Perspectives

In honor of Small Business Month, WFJ is highlighting the legal guidance that helps small businesses thrive by sitting down with employment and labor law attorney, Bridget Finn. Known for her collaborative, solutions-oriented style, Bridget works closely with small business owners to help them navigate the complex world of employment law with clarity and confidence. In this interview, she shares her perspective on the value of early legal planning, the most common compliance missteps she sees, and practical steps business owners can take—even without an in-house HR team—to build strong, compliant workplaces.

What’s your favorite part about working with small business clients?

What I value most about working with small business clients is having the opportunity to work with leaders on a variety of issues from start to finish and offering solutions along the way.

If you could give one piece of legal advice to someone starting a new business, what would it be?

I would advise new business owners to recognize the importance of establishing policies early on, as they provide a solid foundation for how operations should be managed. Consulting with professional legal experts at the outset of a business venture will yield significant benefits in the long term as you are getting ahead of any possible legal and employment issues that might come up down the line.

What are some of the most common mistakes you see small businesses make when it comes to employment law?

A common mistake many small businesses make is failing to maintain proper records or documentation of policies, procedures, and incidents. It’s crucial to document these details so that you have a reliable reference to look to when you are busy managing the day-to-day business operations.

What’s one thing business owners often overlook in their employee handbooks or workplace policies?

One key aspect employers often overlook in their employee handbooks or policies is ensuring they are regularly updated to reflect changes in local, state and federal laws, as legal requirements are constantly evolving. The handbook should be viewed as an evolving document that should be adapted as time goes on.

How can small businesses stay compliant with employment laws without having a full in-house HR team?

Small businesses should take full advantage of the resources offered by the Compliance Center, including legal advice, policy and handbook drafting, as well as many other resources that provide summaries and updates on legal developments.

What’s one of your favorite small businesses?

One of my favorite small businesses is FRGMNT Coffee.

Starting January 1, 2025, New York will become the first state in the coutnry to offer Paid Prenatal Leave, setting a precedent for employment legislation nationwide. This groundbreaking law grants employees 20 hours of paid leave for healthcare services related to pregnancy. These services include physical examinations, medical procedures, monitoring, testing, and discussions with healthcare providers about pregnancy.

Key Details Employers Need to Know:

• Coverage for all Private Employers: Regardless of size, all private employers in New York must comply with this law. Whether your business employs one person or 1,000, Paid Prenatal Leave is mandatory.
• Immediate Eligibility: Employees are entiltled to Paid Prenatal Leave from the moment they are hired, eliminating any waiting periods for eligibility.
• Additional to Sick Leave: Paid Prenatal Leave is in addition to New York’s existing Sick Leave Requirements. Employees are entiltled to 40 or 56 hours of Sick Leave (depending on employer size) plus an additional 20 hours specifically for prenatal care.

What This Means for Employers

This new requirement adds to the already complex framework of employment laws in New York. Employers must adjust their policies, track Paid Prenatal Leave seperately from other leave types, and ensure they remain compliant to avoied potential penalties. The law’s universal application, even for small businesses, means no employer is exempt from these changes.

Partner with WFJ to Stay Ahead

Navigating employment legislation can be challenging, especially with New York setting new precendents.. WFJ’s Compliance Center is here to help. Our team of experienced attorneys and SHRM-certified professionals can guide you in updating your policies, answering your questions, and ensuring compliance with the Paid Prenatal Leave law and other evolving regulations.

Don’t wait until you’re impacted by a new law-contact WFJ today to partner with a legal team dedicated to keeping your business compliant and protected in the face of ever-changing employment laws. 

These tips are from a LegalShield blog-previously posted on 11.21.2022.

In anticipation of flight delays, cancellations, and all the challenges that go with holiday travel, 19% of respondents in a recent survey are feeling “extremely” stressed. This is understandable as those who traveled during the previous holiday season experienced the following:

• 62% had a delayed flight
• 34% reported a flight cancellation
• 34% were on an overbooked flight
• 29% missed a connecting flight due to a delay
• 26% lost baggage
• More than half (53%) were able to make it to their destination but arrived late
• 78% said it took as long as five hours to resolve the flight issue

Despite all the challenges they face, one-third of the survey respondents still do not know their legal rights from the airlines when they experience travel issues. Knowing your legal rights when traveling can make all the difference in terms of saving time and reducing stress. 38% said their stress level would improve if they had a dedicated advocate that could assist in case of flight disruptions.

LegalShield offers dedicated, affordable advocates who can provide legal assistance during travel. Once you experience a flight disruption, LegalShield shares four things to remember this holiday season:

1. Stay calm. It’s easy to be flustered or frustrated when experiencing a delayed or canceled flight. Keep up to date on information from the airline, as they should provide constant communication with travelers and provide alternative transportation options.
2. Keep track of the details. Take screenshots of app/SMS communications, photos of boarding passes and other helpful information. Track airline policies so there is a record of the experience and record waiting time.
3. Consider not accepting vouchers. Before accepting a voucher, understand the rules and ask questions. In some instances, accepting a voucher will disqualify the traveler from receiving monetary compensation for the disruption.
4. Talk to a lawyer about your travel rights. A lawyer is a dedicated advocate to help a traveler understand travel laws and rights. Through LegalShield, a member can text or call in the mobile app.

“Although a fun and festive time of the year, the holidays can be very stressful for those coordinating travel arrangements. It’s a financial and time investment and oftentimes, there are flight challenges out of our control,” said Keri Norris, Chief Legal Officer at LegalShield. “LegalShield exists to help people navigate these issues and ensure they are legally equipped to handle anything.”

This LegalShield study was conducted on October 8, 2022. LegalShield surveyed 812 adults, 18 and older, who live in the United States. The sample was balanced by age and race, among other demographic variables, according to the U.S. Census.