After the holiday rush is over, small business owners should take advantage of the brief lull to get started on some New Year’s resolutions. While personal resolutions are generally focused on improving one’s health, home life, or work/life balance, small business owners could benefit from making some resolutions for their businesses.

Just getting the ball rolling on some of the following can help keep you and your small business out of legal trouble in 2017.

Ensure ADA Accessibility

It’s been over 25 years since the Americans with Disabilities Act was passed, which mandated that all public accommodations be made accessible. Especially with the available annual tax credit, if your business is open to the public and a wheelchair can’t easily get through your front door, or other architectural barriers exist in your business, this should be a priority for your business.

While lawmakers work year-round, frequently, when new laws are passed, they do not take effect until the start of the following year. For many business owners, the beginning of the New Year means having to comply with new rules and regulations.

While the new overtime rule has been blocked from taking effect, other new laws may apply to your business.

Update Crisis Management

The beginning of the year is a good time to take stock of your crisis management plan. Did something happen in the previous year that wasn’t accounted for in your crisis management plan? Consider adding a section to the plan to explain how to handle a repeat of the situation. Also, the beginning of the year is a good time to update your phone lists and emergency contact lists.

Update Policies and Procedures

Like your crisis management plan, the beginning of the year is a good time to review your policies and procedures to see what is working and what isn’t, as well as what policies are being ignored or improperly enforced. Additionally, if your business is subject to new regulations or new legal compliance requirements, updating your policies and procedures to take these into account is incredibly important.

Additionally, cyber security policies are incredibly important, particular given the rise of ransomware attacks targeting employees and small businesses.

Related Resources:

  • Find Business and Commercial Lawyers Near You (FindLaw’s Lawyer Directory)
  • Who Has Jurisdiction Over Minimum Wage Laws? (FindLaw’s Free Enterprise)
  • Tips for Creating a Return Policy for Your Business (FindLaw’s Free Enterprise)
  • 7 Legal Tips for Startups Laying Off Employees (FindLaw’s Free Enterprise)

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