Susan Bassford Wilson, Author at Shop Owner Magazine - Page 2 of 2
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Anatomy Of A Lawsuit Not ‘As Seen On TV’

For employers new to the litigation arena, one of the most common questions I’m asked is, “What happens next?” However, by the time you are sued, the battle has already been partially fought. So let’s talk about best practices leading up to being served with a suit that may help you avoid costly litigation or limit its impact, as well as what to expect when you’re expecting a claim.

Preventive Healthcare For Your Shop

Like heading to the doctor for an annual checkup, preventive care can be an important tool to maintain the health of your business. The following are a couple of areas to keep in mind to help reduce your employment headaches in the future, or better yet, prevent them in the first place.

Monitoring Employees’ Work Habits

Companies have many legitimate reasons for monitoring customer telephone calls or checking employee computers, which range from ensuring good customer service to addressing workplace theft to confirming compliance with speed limits and other laws. In this article we are going to discuss the proper steps you should take if you’re checking in on your employees.

Preventive Healthcare For Your Company

Like heading to the doctor for an annual checkup, preventive care can be an important tool to maintain the health of your business. Here are a couple of areas to keep in mind to help reduce your employment headaches in the future.

$47,476 Is The New $23,660

On Dec. 1, 2016, about 4.2 million exempt employees in the United States will become non-exempt. And some of those employees probably work for you.

What Employers Of LGBT Employees Need To Know

How should an employer address questions related to things like restroom use, employees transitioning genders while employed, benefits and insurance coverage? Keep in mind that there is currently no clear federal law specifically defining LGBT as a protected status. However, the trend is clear and savvy employers may want to take proactive steps to guard against future discrimination or harassment claims.

Managing Problem Employees

Managing difficult employees and holding them accountable in a litigation-happy environment often feels akin to walking a tightrope while wearing a blindfold. And, while not every under-performing or disgruntled employee will take legal action, companies can discourage litigation by instituting and consistently following good discipline and performance policies.

The Payday Polka

Payday. While it is music to an employee’s ears, payday presents logistical and legal challenges for your company. One of the chief challenges is ensuring your employees are paid properly under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Why does FLSA matter to you? Money. Improperly paying employees opens you up to potentially massive liability from a collective action.

Hiring And Firing The Legal And Correct Way

While you face challenges at your business every day, my goal is to take some of the mystery and confusion out of the employment law dilemmas faced by small businesspeople. One of the areas about which I get the most questions is hiring and firing employees. Hiring and firing is a challenge, but by following a few tips, you can make better decisions and reduce your risk of defending an expensive lawsuit.

Walking The Social Media Tightrope

In today’s digital workplace, few issues cause more confusion than social media. Numerous laws are relevant to social media, ranging from Title VII to the Fair Credit Reporting Act to state-specific laws barring requests for applicants’ personal passwords. However, employers can navigate the social media minefield by identifying and addressing the risks.

Value Of An Employee Handbook

A good employee handbook records the company’s rules and communicates them to your employees in an easy, understandable way. If a handbook is well drafted, it provides helpful information on what’s expected from employees and what they can expect from their employer. It can also provide the foundation for any employment decisions you need to make and – if the situation arises – form the backbone for the defense of many lawsuits brought against you by employees.