Business Briefs
Illinois Employer Obligations List
Even the smallest Illinois employers are faced with complying with a myriad of state and federal employment laws, including: No age, race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation or pregnancy discrimination (All) Providing equal employment opportunities without...
Plan Your Business/Investment Exit
Like a parent preparing an estate plan or an engaged couple preparing a pre-nuptial agreement, when you start or invest in a business you should have an exit plan. Deaths, disabilities, retirements or just the passage of time can create the need for substantial...
Avoiding Personal Liability for your Partner’s Actions
Whenever you are in business with another person or you employ other persons in your business, you expose your personal assets to claims by parties that may be harmed by the actions or omissions of those other people. If not addressed before the liability occurs, the...
New Restrictions on Employment, Severance and Separation Agreements
While most employers are not obligated to provide severance to properly terminated at-will employees, no improper discrimination, contract obligations or retaliation involved, they often offer some form of severance conditioned on the terminated employee signing a...
Employment Best Practice and Protection
A recent Federal Appellate Court affirmed the lower court’s dismissal of a demoted employee’s racial discrimination and retaliatory claims against her employer and provided guidance to employers on how to avoid or win such cases. Bragg v. Munster Medical...
Hidden Loan Provisions
Even though you may be charged by the lender for it to prepare the documents for your loan and they are presented as the lender’s standard or customary documents, beware of the hidden provisions that always benefit the lender and never the borrower. Even if the lender...
Cyber Security for Your Business
Experts predict that the next wave of litigation against businesses may involve cybersecurity and the failure of businesses to implement pragmatic protections to avoid or minimize the theft or disclosure of private personal information (PPI) or confidential customer...
Weed in the Workplace
The increasing number of states legalizing marijuana and its continued illegal treatment by the federal government, even in a reduced enforcement environment, poses a workplace issue for your business. While working under the influence need not be tolerated, policies...
Selling a Small Business
Selling a closely held small business or your interest in one is a challenge, requiring a different mind-set and skill set from operating the business. Identifying and approaching the most likely potential purchasers can be risky but also beneficial. Some potential...
Independent Contractors/Salespersons
With the expanding gig economy, increased use of independent contractors and enhanced enforcement of employment laws, businesses should be aware of the many laws and regulations that impact these relationships in order to avoid problems, including suits,...
