News & Insights

The 2025-2026 school year is already half-way over, and for many contractors this means peak sports and activities season is only right around the corner. As contractors know, there is plenty of extra work to go around during this time of year, and many drivers jump at the opportunity to pick up extra trips. Although it is great to have employees eager to take on additional work, transportation contractors should be mindful of federal hours of service requirements, and ensure that their drivers ...

Once again, marijuana is in the spotlight. On December 18, 2025, President Trump signed Executive Order 14370 on expanding medical marijuana and cannabidiol (CBD) research, with the goal of rescheduling marijuana from a Schedule I drug to a Schedule III drug. Some may recall that the Biden Administration began taking similar steps in 2024. Continue reading for a brief discussion on the recent history of marijuana reclassification, what Executive Order 14370 accomplishes, and what considerations ...

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.

It is no question that many employers are facing an aging workforce. In fact, according to a recent survey by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of workers aged 65 or older has increased by 117% within the last 20 years. As many employers know, the pandemic was a catalyst that accelerated employee retirement over the last few years – requiring many employers to scramble for qualified applicants to replace retired employees. Libraries should be mindful of the Age Discrimina...

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....