OK at Work

In this week’s OK at Work, attorneys Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger discuss the concept of joint employment and its implications for businesses. Learn when joint employment applies, the risks involved, and practical steps employers can take to avoid unexpected liabilities.

0:07 – Introduction and Overview of Joint Employment
1:07 – Main Risks and Wage Obligations in Joint Employment
2:01 – Real-World Examples and Common Scenarios
2:33 – Avoiding Surprises and Planning Ahead
4:11 – Final Reminders and Closing Thoughts

Join attorneys Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger from Offit Kurman in this week's episode of OK at Work as they discuss the critical role of trusted professionals for business owners. They emphasize the significance of forming a comprehensive team of advisors—legal, accounting, tax, banking, and insurance—to provide well-rounded, strategic advice. Russell highlights the need for alignment and thorough understanding of a business’s goals by advisors, while Sarah underscores the importance of open communication to ensure advisors can offer the best guidance. Learn how to build effective professional relationships to benefit your business.

00:00 Introduction to Trusted Professionals

00:59 Building Your Team of Advisors

01:15 The Importance of Alignment and Communication

01:59 The Value of Proactive Advice

02:13 Providing Complete Information to Advisors

03:17 Scenarios and Challenges in Business Advice

03:59 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Join attorneys Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger from Offit Kurman as they discuss indemnification clauses in contracts. They explain what indemnification means, its implications, and the importance of carefully reviewing and customizing these clauses in various contexts such as employment, mergers, and acquisitions. Learn why these often-overlooked boilerplate sections in a contract could be key to understanding potential liabilities and protecting yourself in business dealings.

00:00 Introduction to Indemnification
00:28 Understanding Indemnification Clauses
01:05 Contexts and Limitations of Indemnification
01:48 Importance of Indemnification in Contracts
02:14 Risk Transfer in Employment and Construction
02:44 Key Takeaways on Indemnification
02:58 Conclusion

In this week's episode of OK at Work, attorneys Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger from Offit Kurman discuss the challenges surrounding workplace communications on controversial topics. They explore the impact of such conversations on productivity and the importance of balancing employee freedom with maintaining a conducive work environment. They also provide insights into navigating anti-discrimination and anti-harassment laws while creating policies to manage discussions that may cause discomfort among employees.

00:00 Introduction to Workplace Communications

01:06 Navigating Anti-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Laws

01:34 Managing Sensitive Topics in the Workplace

02:04 Balancing Productivity and Employee Comfort

03:46 Implementing Effective Workplace Policies

04:15 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Join attorneys Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger from Offit Kurman in this week's episode of OK at Work as they discuss essential recruiting and hiring practices. Learn about the importance of having a structured process to ensure compliance with state laws and avoid discriminatory practices. Discover key considerations for job postings, proper candidate classification, and conducting fair and equitable interviews. This episode emphasizes the critical role of maintaining a consistent, legally sound hiring process.

00:00 Introduction to Recruiting and Hiring Practices

00:38 Understanding the Need for a Hiring Process

01:27 Creating Accurate Job Descriptions

02:06 Posting and Interviewing Candidates

02:33 Legal Considerations in Hiring

02:58 Ensuring a Fair and Consistent Process

04:39 Key Takeaways and Conclusion

In this episode of OK at Work, attorneys Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger from Offit Kurman discuss the nuances of non-disparagement clauses in separation agreements. They explain the difference between disparagement and defamation and emphasize the importance of careful drafting to ensure enforceability. The conversation includes practical considerations on maintaining positive communication, protection from damaging opinions, and the necessity of a structured messaging plan when employees depart.

00:00 Introduction to Non-Disparagement

01:02 Understanding Disparagement vs. Defamation

01:51 Non-Disparagement in Separation Agreements

02:54 Practical Considerations and Internal Communication

04:25 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this week's episode of OK at Work, attorneys Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger from Offit Kurman discuss various aspects of litigation. They highlight that most litigation cases don't go to trial, benefiting both courts and taxpayers. The conversation covers critical exit points in civil litigation, such as motions to dismiss and summary judgments, which can resolve cases before reaching trial. They also touch on the role of settlements and the complexities involved in the litigation process.

00:00 Introduction to Litigation

00:15 The Lengthy Process of Litigation

00:49 Resolution Before Trial

01:18 Legal Motions: Dismissal and Summary Judgment

02:23 Challenges and Considerations in Litigation

03:40 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of OK at Work, attorneys Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger from Offit Kurman discuss the newly implemented sales tax on IT and data services in Maryland. They explore the implications for business owners in the IT sector, detailing the need for registration, tax collection, and the nuanced questions that arise from the new legislation. Understand how this 3% tax could impact pricing models, long-term contracts, and interstate business competition. Stay informed on how to navigate this significant change that was effective on July 1st.

00:00 Introduction to Maryland's New Sales Tax on IT Services

00:47 Scope and Impact of the New Tax

01:28 Implementation and Compliance Challenges

02:25 Industry Reactions and Future Considerations

03:12 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this week's episode of OK at Work, attorneys Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger break down the recently passed 'big, beautiful bill' and its implications for employers and employees regarding new tax policies on overtime wages. They discuss the tax breaks available under the FLSA, the changes in reporting requirements for W2 forms, potential challenges for employers, and how these changes might affect overtime work incentives. Tune in to find out how to manage these new regulations efficiently.

00:00 Introduction to the Big Beautiful Bill

00:28 New Tax Policies on Overtime Wages

01:31 Employer Responsibilities and Compliance

02:48 Practical Implications for Businesses

04:01 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Join attorneys Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger from Offit Kurman as they discuss the essential steps business owners need to take to prepare for selling their business. Topics include ensuring your business operations are in order, securing intellectual property, compliance with employment laws, and developing a tax strategy. Learn the importance of early preparation and detailed due diligence to position your business for a successful sale.

00:00 Introduction to Selling Your Business

00:47 Preparing Your Business for Sale

01:15 Ensuring Compliance and Efficiency

02:02 Ownership and Intellectual Property

03:19 Tax Strategies and Planning

04:01 Conclusion and Final Thoughts