We are now officially in the holiday season. While holiday parties are a great way to build morale and show appreciation for employees, these can also result in unexpected liability for employers if not done right. We have our top 5 tips for ensuring your company holiday party doesn’t turn into a nightmare. Avoid serving... View Article
Data privacy and the protection of personal data will be a defining feature of 2020. States are taking matters into their own hands by passing sweeping new privacy laws, which will impact business owners and website operators across the country. Keep reading for a summary of privacy law activity that business owners may need to... View Article
When starting a business, few business owners consider the details and consequences of closing the business. But even closing a business, if not done the right way, can get a business owner in hot water. Recently, a popular and all-inclusive wedding venue in Everett, WA suddenly closed. Engaged couples with impending nuptials are without a... View Article
Washington employers are likely to need support in reviewing employee handbooks and other existing policies and implementing new or revised policies by or before January 1, 2020. We are here to help! Call or email us to find to get your questions answered and see about getting your documents reviewed and updated.
In big news for employers, the U.S. Department of Labor (the “DOL”) announced on September 24, 2019 that it would be releasing its final rule, which sets forth the new thresholds for minimum wage and overtime pay for “white collar” employees. The new rule will take effect on January 1, 2020. Fair Labor Standards Act... View Article
We previously posted an article about the new non-compete legislation in Washington that was expected to be signed into law. Since that original article was posted, the bill was in fact signed and Washington employers should begin preparing for the new rules to take effect on January 1, 2020. But what do employers really need... View Article
For many companies, a commercial lease is one of the most critical and high-value contracts into which they’ll ever enter. While the average commercial lease term is between 3 to 5 years, these leases can run up to 10 years, plus extension periods. Unlike most other contracts that a business might sign, a commercial lease... View Article
If you are a business owner with more than 100 employees, you’re likely already familiar with the Employer Information Report (EEO-1). For anyone who is not already familiar, the EEO-1 Report is a “compliance survey mandated by federal statute and regulations… [which] requires company employment data to be categorized by race/ethniticy, gender, and job category.”[1]... View Article
“Cybersecurity is a business problem, not a technical problem.” – Kip Boyle, CEO of Cyber Risk Opportunities, LLC and Author of Fire Doesn’t Innovate: The Executive’s Practical Guide to Thriving in the Face of Evolving Cyber Risks As a business owner, you may disagree with that statement. After all, the responsibilities associated with data privacy and... View Article