News & Insights

A family business is more than just a company; it’s a legacy, or maybe it’s a retirement asset. Yet, without a thoughtful and strategic succession plan, that legacy or that retirement plan is at risk. Statistics show that many family businesses fail to survive past the second generation, some don’t even make it that far. Most often the culprit is lack of formal succession planning. The good news is that a structured approach can ensure a smooth handover, preserve family harmony, and set the b...

Many employers pay their salaried employees an annual salary amount that is paid in twenty-six biweekly installments over the course of each year, most often with payday on a Friday. But if the first Friday payday in 2026 is January 2nd, the last bi-weekly payday in 2026 will be Thursday December 31st, because Friday January 1, 2027 is a bank holiday and banks are closed. Most employers pay employees a day early if banks are closed on a Friday payday. As a result, there will be twenty-seven payd...

Employee performance management is not just about managing when problems arise, as discussed last month. Performance management also includes managing opportunities to retain employees. Employers should explore a collection of approaches to maintain a good work environment and to keep employees engaged and motivated.

Because good drivers are hard to find, every driver is worth the effort of performance management when problems arise. Employers should be sure to start at the beginning. Clear and up to date job descriptions, including essential functions and requirements, are critical to set defensible expectations. A job description which specifically notes bending and lifting requirements is your best support in defensible hiring decisions for those expected to lift, assist, or secure students on your buses....

As a school bus contractor, you’ve built a business that helps the community while supporting your family. But what is your long term future plan? Business owners are not surprised to hear that the income and value generated by a privately held business represents about 80% of the business owner’s wealth. But many business owners focus on generating business income while ignoring business value. Your business is an income generating asset, just like the vehicles in your fleet. Contractors are ...

As the end of the year approaches, there are several legal considerations and tasks that businesses should address. Here are some end-of-the-year to-do items for businesses to consider as you plan for 2026:

Everyone knows that immigration has been a top priority for the Trump Administration. Recent developments out of Washington D.C. signify a tightening of federal oversight of commercial learner’s permits (CLPs) and commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) issued to individuals domiciled outside of the United States. For employers in the transportation industry, a new interim final rule proposed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (“FMCSA”) will have an effect on employees holding a ...