When you enter into a business partnership with someone, you probably do so with the belief that the two of you work well together, and that you will continue to do so until the end of your business relationship. Regrettably, however, business partnerships sometimes fail, whether because you have different visions, you experience a breakdown of trust between you or what have you.
Supreme Court rules against labor unions
The Supreme Court ruled in favor of employers in resolving employee disputes. In a 5-4 decision that broke down as the conservative wing versus the liberal wing of the court, the court said that employers do have the right to insist that labor disputes should be handled individually with the employee rather than allowing workers to join together for class action lawsuits. According to USA Today, the Ruling affects an estimated 25 million workers who sign agreements to arbitrate as part of their employment contracts.
Flight attendants still subjected to sexual harassment
Jobs in the service industries can be particularly challenging. Nevertheless, flight attendants would seem to have it worse than most. Not only do they work in close quarters with customers, there is a long and continuing tradition of objectifying or sexualizing the flight attendant. While the rules for acceptable behavior have changed from the days when flight attendants were called stewardesses, apparently things have not changing fast enough to suit those in the industry.
Department of Labor hits Alabama company for $110,000
The U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (WHD) recently investigated JPO Contractors, Inc. and determined it owed $90,904 in back wages and liquidated damages to 43 employees. The company was found guilty of improperly categorizing its laborers as independent contractors instead of employees, thus creating a violation of overtime and record keeping laws. There was also a penalty of $19,737 for willful and repeated violation.
Companies Quietly Removing Marijuana From Drug Testing
The stories regarding the legalization, decriminalization and medicinal application of marijuana have become commonplace in recent years. While much of the West Coast, Colorado and parts of the Northeast have legalized pot for recreational use, many states like Georgia have not changed their laws.
What to do if your business is being sued
No one wants to think about lawsuits, but the truth is that litigation is a very real part of doing business. From employees to clients to other companies, many parties have the potential to sue you for a variety of reasons. Some of these may be legitimate, whereas others are outlandish efforts to get money from you.
Should Your New Start-Up Be Brick-and-Mortar?
Renting apartments does not have the zing of a tech start-up that created the next virtual reality breakthrough, but the rental market has heated up recently in cities like Atlanta where limited rental stock has driven the rent prices ever upwards. This has left some business people to wonder if it is time to go into the real estate rental business.
Small business owners must address product liability
A business is only as good as its product. Entrepreneurs can spend years researching, dreaming, testing and designing their product. Ultimately, though, no product is perfect. Most products pose some sort of risk to consumers. As a result, small business owners face serious liability issues due to their products.
