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.
Running a business is all about your people. They're the heart and soul of your operation, the driving force behind your success. But there's a twist – a tricky one. The legal landscape surrounding HR and employment is like a constantly shifting maze. If you're a business owner, you've probably felt the challenge of keeping up with the ever-changing rules and regulations. Laws vary from state to state, and they seem to morph faster than you can say "compliance." It's a tough nut to crack, no doubt, but it's a challenge you need to conquer.
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.
Building a healthy and fit business requires attention to the spirit, mind, and body of your organization. By defining your purpose, establishing core values, implementing robust decision-making processes, and investing in your physical resources, you can create a solid foundation for long-term success. Equinox's Business Health Assessment (BHA) offers a valuable opportunity to evaluate your organization's legal infrastructure and gain insights into areas that may need improvement. We value your participation and feedback as we collectively strive to build purpose-driven organizations that thrive in today's ever-evolving business landscape. Here's to your continued success and a prosperous future ahead.
In both medicine and business law practice, a generalist approach with a holistic perspective is crucial for achieving the best outcomes. General practitioners, whether in medicine or law, provide historical and contextual insight, holistic evaluation, comprehensive treatment or guidance, identification of unusual or hidden issues, and guidance on optimal options. This comprehensive approach ensures that all aspects of health or business are considered and addressed, leading to more effective and sustainable solutions for patients or clients.
Employers should be aware that the FTC requires disclosure of an employee's employment relationship when making an endorsement on social media for the company they work for. The disclosure must be in simple and clear language and placed conspicuously. The FTC recommends that companies establish a social media policy that includes these disclosure requirements, consistently enforce the policy, and provide employees with training. Employers that direct employees to create or share social media posts should implement a policy and monitor the posts for compliance. To avoid potential legal issues, it is important for employers to follow these guidelines to ensure compliance with the FTC's rules.
It’s hard to have a successful business without a healthy Sales and Marketing operation. As a business grows so does the complexity of protecting product production, sales, and marketing from liabilities and vulnerabilities. Yet many business leaders go blindly at it alone “not knowing what they don’t know” leads to mistakes. “Learn from the mistakes... View Article
Today, it seems like every other commercial is for an insurance company. From talking geckos to that Mayhem guy destroying things, we’ve become familiar with the needs and benefits of auto and home insurance–but what about protecting our business?
