Categories for business

Putting Lifelong Learning to Good Use

by | September 24, 2018

We seem to value “lifelong learners” in business – you see this as a desired characteristic in job postings and those who are “successful” are typically called out as such.  What is a lifelong learner, though? We all learn every day from our experiences, both personal and professional, in our interactions with clients, employees and... View Article

When is a Company Required to Pay Interns?

by | September 21, 2018

Internships offer additional benefits to employers, namely recruiting and grooming talent for future employment in the organization. The question is: when is a company required to pay interns? There is a common misconception these individuals do not need to be compensated for their work if they are classified as interns. The misclassification of employees as... View Article

Construction Industry

Physical Abilities Testing: Four Guidelines to Minimize Scrutiny

by | September 17, 2018

Physical Abilities Tests (PAT) can be a useful tool for employers that seek ideal workers for physically demanding jobs. However, a biased test could cost your business millions in investigations, charges, and lawsuits. Just earlier this year, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed two cases of female discrimination that cost the respective companies $2.5... View Article

Equinox Blog Season

Family, the Workplace, and Government Regulation

by | September 4, 2018

September has arrived and those with kids are getting back into the school routine.  Your employee’s schedules and mindsets may have shifted to new schedules and priorities.  For many, these shifts are subtle – maybe a day off or a slightly later start time – while for others the preparation for back to school creates... View Article

Star Wars Blog Cover

How Hasbro Almost Blew An Intergalactic Deal

by | September 4, 2018

Those of us old enough to remember our very first Star Wars figure, were too young when they first arrived in stores to realize (or, care, really) what it took for them to become and remain a reality for the next 40 years, earning over $14 billion in revenue. Primarily due to George Lucas’ desire... View Article

Metrics in Motivation

by | August 20, 2018

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

SCOTUS Rules on Online Sales Taxation – South Dakota v. Wayfair

by | June 27, 2018

On June 21, 2018, the United States Supreme Court issued a significant ruling that impacts online retailers regarding online sales taxation. In South Dakota v. Wayfair, the Court overruled prior Supreme Court rulings that prevented states from collecting sales tax from retailers that didn’t have a physical presence within their state. The Court ruled that... View Article

Company Hiring

Do Your Hiring Policies and Processes “Ban the Box” in Compliance with Washington’s Fair Chance Act?

by | June 14, 2018

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