It takes a written policy, backed by training and education. We spend a significant amount of our waking hours at work. For some of us, we live to work. For others, we work to live. In every instance, the workplace is a key part of our lives. Successful employers know that a workplace that is …
It’s a great marketing tool, but it’s also a source of significant risk. For most companies, social media is a cheap, effective marketing tool, which is easy to access, manipulate and maintain. But social media traits that benefit companies can also expose them to a myriad of legal risks. * Ensuring Your Company Owns and …
Business owners need to safeguard access to commercially valuable data. The late twentieth century composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein wrote his much anticipated memoir “Blue Ink,” leaving it hidden behind various levels of passwords. In the 26 years since his death, no one has been able to decrypt the manuscript. This is an example, albeit …
A checklist for reducing the risk of liability. The New Year presents a great opportunity for small business owners to review their operations and implement procedures to reduce the risk of liability for the coming year. Business owners face the risk of liability on many fronts, whether from transactions with customers, government regulation, or claims …
There’s no reason that odd couple has to stay together. Benjamin Franklin reminded us that nothing is certain except death and taxes, and history proves him right. However, there is no rational reason the two should be linked and in fact much progress has been made in taking the tax sting out of death. Dead …
NLRB’s decision related to email systems may trouble employers. by Jerry Lutkus Many employers have email policies that prohibit employees from using the company’s email for non-work purposes. If you have a no-tolerance policy, a recent decision of the National Labor Relations Board should cause you to take another look at it. The new decision …
Tell liability insurance company of claims or suits ASAP. by David L. Simmons, J.D. The Indiana Court of Appeals recently underscored the importance of giving prompt notice of an insurance claim in the case of Travelers Cas. and Sur. Co. v. Maplehurst Farms, Inc., 18 N.E.3d 311 (Ind. App., 2014). This case involved losses incurred …
Base your decision on job-related factors, and ask questions carefully. For employers, hiring quality employees has always been of critical importance. Various laws require employers to be more focused in this effort. For example, it was not that long ago that employers asked any questions they wanted: how old are you, do you have any …
Businesses must keep an eye on the courts and be ready to adapt to new marriage laws. by Nancy Townsend Indiana’s Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which prohibited same-sex marriage and refused to recognize same-sex marriages from other states, was ruled unconstitutional on June 25. Chief Judge Richard L. Young entered a final judgment in …
Should you sell on a secured or unsecured basis? Successful businesses must prepare for potential problems and possible solutions related to selling to and buying from companies that are insolvent, or may become so. Here are some considerations in that regard. An important business decision is whether to sell to customers on a secured or …
