Posted by James W. Creenan | Aug 03, 2024 |
ADA Website Compliance
The 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) (42 U.S.C. § 12101) is a landmark federal law protecting the rights of and providing accessibility for people with disabilities, and, in its Title III, requiring businesses to comply with accessibility protections, including...
Posted by James W. Creenan | Jul 10, 2024 |
Act 52 of 2024 gives property owners the right to cancel a sales agreement for a "wholesale transaction" and also requires sales agreement to include certain rights for the property owner / consumer.
What is a "wholesale transaction"?
“Undertaking to promote the sale, exchange or purchase of...
Posted by James W. Creenan | Jul 10, 2024 |
The General Assembly enacted an Act "Prohibiting Fees for Early Termination of Certain Contracts Upon Death." The general rule of the act is, “A provider (an individual who provides contract services for cable television, cellular, direct broadcast satellite, electric generation, heating oil, na...
Posted by James W. Creenan | Jul 10, 2024 |
The Pennsylvania General Assembly passed an amendment to Title 20 (Decedents, Estates and Fiduciaries) on July 1, 2024. The House amended the heading of chapter 88 to read, “Slayers and Elder Abusers.” As a result, any person convicted of elder abuse cannot inherit or otherwise benefit from the...
Posted by James W. Creenan | Apr 23, 2024 |
The April 23, 2024 Notice Makes the Rule Effective July 1 and requires Action by January 1, 2025.
Starting July 1, the Rule will deem as “unfair” almost all non-competes. The Rule will also require employers to give notice of compliance with the Rule by January 1, 2025.
Posted by James W. Creenan | Apr 23, 2024 |
The USDOL new OT Rule gives guidance on employees exempt from the FLSA minimum wage and overtime rules.
Starting July 1, 2024, Employees with gross pay of $844.00 or more per week will be considered exempt.
On January 1, 2025, that number jumps to $1,128 per week.
Sarting July 1, 2...
Posted by James W. Creenan | Apr 23, 2024 |
The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) requires reasonable accommodations for pregnant workers. The accommodation must address the employee's or applicant's known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. Employees are not obligated to if the accommodation cre...
Posted by James W. Creenan | Mar 05, 2024 |
Important CTA Update: Federal District Court Rules CTA Unconstitutional
Important Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) Update: Federal District Court Rules CTA Unconstitutional
National Small Bus. United v. Yellen, No. 5:22-cv-1448-LCB (N.D. Ala. Mar. 1, 2024)
On Friday, March 1, 2024, in Na...
Posted by James W. Creenan | Feb 06, 2024 |
As a small business owner, you care about the well-being of your workers and the success of your business1. But did you know that having a safety and health program can help you achieve both goals?
A safety and health program is a set of policies and practices that proactively prevent workplace ...
Posted by James W. Creenan | Dec 31, 2023 |
We wish to inform you of two significant changes impacting the obligation of companies like yours to file annual reports with government agencies.
Congress adopted the Corporate Transparency Act mandating the reporting of beneficial ownership information ("BOI") by most companies. Basically, CT...
Posted by James W. Creenan | Dec 14, 2023 |
After many years of litigation resulting in the settlement of class action, the claims administration has begun sending claim forms to eligible businesses.
Based on information available from the court approved website, "Claim forms began mailing on December 1, 2023, and will continue being sent...
Posted by James W. Creenan | Nov 14, 2022 |
The United States Department of Labor recently updated its
poster. Here is what you need to know, courtesy of the USDOL website:
Every employer covered by the nondiscrimination and EEO laws is required to post on its premises the poster, "Know Your Rights." The notice must be posted prom...
Posted by James W. Creenan | Oct 28, 2022 |
The Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court removed a recent patch of the complicated patchwork of laws and industry standards that form the Commonwealth's construction codes under the Construction Code Act. 35 P.S. §§ 7210.101-7210.1103. The Commonwealth Court granted an application by the Pennsylvania...
Posted by James W. Creenan | Aug 08, 2022 |
The PA Department of Labor & Industry revised its regulations applicable to the service industry work force. Here are the five key points:
An update to the definition of "tipped employee," adjusted for inflation since 1977, that increases the amount in tips an employee must receive monthly f...
Posted by James W. Creenan | Jan 05, 2022 |
It has been a tough couple of years for many small businesses, but, as the adage goes, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.
Small businesses that survived the challenges of 2020 and 2021—the worst pandemic in US history, a nationwide labor shortage, supply chain volatility, and rising infla...
Posted by James W. Creenan | Jan 05, 2022 |
There are some activities we engage in outside of work strictly for personal reasons, with no thought of ever profiting from them. You might, for example, enjoy photography, hiking on the weekends, or collecting classic records. There is no monetary gain—and no expectation of making a profit—fro...
Posted by James W. Creenan | Sep 20, 2021 |
Now that it's tax season, you may be concerned how the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, enacted in December 2017, will impact your small business. The reforms represent the most sweeping tax overhaul in 30 years and could have a positive impact on your business's bottom line—but they may have left you feel...
Posted by James W. Creenan | Sep 13, 2021 |
If your business made or received payments to independent contractors and entities (other than compensation to your employees) during the calendar year, it's likely you must file an information return called a Form 1099 with the IRS. You may also need to send a copy of the form directly to the re...
Posted by James W. Creenan | Sep 06, 2021 |
Every business with at least one employee should have an employee handbook, sometimes also called an employee manual or code of conduct, setting out the company's policies and rules and the laws applicable to the employment relationship. It establishes the expectations in the relationship and ena...
Posted by James W. Creenan | Aug 30, 2021 |
Whether you are just starting up a new company or have a business that has been in operation for a while, good record keeping is an essential part of running your business. You are responsible for establishing an effective system to store and maintain your business records whether your small busi...
Posted by James W. Creenan | Aug 23, 2021 |
Immigration isn't just a hot topic in the news—it has real impact on employers. All employers, including small businesses, are required to complete and retain a Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification for every person they hire to work inside the U.S. for pay or any other type of compensatio...
Posted by James W. Creenan | Aug 16, 2021 |
You and several friends start a new business and decide to operate it as a limited liability company (LLC). Now that you've completed the first step—choosing a business entity—it is now important to prepare an operating agreement. The operating agreement is a contract which governs the operation...
Posted by James W. Creenan | Aug 09, 2021 |
With the rising cost of health insurance, employers and employees alike are looking for the best ways to save money on medical expenses. One option that can be beneficial to both small business owners and their employees is the health savings account (HSA), which is available when an employee sel...
Posted by James W. Creenan | Aug 02, 2021 |
Cybersecurity is a growing concern for businesses, and small businesses are not immune from the threats posed by cybercriminals. Don't be complacent because your business is small: Almost half of all cyberattacks in the U.S. are directed at small businesses. In recognition of this serious problem...
Posted by James W. Creenan | Jul 31, 2021 |
The US Small Business Administration just announce the new PPP Loan Forgiveness Portal.
The link is here: https://directforgiveness.sba.gov. Applications can be submitted starting August 4, 2021. The SBA also announced its Interim Final Rule on PPP forgiveness: PPP Interim Final Rule - COVID ...