Busse, Richard C. 1948–

PERSONAL: Born September 18, 1948, in Philadelphia, PA. Education: San Diego State University, B.S., 1971; University of California, L.L.D., 1974.

ADDRESSES: Office—Busse & Hunt, 521 American Bank Building, 621 Southwest Morrison, Portland, OR 97205-3818.

CAREER: Lawyer. Multnomah County, OR, chief deputy county counsel, 1975–81; attorney in private practice, 1981–; Busse & Hunt, Portland, OR, senior partner. Frequent speaker and writer on issues of employment law.

MEMBER: International Society of Barristers.

WRITINGS:

Employees' Rights: Your Practical Handbook to Workplace Law, Sphinx Publishers (Naperville, IL), 2004.

Fired, Laid Off, or Forced Out: A Complete Guide to Severance, Benefits, and Your Rights When You're Starting Over, Sphinx Publishers (Naperville, IL), 2005.

Your Rights at Work: All You Need to Know about Workplace Law, and How to Use It to Protect Your Job, Sphinx Publishers (Naperville, IL), 2005.

Frequent contributor to employment law journals.

SIDELIGHTS: Richard C. Busse is an employment lawyer who has established a very successful and highly regarded practice representing plaintiffs in disputes with employers. Drawing on that experience, he has published a number of books apprising employees of their rights and their options in dealing with difficult work situations. Employees' Rights: Your Practical Handbook to Workplace Law provides practical advice on challenging discrimination, protecting personal privacy, and the proper limits of disciplinary action. Booklist contributor Mary Frances Wilkins found that "the information here is quite useful, both thorough and easy to understand." Much of Busse's practice is designed to protect employees and prevent unfair termination, but he also counsels those who face being let go or who actually have been laid off. Fired, Laid Off, or Forced Out: A Complete Guide to Severance, Benefits, and Your Rights When You're Starting Over is designed for them. After discussing ways to defuse a hostile situation or enlist the help of human-relations personnel to prevent termination, Busse turns to those who have exhausted these options or are otherwise unable to keep their jobs. As Library Journal reviewer Joan Pedzich explained, "Busse covers what to do when termination is imminent and provides measured, practical guidance on documentation, behavior, and performance." This includes advice on negotiating a severance package, handling oneself in an exit interview, and deciding if a legitimate wrongful-termination lawsuit is appropriate.

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Booklist, February 1, 2004, Mary Frances Wilkens, review of Employees' Rights: Your Practical Handbook to Workplace Law, p. 939.

Library Journal, March 1, 2005, Joan Pedzich, review of Fired, Laid Off, or Forced Out: A Complete Guide to Severance, Benefits, and Your Rights When You're Starting Over, p. 99.