Employers commonly utilize social media to gather information about prospective employees as part of the hiring process. Although social media can be very useful for this purpose, the law on what is permissible use by an employer is underdeveloped. While we wait for the law to catch up to technology,…
Insights
To Be Exempt or Not Exempt; That is the Question
When hiring, many employers do not give proper consideration to whether newly hired employees should be classified as “exempt” employees who by law are not entitled to overtime pay for hours worked in excess of 40 hours in any workweek, or “nonexempt” employees who are entitled to overtime pay. A…
“Smaldino v. Commissioner”: An Estate Planning Cautionary Tale
A recent Tax Court case, Smaldino v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 2021-127 (Nov. 10, 2021), emphasizes the need to ensure that the phases of transactions are completed properly, and certain formalities are observed in order for an estate planning strategy to be successful. It is important to be careful even (and perhaps…
What Employers Need to Know About Employee Privacy
In an age where anyone can look up almost anyone or anything online, the term “privacy” can be difficult to define. The meaning of the word becomes even more challenging when viewing privacy in the context of the workplace. Many employers struggle with not only identifying what is private protectable…
Crisis Management: Safeguards to Protect Against Financial Elder Fraud
In an era where digital transactions are becoming increasingly prevalent, the mechanisms by which financial institutions inform customers of potential fraudulent activities are under scrutiny. Recently proposed revisions seek not only to bolster security measures but also to ensure that customers are promptly and clearly notified, thus minimizing the risk…
Avoiding Misclassification of New Jersey Workers
When determining whether to classify a worker as an employee or an independent contractor, employers in New Jersey must follow the “ABC” test. Under this test, an individual receiving remuneration in return for rendering services is presumed to be an employee unless the employer can meet its burden of proving all three of…
The Crucial Role Parenting Coordinators Play in Helping Former Spouses Co-Parent Effectively
For spouses who have made the decision to divorce, the emotional toll placed on them and their children can be quite challenging. One of the most consequential matters that must be decided will be how both parents address raising their children once they have separated. Common parenting issues include visitation…
Wrongful Discharge Suit Against Walmart for Failure to Hire Recreational Cannabis User Goes Up in Smoke
In a case of first impression, a split judicial panel of the Third Circuit Court of Appeals concluded that New Jersey job seekers do not have the right to sue employers who rescind job offers to applicants testing positive for cannabis, despite state legislation that bars employers from doing just…
Preliminary Injunction of CTA and What it Means for Reporting Companies
On December 3, 2024 the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas granted a nationwide preliminary injunction, enjoining the enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”) and staying its reporting deadline. Congress passed the CTA in January of 2021, and it became effective on January 1, 2024.…
Remote Work and Cybersecurity: Keeping Law Firm Data Safe Beyond the Office
With the rise of hybrid and remote work in the legal industry, the challenge of securing sensitive client data has grown exponentially. Law firms must grapple with ensuring data protection across varied locations and through potentially vulnerable networks. Protecting data is not only a matter of compliance but also central…