Here's a tip for management — keep your hands off of your employees' tips.
Tuesday, November 5, 2024
A tip on employee tips
Here's a tip for management — keep your hands off of your employees' tips.
For more information, contact Jon at (440) 695-8044 or JHyman@Wickenslaw.com.
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Monday, November 4, 2024
How to keep a union out of your business
Workers are organizing at unprecedented rates. From October 1, 2023, to September 30, 2024, the National Labor Relations Board received 3,286 union election petitions, up 27% from the year prior and more than double the number received in 2021. Much of the push comes from service industries like retail, education, and healthcare. Union drives, however, don't start in a vacuum. They happen when employees feel ignored, underpaid, or disrespected.
For more information, contact Jon at (440) 695-8044 or JHyman@Wickenslaw.com.
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Service charges: A hidden trap for employees (and customers)
You just wrapped up a great meal at your favorite restaurant. The server drops off the check, and there's a surprise—your $100 tab is now $120, thanks to a $20 "service charge" added at the bottom. But here's the kicker: under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), that service charge isn't considered wages for your server. The restaurant can legally keep it all without sharing a dime.
For more information, contact Jon at (440) 695-8044 or JHyman@Wickenslaw.com.
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When employees just can't get along
Dan and Todd? They used to be best friends. But things got messy, and now they can't stand each other. Dan's ready to move on, but Todd? Not so much. Problem is, they work on the same team you manage, and now Dan's knocking on your door, hoping you'll step in and fix things.
Sure, you could tell them, "Just avoid each other and carry on." Sounds easy, right? Why make two people who aren't friends anymore work together if they don't want to? But here's the catch: avoiding this issue might be an easy short-term fix, but it's not a long-term solution that actually works. In most workplaces, people can't just steer clear of each other, especially if they need to interact on the daily.
So instead of hoping it all blows over, try these steps to get Dan and Todd back on the same page professionally—even if the friendship ship has sailed.
For more information, contact Jon at (440) 695-8044 or JHyman@Wickenslaw.com.
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Tuesday, October 29, 2024
Harassment by "comedy" is anything but a laughing matter
A CEO hires a stand-up comedian to warm up employees before delivering the keynote at the company's annual all-hands meeting. But the comedian's set is anything but workplace appropriate. His "jokes" insult and offend everyone — Blacks, Hispanics, Jews, Muslims, women, LGBTQ+ individuals. Everyone, that is, except white men.
It's clear your employees aren't amused. Some look angry and offended. Others walk out in protest.
Now imagine you're the CEO. What do you do?
For more information, contact Jon at (440) 695-8044 or JHyman@Wickenslaw.com.
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Friday, October 25, 2024
WIRTW #736: the 'vote' edition
On the latest episode of The Norah and Dad Show, my daughter and I discussed voting. Specifically, we discussed Norah's experience voting, which she did for the very first time when she was home for fall break a couple of weeks ago.
Voting is an act that might appear small, but it's actually monumental. It is a right that I've always taken seriously, and it's one of those moments that makes you reflect on the values you've tried to instill as a parent. Standing alongside Norah at the polls, I thought about the conversations we've had over the years—about fairness, democracy, and the importance of using your voice. She now gets to make her voice heard in a new, impactful way.
Watching your child become an active participant in our democracy is a proud moment. It's not just about the issues or the candidates on the ballot (although with this election it kind of is); it's about her stepping into adulthood with a sense of responsibility and purpose. I hope it's an experience that she'll carry with her every time she goes to the polls in the future.
👉 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon Music, Overcast, the web, and anywhere else you get your podcasts.For more information, contact Jon at (440) 695-8044 or JHyman@Wickenslaw.com.
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Wednesday, October 23, 2024
The 12th nominee for the Worst Employer of 2024 is … the hurricane haranguer
What's worse than keeping employees on the job during a natural disaster? How about doing that, knowing full well how dangerous the situation is—and sneaking out yourself before things hit the fan? Impact Plastics and its CEO, Gerald O'Connor, seem to have written the playbook on reckless disregard for human life.
And when did they finally decide to send workers home? After the parking lot flooded, power was lost, and the full brunt of the storm was bearing down on them. Too little, too late.
For more information, contact Jon at (440) 695-8044 or JHyman@Wickenslaw.com.
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Tuesday, October 22, 2024
"Why would you want to do a man's job?"
"Why would you want to do a man's job?" That's one of the sexist questions the EEOC alleges Waste Industries—a solid waste removal, recycling, and landfill service provider—repeatedly asked female job applicants.
For more information, contact Jon at (440) 695-8044 or JHyman@Wickenslaw.com.
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Friday, October 18, 2024
WIRTW #735: the 'client' edition
Being a party in a lawsuit is a humbling experience for any lawyer. After decades of representing clients, I recently found myself on the other side—this time as a plaintiff. I can't dive into specifics, but the experience left me with several important lessons to share.
First, the emotional weight of litigation is real. No matter how rational or well-prepared you are, being a party in a lawsuit brings an element of personal stress that's hard to fully understand until you've lived it. It's a good reminder that when clients seem frustrated or overwhelmed, it's not just the legal process—they're feeling the impact of uncertainty on their life or business.
One surprising lesson I learned is the importance of patience. As lawyers, we often forget how slow litigation can feel from the client's perspective. Every delay, motion, or rescheduled meeting drags out the process. Experiencing those delays firsthand gave me a deeper understanding of how frustrating it can be to wait for answers. Moving forward, I'll be more mindful of this in my practice and do what I can to streamline things for my clients whenever possible.
Lastly, I learned how valuable a settlement can be. It's easy to get wrapped up in "winning," but the truth is, not every battle is worth dragging out. Compromise, when approached strategically, isn't a defeat—it's a way to bring closure, minimize risk, and move on to what matters most.
This experience gave me new perspective to carry into my practice. Sometimes the best insights come from walking a mile in someone else's shoes, or this case my own shoes from the other side of the street.
For more information, contact Jon at (440) 695-8044 or JHyman@Wickenslaw.com.
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