Guest Columns

Pitfalls Of Independent Contractor Agreements

TRAVERSE CITY - In few other industries has the independent contractor arrangement flourished as it has in the tech sector. Programmers and network consultants hold themselves out as independent contractors on a work for hire basis. Employers look for workers on a project or task basis and, thus, are also motivated to look seriously at

By |2005-12-15T00:00:00-05:00December 15th, 2005|Archive, Guest Columns|

The City, the Super Bowl, the Auto Show and More!

DETROIT ? Our city gets a bad rap, but if you look at the positive attributes, Detroit has the makings to be one of the greatest large cities in America. Detroit is the host to many museums, downtown sculptures, large events, four major sports teams, and many other wonderful things that are often overlooked. Detroit

By |2005-12-08T00:00:00-05:00December 8th, 2005|Archive, Guest Columns|

Family And Medical Leave Act Clarified By Department Of Labor Opinion

DETROIT ? Administering the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is enough to give even the most patient human resources professional a migraine. Faced with new and creative requests by employees for time off, employers are looking for guidance in navigating FMLA regulations pertaining to medical certification. One potential source of help could be a

By |2005-12-05T00:00:00-05:00December 5th, 2005|Archive, Guest Columns|

Non-Compete Contract Basics: The Employer Perspective

A non-compete contract is an agreement signed by an employee or contractor where he/she agrees that they will not engage in certain employment within a certain geographic area for a certain period of time after they quit or are fired. A non-solicitation contract is an agreement signed by an employee or contractor where he/she agrees

By |2005-12-02T00:00:00-05:00December 2nd, 2005|Archive, Guest Columns|

How to Obtain Federal Support for Workforce Development Initiatives

ANN ARBOR - Workforce development is no longer just about job training programs, low-income workers, ?at-risk? populations, unskilled labor, or simple job creation. Workforce development is as much its own effort as a tool for overall economic development ? especially in the high-growth, technology industries. In 1998, with the passage of the Workforce Investment Act

By |2005-11-17T00:00:00-05:00November 17th, 2005|Archive, Guest Columns|

The New Bankruptcy Act?s Impact On Businesses

GRAND RAPIDS - The Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 became law on October 17. While most of the provisions of this new 240-page statute are directed at consumer bankruptcies, there are a number of provisions that affect businesses. One of the changes that has great potential benefit for businesses is the

By |2005-11-17T00:00:00-05:00November 17th, 2005|Archive, Guest Columns|

Michigan Securitization Plan: What Does It Mean For Technology Businesses

ANN ARBOR - For the first time since World War II, a disconnect exists between Michigan?s economy and the national economy. For more than five years, Michigan?s economy has lagged behind the national economy; plagued by budget deficits, funding woes and unemployment ? which have all become symptoms of a much larger problem: Michigan is

By |2005-11-14T00:00:00-05:00November 14th, 2005|Archive, Guest Columns|

Anti-Cyber Squatting Consumer Protection Act Update

TRAVERSE CITY - I receive a lot of calls from people and companies who are being threatened with an Anti-Cyber Squatting Consumer Protection Act claim because they registered a domain name identical or similar to a trademark held by someone else. Inevitably, I hear the words ?Network Solutions allowed me to register the domain, so

By |2005-11-09T00:00:00-05:00November 9th, 2005|Archive, Guest Columns|