News

California Supreme Court Rules Employers May Not Round Time for Employees’ Meal Periods

By EsqSocial Corporation 11/05/21

In a recent wage and hour class action, the California Supreme Court ruled that employers may use timekeeping policies that round time punches for calculating time worked, but employers may not use timekeeping policies that round punches for meal periods.

The Trump-era Independent Contractor Rule is Officially Out

By EsqSocial Corporation 11/05/21

Last week, the Trump-era independent contractor classification rule was officially eradicated by the U.S. Department of Labor, (“DOL”) due to its apparent inconsistency with the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”).

Philadelphia Zoning, Land Use, and Construction Update

By EsqSocial Corporation 11/05/21

The Ballard Spahr Zoning and Land Use Team is continuing to monitor all aspects of the Philadelphia land use approval process, including the issuance of zoning and building permits, regulation of construction work, and zoning and land-use related legislation in City Council.

Small Business Administration’s $28.6 Billion Restaurant Revitalization Fund

By EsqSocial Corporation 11/05/21

Qualifying restaurants, bars, and related small businesses that serve food or drink are eligible to receive up to $10 million in grant funding under the $28.6 billion Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF). The U.S.

DOJ Announces Resolution Of First-Ever Voluntary Self-Disclosure Related To Export Control And Sanctions Violations

By EsqSocial Corporation 11/05/21

On April 29, 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice’s National Security Division and the U.S.

Recent GAO Decision Demonstrates The Utility Of Pre-Award Protests

By EsqSocial Corporation 11/05/21

In a time of uncertain federal budgets and an increasingly crowded marketplace, contractors of all sizes are on the lookout for ways to enhance their chances of winning federal business opportunities.

An Employer's Guide To The New York HERO Act

By EsqSocial Corporation 11/05/21

Last week Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) signed the New York Health and Essential Rights (HERO) Act into law. The HERO Act is intended to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other airborne diseases in the workplace.

Without Much Ado, Cal OSHA Updates Guidance Regarding Vaccinated Individuals

By EsqSocial Corporation 11/05/21

As the federal government and state of California adjusted their COVID-19 guidance for vaccinated individuals, Cal OSHA remained silent on how vaccination affected the requirements under its COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS).

Patentability Versus Freedom-To-Operate

By EsqSocial Corporation 11/05/21

If you do not know the difference between patentability and freedom-to-operate (FTO), you are not alone. Most often people mistakenly believe that a patent gives them the right to make, use, and sell an invention. Not so.

[Audio] Are You a Foreign Agent? [More with McGlinchey, Ep. 21

By EsqSocial Corporation 11/05/21

The Maria Butina case cast a spotlight on once-obscure laws known as 18 USC Section 951, and the Foreign Agent Registration Act, or FARA. The government has revived these laws to target political actors, foreign propagandists, or influencers acting here in the United States without prior notice.

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