Employers Using Technology Should Have an Employee Handbook and Acceptable Use Policies in Place

Technology Creates Hidden Problems for Businesses With Employees. It is near impossible to run a business without using technology and having access to email and the Internet.   You may even employ cloud computing, software-as-a-service (SaaS), social networks like Facebook and Twitter to be more productive and increase your business’ visibility. Be careful – implementing technology… [Read More]

Tags: Acceptable Use Policy, Employee Handbook, linkedin

What are my Employer Obligations for Employees in New York?

First you should “Determine Whether Your New York Business has Employees or Independent Contractors” by reading that post or consulting with a corporate attorney. If your New York business hires employees, then the following would apply. Workers’ Compensation.  The New York State Workers’ Compensation Law (“NYWCL”) requires qualifying businesses must obtain workers’ compensation insurance before… [Read More]

Tags: Business Checklist, Business Links, Business Tax, Employee, New York business attorney, NY business lawyer

Negotiating the Terms of the Deal — Buying or Selling an LLC or Small Business In New York

After you have found your target New York business to acquire, you (and/or your corporate attorney) have to negotiate the terms of the business purchase transaction.  In this article I will outline some of the typical terms of a term sheet for the purchase of a small business and some of the things you need… [Read More]

Tags: Business Checklist, Business Merger, New York business attorney, NY business lawyer

How Do I Determine Whether my New York Business has Employees or Independent Contractors?

It is critical that you, the business owner, perhaps with the help of your corporate attorney, correctly determine whether the individuals providing services are employees or independent contractors.  For the most part, the employer must withhold income taxes, withhold and pay Social Security and Medicare taxes, and pay unemployment tax on wages paid to an… [Read More]

Tags: Business Checklist, Employee

Your Company Should Have a Nondisclosure Agreement (Confidentiality Agreement) with its Employees

A Non-Disclosure Agreement (also known as an NDA or confidentiality agreement) is meant to protect a business from its employees misusing valuable proprietary information.  Often it is a good idea to have a confidentiality agreement in place with each of your employees (regardless of position).  For instance, your receptionist and salesperson might have access to… [Read More]

Tags: Business Checklist, Business NDA, Business Trade Secret, Employee, Invention, Nondisclosure, Technology Agreements

What Steps Should I Take in Applying for Disability Benefits?

Consider consulting with a New York disability benefits attorney as the first step in process. Remember, you are bound by whatever you say in your application and what the doctors say in their letters once they are submitted, so you want to make sure everything is submitted completely, carefully and truthfully. It is prudent to consult an attorney as early as [...] [Read more]

Tags: Disability Benefits

Beware of Disability Insurance Policy Traps When Applying for Disability Benefits

As noted in the prior post, “How Do I Apply For Disability Benefits?“, you need to familiarize yourself with your employer’s disability plan document and the SPD of the plan. The following definitions are very important, and if you are not careful when making your disability insurance claim, you could shoot yourself in the foot… [Read More]

Tags: Disability Benefits

How Do I Apply For Disability Benefits?

Briefly, these are the steps you should take before applying for disability benefits – you should review materials that can be obtained from your employer. These may include: Your employee handbook which summarizes the disability benefits (if any) provided by your employer and how to apply for them. The disability plan document (usually an insurance… [Read More]

Tags: Disability Benefits

How Can I Get Disability Benefits?

Employees have many disability benefits available to them.  You should research all available benefits prior to your going out on disability.  Disability benefits each state generally include state workers compensation, state mandated short term disability benefits, social security disability benefits, employer provided short term and long term disability benefits, and disability benefits that you may… [Read More]

Tags: Disability Benefits