

TL;DR: I received a cease and desist letter demanding that I immediately stop using the name “The Employer Handbook.” After careful legal review, I am complying. The blog needs a new name, and I need your help picking one.

📄 Visit The Employer Handbook while the name still applies

Here’s What Happened

Last week, I received a cease and desist letter from the operator of a competing blog — I’m not at liberty to name it — asserting prior rights to the name “The Employer Handbook.” The letter was aggressive, detailed, and included several citations I had to look up. I was impressed, frankly.

I reviewed the demand carefully. Then I consulted with counsel. Counsel, in this case, being me. After weighing the applicable law, the strength of the opposing arguments, and my current appetite for litigation, I’ve concluded that the prudent course is to comply. The name goes. I just need a new one.

Names I Have Already Ruled Out

The Handbook Formerly Known as The Employer Handbook. Legally safe. Typographically impractical.
Eric Meyer’s Blog About Work Stuff. Accurate. Not inspiring.
Not That Other Employer Handbook. My personal favorite. Counsel has concerns. Counsel is me, and I overruled myself.
The FMLA Corner. Too narrow. Also, I’d have to write about the FMLA every single day and I’m not sure I have it in me.
Hostile Work Environment. Taken. Also possibly a liability.
The HR Compliance Corner. Almost certainly already taken. I didn’t check.

I keep coming back to one option: The Employee Handbook. I’ve been representing employers for over two decades. I have built a career on helping companies avoid liability, document performance issues, and terminate employees correctly. But if the cease and desist has forced my hand and the name is available — maybe this is the pivot. New name. New clients. I’ve heard employees have feelings too. I’m open to learning more.

What I Need From You

Unless you have a better idea. Send your suggestions to Eric.Meyer@pierferd.com. I’ll announce the winning name tomorrow.

I’ll announce the winning name tomorrow.

April Fools. The blog is keeping its name, I am keeping my clients, and The Employee Handbook is not happening. See you tomorrow.