Advance Planning Needed for Effective Business Succession
- June 25, 2014 | By Shawna L. L'Italien | Business & Employment, Estate Planning
Business owners spend much of their lives building up their businesses but often fail to plan for succession. This lack of planning can invite unfavorable consequences for the owner’s financial picture, his or her family, the business itself and its…
Ruling Finds Telecommuting May Be Required As ‘Reasonable Accommodation' for Disability
- June 12, 2014 | By Martin J. Boetcher | Business & Employment
A recent appeals court ruling that an employer may be required to permit an employee to work from home as part of a “reasonable accommodation” for a disability could have implications for Ohio employers. The U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of…
Ohio BWC Transitions to Prospective Billing
- June 10, 2014 | By Martin J. Boetcher | Business & Employment
The Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation is transitioning to a prospective premium payment plan for Ohio state fund employers. Previously, the Bureau had billed state fund employers retrospectively for the prior six months of workers' compensation coverage. However, beginning July…
Employee Handbooks Can Bring Benefits, Dangers
- November 20, 2012 | By Shawna L. L'Italien | Business & Employment
Each employer makes its own decision on whether or not to have an employee handbook. When done right and handled correctly, handbooks provide the benefit of consistency, communication, clarity and support. However, if not done right, an employee handbook can…
Doing Business with Oil & Gas Companies Requires Close Scrutiny and Caution
- July 3, 2012 | By Martin J. Boetcher | Business & Employment, Oil & Gas
The rise of oil & gas exploration activity in the northeastern Ohio has created business opportunities for many local companies. Making the most of those opportunities requires caution with respect to the contracts that govern business relationships with the large…
New EEOC Guidelines on Background Checks May Mean New Approaches for Employers
- July 2, 2012 | By Martin J. Boetcher | Business & Employment
New Equal Employment Opportunity Commission guidelines about employers' use of criminal records in hiring decisions may require employers to consider some new approaches. The new EEOC guidelines deal with the use of arrest and conviction records in employment-related decisions like…
HHM Attorney Millich Among Region’s ’40 Under 40′
- October 18, 2011 | Business & Employment, News
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — George P. Millich Jr., an attorney with Harrington, Hoppe & Mitchell, is among the 40 young professionals selected for the “40 Under 40” awards. The awards, sponsored by the Mahoning Valley Young Professionals Club and the Community Foundation of…
Hidden Risks Lurk In Some Form Contracts
- May 15, 2008 | By John T. Dellick | Business & Employment, Litigation
As a matter of convenience, cost savings or industry practice, many parties confirm their agreement through pre-printed form contracts. Properly prepared form agreements are intended to be used in limited and generally routine transactions. However, the use of the wrong…
Before Discipline, Consider These 10 Tough Questions
- September 1, 2007 | By Alan D. Wenger | Business & Employment
Nearly every employer faces the need to discipline or discharge an employee. Often the facts and circumstances are not so clear and simple, and questions arise as to whether the employer is following correct procedures to avoid getting into legal…