No matter the size of the business, the employees are pivotal to the day-to-day operations. The success of a business is reliant on the employees carrying out their duties; thus, if an employee is not afforded their rights or treated properly, this could greatly disrupt the equilibrium and business operations. Employment and labor law issues It does not matter what role or position an employee has, the reality is that each employee is protected by employment and labor laws. As an employer, you are required to uphold these rights and ensure the applicable rules and regulations are followed. How ..read more

Businesses don’t always thrive despite the best intentions of those who own and operate companies. Even when someone has a history of business success or a great idea, factors outside of their control could affect an organization. Entrepreneurs and business owners sometimes reach the uncomfortable realization that their business is insolvent and about to fail. Those who have decided to end or dissolve a business organization sometimes choose to file a Chapter 7 bankruptcy as part of that process. Although bankruptcy can be a powerful tool for those trying to protect a business, it can also be ..read more

Alaska employers large and small, have many federal, state and local laws that they must make sure they comply with. Compliance with these laws, or lack thereof, can have a material impact on an organization’s day-to-day productivity. For example, one major federal law that our readers have surely heard of is the Americans with Disabilities Act, which is commonly referred to simply as the ADA. ADA and reasonable accommodations The ADA, at its heart, is intended to protect employees and potential employees from discrimination based on a physical or mental disability. The protections under the A ..read more

Alaska residents and businesses count on their insurance companies to protect them after an accident. When you file a claim, you expect your insurance company to treat you fairly and do what they are supposed to do, which is provide compensation for your losses. An insurance company who fulfills these promises is acting in good faith, but an insurance company who does not hold up their end of the deal is acting in bad faith. What is bad faith? Bad faith is a deliberate attempt by an insurance company to avoid paying you compensation for a valid claim. A main reason insurance companies may act ..read more

For employers and employees alike, issues regarding overtime are common. One question that often comes up involves whether an employee is entitled to overtime pay. The answer is not always straightforward. Mandatory overtime pay In Alaska, overtime pay is mandatory for most employees. According to state law, if an employee works more than 8 hours in a single day or more than 40 hours in a single week, they are entitled to receive overtime pay at a rate of one and one-half times their regular hourly wage. Exemptions to overtime pay However, there are exemptions to this rule. Certain employees m ..read more

In most companies, working in a supervisor or manager position carries a large amount of responsibility. As a business owner, it is important to address several topics in your training program that will help your leaders succeed. Training program content Communication skills are crucial for leaders, including active listening and the ability to participate in conflict resolution and mediation between employees. They should be trained on how to build and maintain a team, while encouraging collaboration with all parts of the organization. They will also need education about how to prioritize pro ..read more

Usually, injuries are the fault of a person, not a business. Some people cause their own injuries by engaging in reckless conduct, such as horseplay by an unsupervised swimming pool. Other times, an individual can clearly show that another person is to blame for their injuries. If a drunk driver causes a crash, for example, that impaired motorist likely has legal and financial liability for any losses reported by other people involved in the incident. However, in certain scenarios, someone injured in a car crash or premises liability incident might blame a business rather than an individual fo ..read more

For business proprietors in Anchorage, Alaska, grappling with financial challenges induced by economic downturns or other factors, salvaging a business from closure or creditor takeover might seem daunting. A potential avenue to explore in such scenarios is filing for bankruptcy. Bankruptcy, generally Bankruptcy, a legal process, offers relief for businesses burdened with insurmountable debt. It can usher in a fresh start by either eliminating or reducing debts or formulating a manageable repayment plan. Additionally, bankruptcy acts as a shield against asset seizures, creditor takeovers and l ..read more

In the professional landscape of our state, noncompete agreements serve as a critical tool for employers seeking to safeguard trade secrets, customer relationships and goodwill. However, the enforceability of these agreements is not a straightforward matter in the eyes of Alaska courts. While the courts generally disfavor such agreements due to potential trade restraints and hardship on former employees, they are willing to enforce them if deemed reasonable and necessary to protect legitimate business interests. Elements of reasonable noncompete agreements Determining the reasonableness of a n ..read more

Pregnant workers are protected from certain types of discrimination in the workplace. For example, state and federal laws prohibit employers from firing or refusing to hire workers simply because they are pregnant. A new law that went into effect last summer strengthened these protections by also requiring employers to provide reasonable accommodations for pregnant or lactating employees. The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, which went into effect June 27, 2023, applies to public and private employers with 15 or more employees. These employers must provide reaso ..read more