OK at Work: Clear Management Messaging to Boost Engagement and Reduce Legal Risk
On this week's OK at Work, Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger discuss the relevance of clear messaging from management to employees in order to promote engagement and reduce legal risk. Listen to learn more.
October 1, 2024
OK at Work: Protecting Intellectual Property
On this week's OK at Work, Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger discuss the importance of businesses protecting their intellectual property - both online and otherwise. Listen to learn more.
September 24, 2024
OK at Work: Understanding Last Chance Agreements for Non-Union Employers
On this week's OK at Work, Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger explore the use cases for last chance agreements by employers without organized labor. Listen to learn more.
September 18, 2024
OK at Work: Courts Block FTC Non-Compete Ban
On this week's OK at Work, Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger discuss the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas' block on the FTC non-compete ban that was to take effect on September 4th and next steps for employers.
September 3, 2024
OK at Work: Asset Purchases vs. Purchases of Stock or Ownership Interest
On this week's OK at Work, Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger explain the basic conceptual differences between an asset purchase and a purchase of stock or ownership interest, as well as what businesses contemplating a transaction should be asking. Listen to learn more.
August 27, 2024
OK at Work: Is Your Business Compliant with Maryland's New Payroll Law?
On this week's OK at Work, Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger discuss Maryland's new law requiring the inclusion of certain information on pay stubs and how this should prompt a broader review of technical payroll compliance. Listen to learn more.
August 21, 2024
OK at Work: Business Succession Planning
On this week's OK at Work, Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger discuss the need for business owners to plan for the unexpected, especially when it comes to key management positions. Listen to learn more.
August 6, 2024
OK at Work: Maryland Requires Pay Transparency
On this week's OK at Work, Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger discuss Maryland's move to join the handful of states that require disclosure of compensation ranges in job postings and how that impacts businesses. Listen to learn more.
July 23, 2024
OK at Work: Court Cases Related to FTC's Non-Compete Ban
On this week's OK at Work, Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger discuss the latest developments in the court battles related to the FTC's non-compete ban, which is set to take effect on September 4, 2024.
July 16, 2024
OK at Work: When Do You Call Your Lawyer?
On this week's OK at Work, Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger discuss the obvious and the not-so-obvious reasons for business owners and in-house counsel to call their lawyers.
July 11, 2024
OK at Work: Minimum Wage Increases
On this week's OK at Work, Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger discuss changes to local minimum wage standards going into effect on July 1 and beyond. Listen to learn more.
June 25, 2024
OK at Work: Risk Assessment When Terminating an Employee
On this week's OK at Work, Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger discuss the risk assessment calculus that employers should work through when considering the termination of an employee. Listen to learn more.
June 18, 2024
OK at Work: Navigating Business Partnerships
On this week's OK at Work, Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger discuss some of the considerations that business owners should work through when taking on and working with partners. Listen to learn more.
June 11, 2024
OK at Work: Suing for Damages vs. Seeking Injunctive Relief
On this week's OK at Work, Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger discuss the differences between suing for damages and seeking injunctive relief as well as the strategic considerations behind both. Listen to learn more. ">
June 4, 2024
OK at Work: How to Manage Managers
On this week's OK at Work, Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger discuss the importance of and challenges that businesses face when managing managers. Listen to learn more.
May 29, 2024
OK at Work: Department of Labor's Newest Guidance on LGBTQ+ Issues
On this week's OK at Work, Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger discuss the Department of Labor's recent guidance on LGBTQ+ issues in the workplace and how employers need to evolve their workplace policies. Listen to learn more.
May 21, 2024
OK at Work: Increases to FLSA’s Salary Basis Test
On this week's OK at Work, Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger discuss the upcoming increase to the FLSA's salary basis test that will require employers to either provide substantial raises or to reclassify certain exempt employees as non-exempt and pay them hourly. Listen to learn more.
May 14, 2024
OK at Work: FTC's New Ruling on Non-Compete Provisions
On this week's OK at Work, Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger discuss the FTC's new rule on non-compete provisions and the practical steps employers can take right now. Listen to learn more.
May 7, 2024
OK at Work: Compensation of the Summer Intern
On this week's OK at Work, Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger discuss the challenges that employers face when trying to determine if a summer intern is actually an employee that needs to be paid. Listen to learn more.
May 1, 2024
OK at Work: What to Consider When Altering Compensation
On this week's OK at Work, Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger discuss what employers should consider when adjusting employee compensation. Listen to learn more.
April 16, 2024
OK at Work: When and How to Enforce a Contract
On this week’s OK at Work, Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger discuss proactive contract enforcement and things to consider when drafting a contract to ease enforcement. Listen to learn more.
April 9, 2024
OK at Work: The Department of Labor's 2024 Classification Ruling
On this week's OK at Work, Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger discuss the Department of Labor's (DOL) 2024 final rule for classifying workers as employees or independent contractors under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). This new rule rescinds the 2021 rule, which emphasized examination of a company's control over the work and the worker's opportunity for profit or loss when assessing whether a worker is an employee or contractor. Under the new rule, the DOL returns to a collective analysis of several factors, including the previously emphasized factors but also including factors like the permeance of the working relationship between the worker and the company, whether the work performed is an integral part of the company's business, and the specialized skills needed to perform the role. Listen to learn more!
January 23, 2024
OK at Work: Review Season – Compensations and Your Business’s Objectives
On this week's OK at Work, Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger discuss comp review season and strategies employers should consider in evaluating compensation and communicating with employees. Employers should make sure that incentive compensation is aligned with the business's strategic objectives. Of course, in Maryland, these adjustments must be considered along with the increase to a $15/hour minimum wage. Listen to learn more!
January 16, 2024
OK at Work: Using Reimbursement Provisions with Employees
On this week's OK at Work, Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger address the benefits and risks associated with employers using reimbursement provisions with employees. While employers generally have some ability to require employees to reimburse certain expenses if they choose to leave, there are limits on how enforceable these provisions are currently that we expect may be further challenged in the future. Listen to learn more!
January 9, 2024
OK at Work: Intermittent FMLA Leave
On this week's OK at Work, Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger discuss the challenges associated with helping employees to realize the full benefit of parental leave. A key strategy is the discretionary use of at least some intermittent leave. Listen to learn more!
January 2, 2024
OK at Work: The Challenges of Work-Sponsored Holiday Parties
On this week’s OK at Work, Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger once again discuss the challenges of work-sponsored holiday parties. While such parties are important for office culture and team building, it is important to remember that certain workplace rules still apply, and employees should behave accordingly. Listen to learn more!
December 19, 2023
OK at Work: Contacting Employees on a Protected Leave
On this week’s OK at Work, Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger discuss best practices related to reaching out to employees when they are on a protected leave, such as FMLA. While not all contact would constitute impermissible interference, employers should understand the applicable rules and assess whether reaching out to an employee on leave violates the law before making the outreach. Listen to learn more!
December 12, 2023
OK at Work: New York City's Regulation of Generative AI
On this week's OK at Work, Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger discuss New York City's regulation of generative AI in the context of employment decision-making and the obligation it places on employers that utilize these tools. In addition to this specific regulation, there are a number of laws that prohibit discrimination in the workplace that should cause employers to think about how they "manage" their AI. Listen to learn more!
November 28, 2023
OK at Work: Taking a Proactive Approach to Accommodation Requests
On this week's OK at Work, Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger discuss accommodation requests, the length of such accommodations, and the timing of a return to work. These challenges should not be considered in a vacuum. Instead, an employer should take a proactive approach to getting answers and engaging in the interactive process with the employee to develop a compliant plan. Listen to learn more!
November 22, 2023
OK at Work: Calculating Proper Overtime Rates
On this week's OK at Work, Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger discuss the challenges of calculating proper overtime rates when a non-exempt employee is compensated on a piece rate or a day rate. Paying 1.5 times the minimum wage is not necessarily the right answer and employers should take care to understand the nuances of the required calculations. Listen to learn more!
November 14, 2023
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Vlog Overview
OK at Work, hosted by Offit Kurman attorneys Russell Berger and Sarah Sawyer, is a weekly video series that discusses current events and legal issues impacting business owners. From updates on the ever-changing employment law landscape to the risks and benefits of integrating AI into your workplace, subscribe to stay up-to-date on issues and events that may impact you and your business.
Disclaimer
The content presented in this video series is for general understanding and informational purposes only and is not intended to provide legal advice, nor should it be construed as legal advice. The information provided is based on general legal principles and may not reflect the current state of the law or specific details of your case. Laws vary by jurisdiction, and legal outcomes can be highly dependent on the specific facts and circumstances involved. Listening to or using this video series does not create an attorney-client relationship between the hosts, guests, or participants and any listener. It is your responsibility to seek professional legal advice for your specific situation from a licensed professional attorney in your state.
