THE MORE THINGS CHANGE, THE MORE THEY … CHANGE: RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN TRADE SECRETS PROTECTION AND NON-COMPETITION LAW

By: David J. Houston and Angelina Irvine, with contributions by Sara H. Jodka, Kenneth K. Ching, and David G. Bray Executive Summary and Takeaway: Trade secrets and confidential information are receiving increasing protection in many states, and as more states perceive this as a “business friendly” issue, this trend will continue and expand. Non-competition provisions, …

CETA – Enhanced Options for Labour Mobility in Canada

Canada and the European Union (“EU”) began the provisional application of the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (“CETA”) on September 21, 2017. CETA includes temporary entry provisions that will make it easier for skilled EU professionals and business people to temporarily enter Canada. Of particular note are the one-year work permits that are …

Is a Self-Funded STD Plan an ERISA Plan or an Exempt Payroll Practice?

ERISA generally governs all pension and welfare benefit plans. In regulations, the Department of Labor (“DOL”) has exempted certain types of plans or practices from the definition of a welfare benefit plan under Title I of ERISA.  One commonly used exemption is the “payroll practice” exemption.  Exempt payroll practices include “payment of an employee’s normal …

Confidential Settlements of Sexual Harassment Claims Are No Longer Deductible by a Company Under the Tax Act

Companies generally are allowed to deduct all ordinary and necessary expenses paid during the year to carry on a trade or business, including most expenses related to settlement of a lawsuit or claim relating to the business. But expenses such as illegal bribes and fines paid to the government for violation of any law are …

Five Common Employer Social Media Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Social media has been and will continue to be an issue for employers. It has become the way people, especially Millennials, who make up a significant amount of the restaurant-industry workforce, communicate. When most employers think about social media in the workplace, they tend to think solely in terms of the high-profile social media firing …