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.
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...
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...
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...
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 ...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 ...
More and more, transactions between small businesses and their customers, vendors, and service providers occur online rather than on paper. Yet some feel uneasy about the enforceability of these electronically-signed documents. Is an electronic signature as valid as a conventional handwritten sig...
If you are starting a new business, it is important not to overlook federal, state, and local business license and permit requirements. Almost every business, even one that is home-based, is required to obtain some form of license or permit in order to operate legally. Failure to do so can lead t...
As the economy improves, more and more entrepreneurs are considering starting or expanding their small businesses. However, most small business owners do not have the financial resources to do this without obtaining outside funding. If you are looking for funding for your business, you will need ...
You've worked hard to build your small business. Nothing is more frustrating than negative online reviews, particularly if you feel they are unjustified or have been posted in bad faith. There are several steps that you can take to prevent your business's reputation from being damaged by unfavora...
Creenan & Baczkowski, PC can represent you and your organization in Real Estate/Construction, Estate Planning, Civil Litigation, and Business law issues in Westmoreland and Allegheny Counties, in Pennsylvania. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
