Small Business Workshops

General Antitrust Law Concepts – This presentation explains the basics of what antitrust law prohibits and what it does not prohibit.  Discussed are the topics of monopolies, collusion, and competition, and the fine-line distinctions that often exist among them.

Collusion-Specific Issues – This presentation delves more deeply into what businesses can and cannot do with respect to communicating with their competitors.  This presentation includes a segment on what a business should do when a competitor contacts it soliciting an agreement on price, volume, etc.

The AGO’s Leniency Policy for Self-Reported Business and Charity Violations – This presentation provides an overview of the Office of the Ohio Attorney General’s Leniency Policy for Self-Reported Business and Charity Violations.  This policy was adopted by the Office of the Ohio Attorney General in 2013.  Under the policy, the Office of the Ohio Attorney General will not criminally prosecute a business, nor file a civil suit against the business, that reports its own violation of the antitrust, consumer, or charitable laws, so long as it is the first to report the violation and certain conditions are met.

The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) – This presentation provides an overview of the FMLA, a review of some common leave issues under the Act, and a discussion of recent court decisions. (30-60 Minutes)

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) – This presentation provides an overview of the ADA, a review of the interactive process, a discussion of common leave issues under the Act, and a discussion of recent court decisions. (30 – 60 Minutes)

Wage and Hour Laws – This presentation provides an overview of state and federal wage and hour laws and a discussion of common pitfalls for employers. (30 – 60 Minutes)

Age Discrimination – This presentation provides an overview of state and federal laws regarding age discrimination and a discussion of recent court decisions. (30 – 60 Minutes)

Business and Unemployment Compensation – What You Need to Know – This presentation provides an overview of the different types of employers and employees in the context of unemployment compensation.  Considered are domestic employers and employees, public-entity employers and employees, agricultural employers and employees, non-profit employers and employees, and individuals considered employees for purposes of unemployment compensation tax reporting.  Also discussed is the difference between an employee and an independent contractor.

Unemployment Taxes – This presentation examines the numerous facets and issues surrounding unemployment taxes.  Discussed are wages, taxable wage bases, the consequences of failing to file unemployment compensation tax reports, the consequences of failing to file unemployment compensation tax reports in a timely fashion, the consequences of failing to pay unemployment compensation taxes, the consequences of failing to pay unemployment taxes in a timely fashion, how to correct wage details and/or quarterly tax reports, where to obtain extra forms, employer registration, employer account numbers, reporting requirements, unemployment compensation tax problems, audits, the consequences of failing to file payment reports, the consequences of failing to file payment reports in a timely fashion, notices of failure to file, notices of an investigation of an unemployment claim, appealing an audit finding, fraudulent employers, contribution rates, rate notifications, experience rates, mutualized rates, new employer rates, delinquency rates, penalty rates, employer tax appeals, waivers of unemployment compensation tax forfeiture or interest, waivers of forfeiture, and, waivers of interest.

Responding to an Unemployment Compensation Claim – This presentation reviews the various components of unemployment compensation claims.  Topics examined include requests for separation information, information that the agency will need from the employer, how the agency determines if a displaced worker receives benefits, how to disagree with a benefits decision, the employer’s appeal rights for claimant benefits, timely appeals, how to file an appeal from a re-determination, and, how to file an appeal to a court of common pleas.

The Claims Process – This presentation provides an overview of the claims process with regard to an employee’s injury.  Topics discussed include the employer’s responsibilities, the role of the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC), and the roles of the BWC-assigned employer specialist and the managed care organization selected by the employer.  The presentation will also include a discussion of the appeal and adjudication process before the Industrial Commission of Ohio and an appeal to a common pleas court. (30 – 60 minutes)

Violation of Specific Safety Requirement (VSSR) – The Industrial Commission of Ohio has authority to grant an additional award if a worker’s injury was caused by faulty or defective equipment. This “damages” or penalty award can be significant. This presentation discusses VSSR awards, the BWC’s safety programs, and BWC’s discount incentives to employers. This presentation also covers the employer’s potential exposure to an intentional tort action in court. (30 – 60 minutes)

The Types of Benefits that May Impact the Employer – This presentation discusses the types of workers’ compensation benefits that can have a financial impact on the employer, such as medical costs, temporary partial/total compensation, scheduled loss awards, wage losses, permanent partial/total disability, death benefits, etc. (30 – 60 minutes)