Category: Business / Employment
Presume At-Will Employment with Exceptions
Pennsylvania is an “employment-at-will” state. The employment-at-will doctrine provides that, unless certain exceptions apply, the employer or the employee may terminate the employment relationship for any reason or for no reason at any time. Generally, no cause of action will exist for wrongful discharge for… Continue reading
There’s No Place Like Home (For Your Business)
Local zoning laws have long recognized the right of individuals to conduct a business in their homes, typically called “home occupations.” However, different municipalities have defined what business activities constituted home occupations differently, the typical list including professions and other businesses that have historically been… Continue reading
Time to Buy (or Sell) a Business?
ith the economy beginning to rebound, now may be the perfect time to buy or sell a business. Interest rates are low, consumer confidence is on the upswing, and prices have adjusted to the new economic realities. We handle many business acquisitions each year of… Continue reading
Severance Packages and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act
Many severance agreements contain “waiver” language that releases or purports to release the employer from age discrimination claims under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (the “ADEA”). For employees 40 years of age and older and their employers, the validity of that waiver is vital. … Continue reading
When is a Worker an Independent Contractor or an Employee
There is often a fine line between an employee and an independent contractor. When should a worker be considered an employee or an independent contractor? The distinction between the two can have significant implications for both the worker and the business owner. An… Continue reading
New Business Planning – An Opportunity
A new day in business appears to be in the offing. Many of America’s top companies, such as Microsoft, Southwest Airlines and HP, began when the economy was coming out of a downturn. Have you been thinking about starting your own business? Are you aware of the… Continue reading
Genetic Data in the Workplace
In 2008, President Bush signed into law The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (“GINA”). The purpose of the Act was to prohibit the improper use of genetic information and family medical history by employers. The Act applies to all entities with 15 or more employees,… Continue reading
Sign Contracts Properly!
Time and again we come across contracts and other important papers purportedly signed on behalf of a corporation, limited liability company, limited partnership or similar “limited liability” entity which are not signed properly by the officer/member/partner, thereby jeopardizing the limited liability protection for the… Continue reading
Beef Up Your Security!
Let us begin by saying that this article does not deal with posting armed guards outside your business or putting bars on your windows and chains on your front door. Instead we will be discussing the benefits of improving your security for customer indebtedness. Whether… Continue reading
Avoiding Layoffs
One of the obvious effects of the economic downturn has been a steady drumbeat of job losses across many sectors of the economy. An interesting trend which appears unprecedented in prior down turns is, however, emerging: many companies, with the approval of the work force,… Continue reading