The holiday season is upon us and many businesses choose this time of year to celebrate workplace achievements and express gratitude to employees for their contributions. Although holiday parties are customary to some businesses, others are choosing to forgo these festive traditions in fear of legal liabilities stemming from alcohol use, injuries, and harassment. For businesses that choose to have a holiday party, it is important to take measures to minimize risk and promote safety. Continue reading “Reduce Business Liability at the Holiday Party”
Category: Business Law
Restrictive Covenants in the Medical Industry
Restrictive employment covenants are typically disfavored by law, as they can be burdensome to the employee and prohibit them from making a decent living after the termination of a former job. However, restrictive covenants in the medical industry are highly enforceable in some ways.
Continue reading “Restrictive Covenants in the Medical Industry”
Forming A Business Corporation in New York
There are many types of business entities you can form, including sole proprietorships, partnerships, LLCs, and corporations, among others. Many entrepreneurs opt to form a corporation because of the unique benefits that are associated with it, which include: Continue reading “Forming A Business Corporation in New York”
Choosing the Right Classification of Worker for Your Business
Starting a new business or joining a currently existing business can bring a few challenges. One challenge that arises comes from the hiring process. There are multiple types of workers that can work for you. These can include Full-time Employees, Part-time Employees, Interns, and Independent Contractors. Continue reading “Choosing the Right Classification of Worker for Your Business”
Landlord & Investor Q&A August 2018: Presented by Attorney Jim Clark
In this segment Jim Clark answers the most popular questions that come up through his interactions with landlords and real estate investors through his presentations to local organizations, networking, one on one conversations as well as direct posting through his website and social media. Continue reading “Landlord & Investor Q&A August 2018: Presented by Attorney Jim Clark”
Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Business in Same-Sex Wedding Cake Matter
On June 4, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of a Colorado baker who invoked his religious rights and refused to make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple in Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission. The ruling was 7-2. However, the court’s decision did not resolve the larger issue of whether or not business owners can refuse service to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals based on religious beliefs alone. Continue reading “Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Business in Same-Sex Wedding Cake Matter”
What You Should Know Before Hiring an Intern
Whether or not an intern is paid is usually a deciding factor in considering hiring one. While many internships are not paid, labor laws usually allow the intern to work for college credit. However, there are restrictions to this exception. An internship must abide by specific criteria in order to be exempt from the Minimum Wage Act and Orders, which outlines New York’s laws regarding pay and overtime. In order to be exempt from this law, an intern cannot be considered an employee and an employment relationship cannot exist between the for-profit business and the intern. It can be determined that an employment relationship does not exist if the relationship meets all of the following criteria: Continue reading “What You Should Know Before Hiring an Intern”
Proposed New York City Legislation Seeks to End Requirement of After-Hours Work Communications
Do employees have the right to disconnect? Rafael Espinal, a New York City council member from Brooklyn, thinks so. On March 22, 2018, Councilman Espinal introduced a bill that would make it illegal for employers to require employees to access work-related communications when they are off duty, on vacation, using personal days, or off sick. These communications can include, but not limited to, emails, text messages, and instant messenger services. Continue reading “Proposed New York City Legislation Seeks to End Requirement of After-Hours Work Communications”
New Tax Law Cracks Down on Entertainment Expenses for Businesses
Newsmax Finance
reported on a little-known item in the new tax law that will do away with special interest tax breaks and loopholes, among them the elimination of a company’s ability to write off entertainment as part of its business expenses. Continue reading “New Tax Law Cracks Down on Entertainment Expenses for Businesses”
NYS May Impose Taxes on Pass-Through Businesses
The New York State Department of Taxation issued a report for the governor’s office detailing options to raise revenues for the state. One of the options the agency suggested was to impose taxes on “pass-through” businesses.
A “pass-through business” is a company in which income is generated through profits from a partnership. Under the new federal tax law, state and local deductions are limited to $10,000, but any taxes paid in operating a company at the entity level continues to be considered as a business expense, and, as such, can be written off. According to the Brookings Institution, approximately 95% of U.S. businesses are “pass-throughs.” Continue reading “NYS May Impose Taxes on Pass-Through Businesses”
