A lot of emphasis is placed on the need for metrics in business – “What gets measured, gets done” or “What gets measured, gets managed.” When management starts tracking a behavior, the staff starts paying attention to it. That’s good, right? That’s the point! When the metrics aren’t clear or aren’t aligned with your business’... View Article
We all feel it at this time of year – the disruption to our businesses because of summer vacations. It’s difficult enough to keep up with heavy workloads when everyone is in the office, but constant absences due to summer vacations can make it seem impossible to stay above water. I don’t want to suggest in... View Article
Clients often ask us should we investigate a complaint filed by an employee even if it has no validity and, if so, how should we do it. In today’s environment of increased scrutiny of sexual harassment, race, gender discrimination and other claims, every complaint should be addressed and potentially investigated. Here’s a quick summary of... View Article
In March of this year, Washington became the 11th state to enact legislation requiring public and private sector employers to delay background checks and inquiries regarding job applicants’ conviction records until after determining an applicant is otherwise qualified for the position. Employers that must comply with the Fair Chance Act include public agencies, private individuals,... View Article
Regardless of how careful we are, conflicts arise in business. Conflicts among owners, among employees, and with vendors and customers are common. Generally speaking, we try to resolve these conflicts quickly with minimal risk and cost but sometimes they spiral out of control. As a business owner, it’s essential that you know what tools are... View Article
We often get asked to review commercial leases on behalf of our clients. Here’s a quick summary of the most common “gotchas” in commercial leases from our years of experience as a commercial lease lawyer. Responsibility for Repairs. Who is responsible for fixing what in a commercial lease? This is often confusing because it can be... View Article
On May 21, 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Epic Systems Corp. v. Lewis that an employer may require employees to agree to take all employment-related disputes to arbitration on an individual basis, and to waive their right to participate in a class action or class arbitration. This case is a victory for employers... View Article
We love other professionals and know that our clients are best served if they have a team of professionals to support them as they make decisions, each bringing his or her unique expertise to the table to help formulate a comprehensive plan that looks at all sides of a situation and formulates the right strategy... View Article
All Fridays are special, but Friday, May 25, 2018 is even more special because the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) goes into effect. If you are tempted to stop reading because HEY! this is the US not the EU, hang in there, because if your company handles data belonging to people in the... View Article