Employer Incentives Under the New Federal Coronavirus Response Act

 Last week, you probably felt inundated with COVID-19 information and updates.  Everything – and I mean everything – seems to be evolving rapidly.  On March 18, the President signed an emergency law (the “Family’s First Coronavirus Response Act”) to provide initial relief to workers in the wake of the pandemic. The law expands federal FMLARead More

What Employers Should Be Thinking About as Coronavirus Continues to Disrupt Our Lives and the Workplace

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared the coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19) a “pandemic.”  Employers should mobilize and prepare now to ensure that they are equipped to handle the inevitable disruptions in the workplace that this relatively unprecedented pandemic may cause.  Here are some things you should be thinking about: Tough QuestionsRead More

It’s Been 24 Days … Are You Caught Up on the Newest Overtime Regs?

Happy New Year!  We are officially 24-days into the modern 20s, and it’s time for your friendly lawyerly reminder that the Federal Department of Labor (DOL)’s “Final Rule” on overtime pay (that was announced in September of last year) took effect on January 1, 2020.  Perhaps more importantly, Maine’s minimum wage went up to $12.00Read More

Can You Crack The Millennial Code?

Be honest: when you saw the word, “millennial” in the title of this article, did you roll your eyes?  You’re not alone.  Many employers’ first reaction to “millennials” is that they are “lazy,” “entitled,” and generally annoying to deal with.  But, this little workplace problem isn’t going away.  According to Forbes Magazine, by 2025 millennialsRead More

Preparing for A Divorce

If you are considering seeking a divorce or have recently been served with papers seeking a divorce, you might be overwhelmed by the process and wondering what you should be doing. Every situation is different, but starting to collect and organize your documents and information can help make the process go more efficiently and smoothly.Read More

Big Changes for Tax Treatment of Spousal Support Payments on the Horizon in 2019

Historically, spousal support payments (a/k/a alimony) have been tax deductible for the payor and taxable income for the recipient. The Tax Cuts and Job Act (TCJA) passed by Congress changes all that for new divorces granted starting January 1, 2019. Starting in 2019, spousal support payments made under new divorce judgments will no longer beRead More

Are Protests Protected Activity Under the National Labor Relations Act? Maybe.

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)’s general counsel ruffled a few feathers last month by finding that employees who skip work to protest could be protected from termination under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA).  This has the potential to be a pretty startling finding for employers with politically active employees  . . . soRead More