Whether it’s tough economic times or underperformance, there will likely be a time when you’ll want to cut employee pay. And at that time, you’ll probably wonder whether it’s legal to do so. Chances are you can institute that salary cut. Most employees are at-will, which means you can change their salary so long as it stays above minimum wage. And as long as you comply with the following laws and rules....
Even if there’s a will in place, families may still end up fighting over an estate after a loved one passes. While most people think that the only way to settle estate battles is to go to probate court, there are ways to quash an estate battle without resorting to probate. Here are five legal tips to consider if you’re fighting over an estate. These are just a few legal tips to consider when fighting over an estate, but if all else fails, a probate court can settle the issues....
Camping this summer? Don’t forget the campground liability waiver. And you might want to spend some time reading it this time, because most of them are likely to be legally enforceable. So whether you’re sending your kids off to Camp Wannagohoam or planning a family adventure at a public or private campground, think about these legal features of campground liability waivers: You’re likely to encounter campground liability waivers when choosing to camp on private property or as part of an organized event or trip....
Could “gamification” help boost your small business’ bottom line? For many business owners, the answer is “Yes – and there’s an app for that.” Already, big companies such as Intel and Accenture have incorporated “gamification” – the use of gaming elements to encourage specific behaviors in a target audience – to boost employee productivity, reports Time. They’ve created so-called “gamified” apps to turn mundane work tasks into something more competitive and enjoyable....
Thanks to the internet and those blessed meme things, many employees live by the meme-philosophy: Boss makes a dollar, I make a dime, that’s why I poop on company time. However, under the law, employers are legally allowed to restrict bathroom breaks, at least, within reason. Generally, reasonable restrictions will not prohibit employees from using the restroom when the need arises. However, in production, or client facing industries, employers may require an employee to wait for a co-worker to relieve their position before taking a bathroom break....
The First Amendment of the US Constitution guarantees a free press. But freedom of the press refers to journalistic expression and does not mean that members of the press are actually free to do whatever they please. Police can certainly deny reporters access to a crime scene and those who ignore warnings can be charged with trespass or other crimes. A reporter can be arrested. Unless you are able to risk arrest, the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press suggests that you follow the same rules that apply to everyone else....
Earlier this week, we discussed the efforts by Senate Finance Committee Chair Max Baucus (D-Mont.) to move toward a possible repeal of the new 1099 reporting requirements for businesses. Originally proposed under the Bush Administration, the increase in tax revenue brought in by the 1099 reporting requirements would have gone to help fund the Affordable Care Act. However, the increased 1099 reporting would be especially burdensome for small businesses, reports The New York Times....
In April, Pepsi announced it would remove aspartame from its formula for Diet Pepsi, which led many to wonder if the move was due to health risks associated with the artificial sweetener. But Pepsi also said Diet Pepsi with aspartame would remain available online, and Diet Coke will continue using aspartame. So, are aspartame and other natural sweeteners dangerous to consumers? Or is Pepsi just bowing to Internet rumors and public (mis)perception?...
The AP reports that the Supreme Court is going to rule on whether a person can have their student loan debt discharged in Chapter 13 bankruptcy if the creditor holding that debt gets notice of the intended plan, but fails to object. For anyone dealing with the burden of student loan debt, the story might raise a number of valid questions. Foremost might be, can a Chapter 13 bankruptcy be used to reduce student loan debt?...
Data and security breaches have become so common they’re almost considered the cost of doing business these days. Even the most careful businesses may not be able to prevent a breach that compromises customers’ private information. And as embarrassing as a data breach may be, it can be particularly harmful to customers if their information falls into the wrong hands. Unless you’re doing business solely in Alabama, New Mexico, or South Dakota, you’re legally required to notify customers about a security breach, and you may need to take steps to mitigate or remediate injuries caused by the breach....
Infosys is getting sued again for allegedly misusing work visas. The Indian outsourcing company that specializes in business and IT consulting allegedly misused temporary visitor visas to bring permanent workers into the U.S. In addition, the company allegedly failed to pay the workers the prevailing wages and then harassed employees who complained, reports The Associated Press. In short, it’s claimed that Infosys violated almost every immigration law in an effort to save time and money....
We’ve written a lot about employees’ use of social media, and what employers can and can’t do in response. But a report on Facebook firings shows exactly which kinds of words the NLRB has considered “protected” by law. What’s protected? A status update calling your boss a “scumbag,” according to The Wall Street Journal. What’s not protected, according to the National Labor Relations Board? Calling bar patrons “rednecks” and saying you hope they choke on broken glass....
Last night’s health care reform speech was much-anticipated by liberals, conservatives, and middle-of-the-roaders alike. And the public may have left with either a better understanding or more questions, but it did also witness a live example of the deep divisiveness associated with this subject. During the President’s review of who would be covered by the proposed health care plan, he asserted to legislators and the public that the proposed legislation would not insure illegal immigrants residing in U....
The Federal Bureau of Investigation computer system upgrade project has hit another snag. The Justice Department Audit has found the long-running effort to launch and build a paperless case management system is facing more delays and growing more costly, Reuters reports. That poses a problem for the F.B.I.’s ability to handle its law enforcement and maintain its information systems. Congressional officials said that the project is considered vital to national security....
Corn growers across the United States were hit hard when China began rejecting all U.S. corn shipments in 2013. The ban was due to the discovery of genetically modified corn strains that had not been approved for export to China in some U.S. corn shipments to the country. Bad Seed Suit According to a website for the class action, “Syngenta sells two genetically modified corn varieties, Viptera and Duracade, that are approved in the United States, but have not been approved in all export markets, including China....
If you have a disability, you may be wondering how to request a reasonable accommodation from your employer if one becomes necessary. Because the Americans with Disabilities Act bars an employer from asking an employee about a visible or hidden disability, it is ultimately your responsibility to make the request and provide your employer with the requisite information. Here’s what you need to hand over and some things you should keep in mind when making your request....
You know you can’t start a business for free. Any comprehensive business plan will include an estimate of start-up costs, considering everything from rent and employee wages to inventory and insurance. The one thing many entrepreneurs may neglect in these calculations, however, is legal fees. You may need an attorney’s advice throughout your startup’s life, from incorporation to employment law compliance. So here’s a look at some of those legal fees, and some ways to keep them in check....
Reuters reports that the number of small and mid-sized businesses who are suffering from a loan delinquency rose in the past six months in the midst of the current business loan credit crisis. According to a survey done by PayNet, small and medium-sized U.S. businesses seeking to finance in the form of business loan credit showed signs of trouble in November as loans more than six months past due rose for the 22nd consecutive month....
All varieties of pre-packaged and refrigerated “Toll House” cookie dough are being recalled by Nestle, because the products have been linked to multiple E. Coli illnesses in consumers who ate the dough raw. Investigation by federal health officials is in progress, but the FDA says that since March, 66 reports of E. Coli illness (in 28 states) have been tied to the consumption of raw Toll House cookie dough. 25 people required hospitalization, with seven consumers developing a severe E....
When it comes to Obamacare, small business owners may need a checklist, as some very important deadlines are approaching. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, otherwise known as “Obamacare,” includes several requirements for businesses. You probably know that the so-called “employer mandate” has been pushed back to 2015. But most businesses are still required to notify their current and future employees about the new health insurance exchanges under Obamacare....
