Because of increasing regulatory scrutiny of privacy laws, employers should take extra care in safeguarding personnel files and medical records as you would any other confidential company information. Employers should keep personnel files stored securely in a locked cabinet, and make them available only to managers or supervisors who have a legitimate business reason to […]
Read MoreRetail giant Target suffered a massive data breach last December that eroded its reputation and its bottom line. How did this happen? Apparently, hackers gained access to Target’s IT infrastructure via a third-party HVAC contractor that was connected to their network. This security disaster illustrates the risk that many businesses face when contracting with third […]
Read MoreWhen your company enters into a contract with another entity or person, both parties are expected to fulfill the contract terms. However, there are some situations where a contract can be found to be legally unenforceable because of these reasons: Lack of capacity – if one of the parties lacks the ability to understand what […]
Read MoreIf there was ever a Catch-22 situation for business owners, it is this: most do not take the necessary legal steps to protect their personal wealth until it is threatened by creditors or litigants – and by then, it’s too late to implement effective asset protection strategies. A survey of 242 business owners conducted by […]
Read MoreThe IRS and State Governments have both stepped up their enforcement action against business owners who misclassify employees as independent contractors. One friend of ours was just fined $150,000 for Worker’s Comp Fraud stemming from a misclassification of employees as Independent Contractors. Knowing this, it is imperative for you to know the difference when it […]
Read MoreSmall businesses can ill afford litigation – not only because of the cost, but also for the time and attention lawsuits can divert from your business. Here are six tips to help you avoid one of the most prevalent sources of business litigation: employee lawsuits. Adhere to nonexempt status. If employees work more than 40 […]
Read MoreIf you’ve never hired an attorney for your business, you are probably wondering how you would evaluate whether or not they would be a good fit for your company and could deliver the services you need at a price you’re willing to pay. Here are 8 things to consider when hiring a business attorney for […]
Read MoreIs there love in the air at your company? We’re not talking about people who love their jobs…we’re talking about employees who find love while on the job, and this could lead to a bad breakup for business owners. Workplace romances are not uncommon these days, especially since men and women work together putting in […]
Read MoreOne of the most costly things business owners can do – often through benign neglect – is allow their company to lose its good standing with the state where it operates. When this happens, a company can be administratively “dissolved” and owners can lose the personal liability protection of a corporation or LLC. Here are […]
Read MoreBusiness owners concerned about protecting their personal assets from business liabilities often choose to operate their companies as a Limited Liability Company (LLC) or Corporation (usually as an S-Corporation), since these business structures provide what is known as a “liability shield”. However, a court can dissolve this liability shield if the proper steps are not […]
Read MoreThe employment landscape has changed over the last few years and many small and mid-size companies today operate with outside help – contractors or freelancers who perform important tasks but who are not full time employees on your payroll, or even third party companies who consult on a new product or service. While companies that […]
Read More