‘Tis the season for pumpkin spice everything, reflection, gratitude, and a touch of entrepreneurial wisdom. It becomes ever more crucial for us, as entrepreneurs, to pause and extend our appreciation for the essential foundations that have shaped our collective journeys – in both business and life. “The Go-Giver” by Bob Burg and John David Mann... View Article
Starting January 1, 2024, Washington State is set to introduce a series of wage adjustments that will impact businesses of all sizes. In 2020, the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries updated the rules for exempt workers by creating an eight-year implementation schedule that incrementally raises the multiplier until it reaches 2.5 times in 2028. Though the pace of the increase is based on the size of the employer, small enterprises to large corporations alike will feel the effects of these changes.
On August 2, 2023, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) issued the Stericycle, Inc. decision, creating a new standard for scrutinizing employer “work rules”. Work rules can consist of company handbooks, policies, and procedures. This decision specifically addresses employer work rules that could reasonably be construed as restricting employees’ rights to engage in activities protected under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), like unionization or openly discussing wages or benefits. Employers should carefully review their handbooks, policies, and procedures to ensure compliance with this decision and prepare for potential challenges.
As you prepare to dive into your goal and budget planning for 2024, remember that legal planning isn't just a sideline item on your to-do list – it's a strategic cornerstone for your business's success. In a world where entrepreneurship moves at lightning speed, failing to plan can indeed be planning to fail. So, as you chart your course for the year ahead, make sure legal planning is firmly integrated into your annual strategy. It's not just about avoiding problems; it's about proactively seizing opportunities, aligning with your goals, ensuring compliance, and securing your business's long-term sustainability. Embrace legal planning as a key ingredient for your business's growth and protection in 2024.
Equinox Business Law believes leading successful entrepreneurship and small business is akin to nurturing a well-rounded self. Just as individuals require a harmonious balance of mind, body, and spirit, businesses also thrive on holistic attention. Following articles on spirit and mind, Equinox now delves into the tangible core of businesses: their body. Think of your business as a living entity with physical assets forming its muscles, bones, and organs. Facilities, inventory, intellectual property, and talented personnel all contribute to its strength. This synergy drives operations, protected by risk-mitigation strategies and contracts, acting as the business's immune system. Nurturing your business's health, much like caring for your own well-being, involves leveraging legal infrastructure tools: contracts, insurance and legal entities. Embrace this holistic perspective, and take advantage of Equinox's complimentary Business Health Assessment to chart a fortified path forward.
Does your business need its head examined? The mind of your business influences decision-making processes, governance, security, and safety. When healthy, it can lead your business towards long-term prosperity. Check out 3 Ways To Strengthen The Mind Of Your Business.
The people of your organization are one of the most important and one of the riskiest aspects of business. The laws are state specific, and they change frequently. Employers are held to a high legal standard and entrepreneurs often aren’t fully aware of the risks associated with employment compliance. It’s hard for business leaders to keep up, but it’s critical to do so. In this post, Equinox Business Law CEO and Founder, Michelle Bomberger looks at how the three key legal infrastructure tools can work to protect the business from employment risks.
While your competitors may have ownership issues bogging down their decision making, you will be able to grow together -- or to separate -- with confidence. Learn how to leverage the legal infrastructure tools – the Shareholder Agreement or Operating Agreement, key insurance policies, and a limited liability entity structure, to create strong relationships among owners and ensure the individual owners are protected from the activities of the company and from one another.
If you’ve been out and about, you’ll see “We’re Hiring” signs virtually everywhere. In the media, you’ll hear stories of increased employee turnover, and that employees are fleeing their workplaces. It seems these two data points would align – those fleeing would be filling the roles of those hiring, but that does not seem to... View Article