Earlier this year, the California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced an enforcement sweep of loyalty programs operated by retailers, supermarkets, home improvement stores, travel companies, and food service companies. The Office of the Attorney General has issued notice of noncompliance letters to a number of businesses offering financial incentives, such as discounts, free items, or other rewards, in exchange for personal information, that their office believes might not be fully compliant with the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). What is a loyalty program? While structured in a variety of ways, loyalty programs often track how much consumers have spent and/or... READ MORE

The decision to terminate an employee is often a difficult one.  Whether due to finding a replacement, the stress and aggravation the employee situation has become, or due to the potential exposure and liability you could face if the separation is not handled correctly.  However, by ensuring that you have taken into consideration 5 important issues when making the termination decision, you can proceed with the separation, in a fair and consistent manner which best protects your organization.  Is the Decision Justified and Not A surprise to the employee? To protect the organization as well as to avoid turnover whenever... READ MORE

You’ve got this great idea and you love the name you’ve come up with for the brand. You’ve put up a website, created a logo for it, built a business model around the idea and started inviting people to buy, join or invest. Maybe you’ve had a year of moderate success or even super achievements. Then, one day you get that letter or email saying “Hey, that’s my trademark, my brand and my business! We own this and you need to cease and desist from using the brand any further.” (Paraphrased. These notices are a lot stronger with more legalese... READ MORE

Solid legal structures based on setting up the right business entity and working with customized contracts are essential for business success. But is your business structure outdated based on where you’re at today? The legal structure you originally set up has worked for your business to this point, but each year brings numerous changes to tax laws, employment laws, and other areas that may impact your business and its liability implications. As we continue to grow and evolve in our business, it’s always a good idea to check in with your business attorney, accountant and tax advisor regarding where your... READ MORE

Every California employer is required to display current California and Federal Labor Law postings at each company facility; physically posted in conspicuous places in the workplace, such as break rooms or other common areas, where employees can easily read them. Remote Employees: In addition to physical postings at the company facility, employers with remote employees who work entirely from home, must mail hard copies of the required employment notices to the employees homes where they can be posted. If the remote workers periodically report to a physical location, notices must also be posted and visible in that location.  Employers have... READ MORE

The Governor has signed into law several new pieces of legislation effective January 1, 2022.   Here are the changes that impact your business. Minimum Wage Increase in California Minimum wage for California workers of Employers with 26 or more employees will increase to $15.00 per hour.  For employers with 25 or fewer employees, minimum wage will be $14.00 per hour. Note that for the City of Los Angeles, minimum wage is $15.00 per hour regardless of the employer’s size. (Related Article: Be sure to read about required California and Federal Labor Law Postings and how it includes remote employees... READ MORE

As an entrepreneur, having your own book has a number of benefits in setting yourself apart in your industry and even helping others by sharing your story or experience. Writing a book provides you with credibility, you can call yourself an author, and it opens you up to more opportunities when it comes to being seen in the media or getting speaking opportunities which can also set you up as an expert in your field.  Whether self publishing or working with a book publisher, there are legal considerations you need to be aware of while writing your book, before you... READ MORE

Based on the current laws in place, it’s critical that employers are properly classifying individuals providing services as either employees or independent contractors. Generally speaking, if the business has the right to control the details of how the worker’s services are performed or when and how they will be done, that individual is considered an employee. Whereas, an independent contractor is typically an individual in an independent business, profession or trade who offers their services to the public.  The relationship between the worker and the business can be established by looking at the following categories:  Does the company control or... READ MORE

The Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that it is accepting new applications from small businesses still being impacted by the pandemic for its enhanced the COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. Some of the enhancements include increasing the borrowing limit from $500,000 to $2 million with loan funds being used for working capital and normal operating expenses such as payroll, paying debt and purchasing equipment; Offering 24 months of deferment to repay the loan; Expanding eligible use of funds to allow borrowers to prepay higher-interest commercial debt and make payments on federal business debt; and simplifying the application process... READ MORE

As a small business owner, self-employed person or wage earner who may earn income not subject to tax withholding (i.e., your employer withholds tax from your paycheck), you may want to look into making quarterly estimated tax payments to help avoid unexpected tax bills or a penalty. Typically, if one expects to owe $1,000 or more when filing their 2021 tax return, they need to make estimated tax payments. In addition to business owners and self-employed persons, sole proprietors, partners and S corporation shareholders are also expected to make tax payments. Corporations generally must make these payments if they expect... READ MORE