Maryland's Impending Sick and Safe Leave Law: Don't Wait to Review your Policies >
Currently working its way through the Maryland General Assembly is an emergency bill that is aimed at delaying the implementation of the new sick and safe leave law until July 1, 2018.
February 5, 2018
Understanding the New Maryland Healthy Working Families Act >
Maryland has passed the Maryland Healthy Working Families Act ("MHWF") – which has been commonly referred to as "the sick leave bill."
January 17, 2018
Maryland Sick Leave Legislation – Votes Verse Veto on Maryland Employers' Sick Leave Obligations >
When you're sick, trying to weigh the pros and cons of whether to go to work is something business owners and employees know all too well. While burying yourself in a pile of blankets on your couch while watching the Price is Right, and reminding Drew Carry that he will never be Bob Barker, may sound like a great way to kick a cold, many business owners and employees simply can't afford to take the time off. To address this issue, at least on behalf of employees, the Maryland General Assembly passed legislation that would require employers to provide paid or unpaid sick leave to their employees.
April 6, 2017
New Overtime Salary Rule Blocked by Federal Court Injunction >
On November 22, 2016, a Federal Judge for the Eastern District of Texas entered a nationwide preliminary injunction that stops the Department of Labor's (DOL) Final Rule from going into effect December 1st, 2016.
November 23, 2016
Warning: Recent Court Decisions Invalidate Standard Non-Compete Language in Maryland >
Recent court decisions have eviscerated some non-compete and non-solicitation provisions that Maryland employers have used for years. Generally speaking, non-compete and non-solicitation restrictions will be upheld if they are "narrowly tailored to protect a legitimate business interest" – but not if they are found to be "overly broad."
November 2, 2016
By: Susan Stobbart Shapiro
Tipping Off Your Tipped Employees About the FLSA Tip Credit is Just the Tip of the Ice Berg – What You Need to Know About the Tip Credit. >
Despite the common awareness that wait staff are paid lower hourly wages but supplement those wages with tips, restaurant owners still have to do more than say, "duh" when explaining pay to their new employees.
October 25, 2016
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure – the importance of keeping wage and hour records for your employees. >
What's remarkable about records is that it seems as though you never know how much one is worth until you don't have it. As a small business owner, this is especially true about the records you're required to keep for your employees.
August 3, 2016
Non-Competes: Get More by Asking for Less >
A properly drafted non-compete agreement is a beautiful thing. Sadly, a large percentage of non-competes die on the drafting table. These deaths are preventable.
July 12, 2016
By: Susan Stobbart Shapiro
New Minimum Wage Rate Effective July 1st, 2016 >
The Maryland Minimum Wage Act of 2014 imposes a schedule of minimum-wage increases, one of which takes effect Friday, July 1st, 2016.
June 30, 2016
New Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) Overtime Standards >
On May 18th, 2016 the United States Department of Labor announced its Final Rule that increased the salary standards for the executive, administrative, and professional overtime exemptions.
June 28, 2016
The Fantastic Four – Four Documents that All Employers Should Consider >
Every business is different, but the majority of employers would benefit from spending time with their legal counsel to review their basic employment documents. These documents are what I call "The Fantastic Four".
May 13, 2016
By: Susan Stobbart Shapiro
Sunlight is the Best Disinfectant >
Small business owners, you may be the most vulnerable to harassment and discrimination suits right now. Why? Because you have employees but aren't big enough to have a human resources department, and you feel that you are too busy trying to run your business to flesh out every rumor that you hear about employee complaints. This is where you put your business at risk.
April 25, 2016
By: Susan Stobbart Shapiro
