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trade

5 Trade Secret Protection Risks to Consider During a Pandemic

In light of the COVID-19 outbreak, companies have changed their core business operations and instituted new practices and procedures in the blink of an eye. The changes, perhaps unknowingly, have created risks that could jeopardize the protection of valuable trade secrets.

Don’t Overlook CARES Act Tax Credit for Retaining Employees During Pandemic

The employee retention credit (ERC) is a fully refundable tax credit against payroll taxes originally enacted as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Its purpose was to encourage employers to continue paying employees despite financial hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Even if your quarterly Forms 941 (the federal tax […]

How to Make Sure Your Plan’s IPS Isn’t a Fiduciary Landmine

As most retirement plan sponsors and administrators know, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) doesn’t technically require a plan to have an investment policy statement (IPS), but the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), which has enforcement authority for ERISA, has said that having one is consistent with the fiduciary obligations set by the law.

Keeping Positivity Alive in Challenging Times

With so many organizations falling between closing down and downsizing, and reports of massive casualties from the coronavirus, it can be very hard to stay positive. Yet, remaining positive during this time is critical for employers, employees, our families, and our leaders to get through this poised to recover. I recently spoke with a seriously […]

From Solitary Confinement to Social Impact: Ken Oliver’s Journey to Transform Corporate America

In the broad landscape of corporate social responsibility and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), few stories are as compelling and transformative as that of Ken Oliver. As Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility for Checkr and the Executive Director of their corporate foundation checkr.org, Oliver brings a unique perspective shaped by profound personal experiences. His […]

EQ

What’s Your EQ, and Why Does It Matter?

Liam walks into an important meeting and sits down. Within minutes, the group’s attention is on him and his division. One of the top executives asks him a tough question, and he freezes. The executives infer that Liam isn’t as competent as they believed. They fail to realize he is a high performer and that […]

How to Get Candidate Feedback

Whether they were hired or rejected, talking to your job candidates about the entire recruiting process can help you to gain valuable insights into how the process looks from the candidate perspective. It can allow you to see trends and perhaps shed light on things the organization could be doing differently to improve the candidate […]

FMLA Easy? No, But Policies Make It Manageable

Caraway is a member of Miller & Martin PLLC in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Her remarks came at BLR’s Advanced Employment Issues Symposium, held recently in Nashville.  [Go here for yesterday’s policy recommendations] Intermittent Leave Describe the smallest increment in which FMLA leave can be taken (hourly, etc). Note that the amount cannot be greater than hourly, […]

mental

Evolving Voluntary Benefits Can Address Burgeoning Mental Health Issues in the Workplace

Obviously, COVID-19 has changed everything over the last couple weeks. Travel has been cut down. Restaurants, malls, and theaters are shuttering. The markets are down. And, as you might guess, all this takes a heavy toll on your employees. It’s a stressful time for them in many ways, and that will most likely contribute to […]