Goodbye is Never Easy… 6 Must Know Tips for Firing an Employee
We’ve all been there. Whether you’re a business owner or a manager of a business, firing an employee can be tough. Follow the following six tips to make it easier for everyone to break-up the relationship and reduce the risk of wrongful termination or unfair treatment claims. Tip 1: Before firing an employee Give them [...]
Unfair Treatment in Internship Programs: Protect Your Company
Today’s job market is less than ideal. While the pool of job candidates is large, companies struggle to find manpower to fit their budgets. The solution for many companies is internship programs. Internships are becoming a standard graduation requirement at many colleges and universities with benefits to both employer and student. According to Brian Burnsed, [...]
Chicago’s Ordinance Requires Incremental Raise
Chicago requires wage increase starting annually. On December 2nd, 2014, the city of Chicago passed an ordinance to raise the minimum wage to $13 per hour. Under this ordinance, the minimum wage will be increased annually to the $13 limit by July 1, 2019. The incremental raises are scheduled for July 1 of each [...]
US Department of Labor (DOL) announced new overtime regulations
The US Department of Labor (DOL) announced new overtime regulations under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Many workers who before were exempt from such overtime regulations will now become eligible to have their overtime pay. Under the new regulations, any worker making $47,476 or less must be paid overtime for hours worked in excess [...]
Computer Safety Tips During the Post-Holiday Season
Unfortunately hackers take advantage of the multitude of bargain-seeking online shoppers to upload malware and viruses to unsuspecting shoppers. Here are a few tips to keep in mind to maximize your security while shopping online this holiday season. Avoid clicking emailed or pop-up advertisements, its safer to go straight to the company's website and [...]
Be Ready for IRS Collection Calls
I used to tell to my friends and clients to hang up if they receive IRS collection calls. Similarly, the IRS and law enforcement officials often issue warnings about phone scams involving tax collection, and each time they claim the same thing: "The IRS will never call you to demand payment. It sends letters by mail." [...]
2016 Standard Mileage Rates
The IRS recently announced the new 2016 standard mileage rates to be used for travel. The standard business mileage rate is decreased by 3.5 cents while Medical and moving mileage rates are lowered by 4.0 cents. Charitable mileage rates are unchanged. 2016 Standard Mileage Rates Lower gas prices - good news; lower IRS standard [...]
Three Action Steps to Take to Mitigate Legal Risks This Year
First of all, we would like to wish you a happy, healthy, and productive new year. As 2016 quickly gets underway, I'm sure you've been thinking of ways to become more efficient and successful this year. Yet, this year promises to be challenging in many respects. Many consumers will continue to struggle to get their [...]
Practical Tips on How to Find a Good Lawyer
Prospective clients often ask me how to find a good lawyer. The simple answer is: find a qualified lawyer who loves to practice law. It’s not easy, but it’s possible! Lawyers who love practicing law will likely be happier and easier to work with, thus making your overall experience more valuable and less frustrating. Let’s face [...]