COVID-19
Can my employer force me to receive the Covid-19 Vaccine?
As the Covid-19 vaccine continues to be distributed across the country, employees are becoming increasingly
Eric Gros-Dubois
January 22, 2021
Employment Law
Should Employees Request and Keep a Signed Copy of Their Employment Contract?
As an employee, you should know what you are entitled to from your employer. It
Eric Gros-Dubois
January 14, 2021
Employment Law
Does Your Business Need an Employee Handbook?
Is Your Business Required to Have an Employee Handbook? The short answer is no. There
Silvino Diaz
December 31, 2020
Employment Law
What If I Was Furloughed In Florida?
According to Section 110.107(11) of the Florida Statutes, “Furlough” means a temporary reduction in the regular hours of employment in a pay period, or temporary leave without pay for one or more pay periods, with a commensurate reduction in pay, which is necessitated by a projected deficit in any fund that supports salary and benefit appropriations.
Eric Gros-Dubois
October 7, 2020
Employment Law
What can I do if my employee is not taking sufficient efforts to be re-tested after having Coronavirus?
Five months into the Coronavirus pandemic, it is unfortunately common for one of your employees to test positive for the virus. What do you do? You give them time to recover at home, ensure that they sufficiently isolate themselves, and then request 2 negative test results in accordance with CDC guidelines. Eventually, it will be time for your employee to return to the office—but what do you do if they refuse to be tested?
Eric Gros-Dubois
July 22, 2020
Employment Law
Understanding Florida Reemployment Assistance
The Florida Reemployment Assistance Program has several eligibility criteria it imposes on individuals who apply.
Eric Gros-Dubois
July 16, 2020
Employment Law
What is a 1099 form and when do I need to file it?
1099-MISC is an important form that misfiling or failing to file will cost you hundreds of dollars. Be sure to inform yourself on your tax duties as a business owner. Here’s everything you need to know.
Oscar Gomez
June 17, 2020
Employment Law
When can my Unemployment Claim be Denied?
In Florida, to obtain reemployment assistance benefits, an individual must file a claim with the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. Once the claim is filed, the claim undergoes an adjudication process where the claim is reviewed for potential issues which may disqualify an individual from receiving reemployment benefits such as: reason for termination, individual’s availability, and individual’s ability to work.
Eric Gros-Dubois
June 4, 2020
Contract
Why Are Employment Contracts So Important?
An employment contract is an agreement between two parties – an employee and an employer, that involves terms and conditions of employment. Some employment contracts may be oral, whereas others are written and contain many descriptive provisions. Oral employment contracts are enforceable but could be much more difficult to prove in court.
Eric Gros-Dubois
June 3, 2020
Employment Law
What Is HIPAA?
The HIPAA stands for The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. This federal Act protects the privacy of patient information from third parties. Therefore, most healthcare providers such as healthcare insurance companies, hospitals, etc. can only disclose patient information in cases when the HIPAA allows the disclosure. Under the HIPAA, apart from disclosing the patient’s information for treatment purposes, only “the minimum necessary to accomplish the purpose of the disclosure” can be revealed.
Eric Gros-Dubois
May 26, 2020
COVID-19
Rehiring Furloughed Employees Post-Covid-19
A furlough is a temporary, unpaid leave of absence, with an expectation that an employee will return to his or her job at a specific time. A furlough could also include reduced hours of work or work weeks. Ultimately, a furloughed employee remains an employee.
Eric Gros-Dubois
May 25, 2020
COVID-19
Employment Standards During Covid-19
The OSHA wants to ensure certain safety measures in a working environment, yet, also want to make certain that an employee is asserting an issue or concern in good faith. If your employer fails to implement proper guidelines or does not take reasonable steps to safeguard your well-being, then the law offers you, as an employee, the right to refuse to come into your workplace, until the imminent fear is no longer apparent.
Silvino Diaz
May 19, 2020
Bankruptcy
Covid-19 Disaster Assistance Update
The measurements taken to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in the US have caused an economic downturn that is dramatically affecting our country’s small businesses. While Congress was able to enact the CARES Act to provide emergency financial aid to those applied for one of its programs; unfortunately, it has now been reported that funding for these programs has been exhausted.
Silvino Diaz
May 5, 2020
COVID-19
FLORIDA “REEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE”: Simple Answers to Common Questions Regarding Unemployment Claims and Benefits
Navigating the complex process of applying for reemployment assistance in the wake of an unexpected layoff is never a simple task. That difficult process is made even more complicated during a crisis that creates mass unemployment, such as the one which we are currently experiencing as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This guide is designed to answer some of the most commonly asked questions with regard to the Florida Reemployment Assistance program and to discuss changes in this area of law that have been made in light of the ongoing pandemic.
Silvino Diaz
May 1, 2020
Bankruptcy
Who is a Borrower’s Representative?
Borrower’s Representative means an individual or an organization that is designated by the Borrower to act on behalf of the Borrower by a written certificate and complying with the requirements of the applicable state. The borrower’s representative always requires some written proof of authority before being able to act on behalf of the borrower.
Eric Gros-Dubois
April 29, 2020
Business Law
How to Ensure you are Compliant with the PPP Loan
Over the past several weeks, thousands of businesses have applied for and (some) have received the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program loan. An attractive condition of this loan is the potential it to be forgiven. However, the SBA has continued to issue guidance on how to remain eligible for forgiveness, and there are strict protocols that businesses must follow.
Silvino Diaz
April 29, 2020
Business Law
Can an Employer Inquire into Whether its Employees have been Exposed to Coronavirus?
The COVID-19 Virus (“Coronavirus”) is presenting challenges for businesses in a multitude of areas. One particularly concerning prospect is an employee being exposed to the virus and in turn contaminating the rest of the business. While employers may want to ask their employees questions about their health to evaluate the risk of exposure, employers need to be aware of the various laws surrounding this sensitive topic.
Eric Gros-Dubois
March 13, 2020
Employment Law
Does my Employer Have to pay me if I am Quarantined due to the Coronavirus?
With the current state of the world, you may be thinking about what you can expect if you are unable to go to work due to the Coronavirus. Employment and Labor laws can vary by state, and by county. Additionally, you may have a contract or collective bargaining agreement with your employer that determines what happens when you cannot show up to work due to a public health emergency. While your employer will most likely not require you to come to work if you are under quarantine, your employer may not be required to pay you for the time you are out.
Eric Gros-Dubois
March 12, 2020
Employment Law
Can I claim Unemployment if I am Laid off because of Coronavirus?
With the pandemic that is the Coronavirus affecting the whole world, many employees may be considering staying home these next few weeks while the virus is spreading throughout the United States.
Aviv Asoulin
March 12, 2020
Business Law
Can I be Fired if I Stay Home During the Corona Virus Panic?
Many employees across the world are contemplating staying home with the spread of the Corona Virus pandemic. If you are in an at-will state, your employer may have a lot of power if you decide to not to show up for work.
Aviv Asoulin
March 12, 2020
Business Law
Prevent Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
Sexual harassment occurs far more often than one would expect. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination which violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Title VII applies to employers with 15 or more employees in any capacity, whether it is a private workplace or a government agency.
Eric Gros-Dubois
February 27, 2020
Business Law
Is it Legal to take Clients away from your Employer?
Client lists are usually labeled as “confidential” and within the company access to them is limited. Other companies divide their client lists by sales/business geographical territory to minimize access of employees to the lists even more.
Eric Gros-Dubois
February 27, 2020
Employment Law
Can small Start-up Companies Sponsor Foreign Individuals when Their OPT has Expired?
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is temporary work authorization, granted to F-1 “International Student” visa holders. OPT is offered to students that qualify under their degree program to engage in work directly related to their major area of study.
Silvino Diaz
February 17, 2020
Business Law
What is an ADA Compliant Website?
Businesses, places of employment, and governments serving the general public are required to accommodate those with disabilities of various sorts.
Eric Gros-Dubois
February 13, 2020
Business Law
Bullying in the Workplace
Workplace bullying is generally known as the repeated mistreatment of a person by one or more employees that takes the form of verbal abuse or conduct or behaviors that are threatening, intimidating, or humiliating.
Eric Gros-Dubois
February 13, 2020
Employment Law
How do I know if I am Being Misclassified as an Independent Contractor?
If your employer controls how long your lunch is, how many hours a day you have to come into the office, how many sick days or vacations you have, how the work is done, when the work is done, and where the work is done then you are being misclassified as an independent contractor.
Eric Gros-Dubois
January 15, 2020
Employment Law
What Happens If A W-2 Employee Finds Out The Employer Wasn’t Withholding Employment Taxes?
Employers are responsible for sending the W-2 form to the IRS and to the employee each year, which reports the employee’s annual wages and the amount of taxes withheld from his or her paychecks.
Eric Gros-Dubois
January 10, 2020
Employment Law
Can My Boss Fire Me for No Reason?
If you live in an at-will state, you can be fired for no reason at all. However, if you are wrongfully terminated, you may be able to sue.
Oscar Gomez
December 23, 2019