Blog Posts: General Business Compliance
New Rule Restricts Commercial Drivers' Mobile Phone Use
Organizations that employ truckers, bus drivers and other commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers should be familiar with the requirements of a final rule that prohibits them from driving while using hand-held cell phones. The rule prohibits CMV drivers from holding a mobile phone while operating a vehicle, including while a vehicle is idling in traffic or at a traffic signal. A prohibited mobile phone is one that requires the driver to use "at least one hand to hold" the phone to make a voice call. Hands-free mobile devices are not banned under the rule.
Disparaging Remarks about Employers on Facebook May be Legally Protected
Imagine a situation where an employee is transferred to another department because of lack of work. The employee, furious about the move, posts a curse-laden rant about the company on her Facebook page, and some of her coworkers gleefully respond in kind in comments to the Facebook post, bad-mouthing the employer and calling for a class-action suit. The company has a policy that explicitly prohibits employees from making disparaging comments in any media. Does the company have the legal right to fire the worker for violating its policy?
First Circuit Opinion Illustrates Need for Ethics and Compliance Training
The First Circuit Court of Appeals recently clarified that the protections afforded to "whistleblowers" by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act don't apply to whistleblowers working for contractors of public companies.
Who Owns Your Company's Social Media Accounts?
Social media accounts have become much more than just a place for people to tell their friends what they ate for lunch. There's no doubt that social media accounts have become valuable tools for businesses to attract, retain and influence customers. But just how valuable are they? And who owns the accounts when they're used for business?
A Social Media Policy Can Reduce Enterprise Risk
New media comes with new risk. Eight years after the launch of Facebook, it is clear that an employer can be at risk because of its employees' activities on social networking websites. Social media can blur the line between personal and professional behavior. An organization can reduce the risk of employer liability by establishing a social media policy for its employees.
Online Marketing Compliance: Rules of the Internet Highway
Tropicana is among the latest companies to face a lawsuit alleging deceptive advertising and violations of U.S. consumer-fraud laws. The lawsuit alleges that rather than being "100% pure and natural," as Tropicana claims, its orange juice is subject to extensive processing, including the addition of aromas and flavors – and that these claims, made on the company's website and juice cartons, are deceptive advertising.
Bad Business Etiquette Can Cost You Business
Every word spoken on the phone, every e-mail sent and every meeting attended reflects on you and your company. When the employees involved in these interactions lack business -etiquette skills, they may result in lost leads and cold deals. While often overlooked, proper business etiquette is vital to the success of your company.
Social Media Training Helps Companies Manage Risk
Companies are learning that there are many valuable business uses of social media. They're also learning that improper use of these media can pose significant business risks. While networking applications such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and blogs are gaining rapid acceptance as marketing tools, they're still new enough that employees don't always understand what is expected of them, and employers don't always know how to set boundaries. Training your employees on the responsible use of social media can help prevent some of the common missteps that can damage your company's reputation and help reduce the risk of litigation.
Trademark Infringement: Is Your Brand at Risk?
If your company is found liable for trademark infringement, it can cost you more than your profits; it can cost you your brand.OFCCP Proposes Substantive Changes to Prevent Workplace Discrimination
The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) has proposed significant changes to federal rules designed to protect individuals with disabilities from workplace discrimination
