Law Offices of Gary E. Ireland

I join the NAACP and New York State in recognizing and honoring Juneteenth.

The afternoon of events will commemorate the ending of slavery in the United States with music, moments, and discussions around the growing awareness of racial disparities, mobilization, and bold actions necessary to further the fight for social justice and equal opportunity throughout the nation

https://naacp.org/latest/naacp-presents-juneteenth-black-family-reunion-virtual-town-hall/

NAACP | NAACP Presents Juneteenth Black Family Reunion and Virtual Town Hall The NAACP, in conjunction with REVOLT, will host a special virtual Juneteenth Black Family Reunion on Friday, June 19th at 4 PM ET/ 1 PM PT. Learn more.

I join the NAACP and New York State in recognizing Juneteenth.

The afternoon of events will commemorate the ending of slavery in the United States with music, moments, and discussions around the growing awareness of racial disparities, mobilization, and bold actions necessary to further the fight for social justice and equal opportunity throughout the nation

https://naacp.org/latest/naacp-presents-juneteenth-black-family-reunion-virtual-town-hall/

NAACP | NAACP Presents Juneteenth Black Family Reunion and Virtual Town Hall The NAACP, in conjunction with REVOLT, will host a special virtual Juneteenth Black Family Reunion on Friday, June 19th at 4 PM ET/ 1 PM PT. Learn more.

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/supreme-court/supreme-court-rules-trump-cannot-end-daca-big-win-dreamer-n1115116

Supreme Court blocks Trump from ending DACA in big win for 'Dreamers' Chief Justice John Roberts was the swing vote in the 5-4 decision, which deals a big legal defeat to President Donald Trump on the issue of immigration.

Opinion | Gay Rights Are Civil Rights The Supreme Court says you can’t be fired for being gay or transgender.

Historic! Justice Neil Gorsuch, argues, "An employer who fires an individual for being homos*xual or transgender fires that person for traits or actions it would not have questioned in members of a different s*x. S*x plays a necessary and undisguisable role in the decision, exactly what Title VII forbids."

Gay Rights Ruling Pushes Workplace Dynamic Already in Motion The Supreme Court decision gives plaintiffs leverage, but companies large and small are still expected to face legal cases over their policies.

Personal Cybersecurity Checklist: Ways to Protect Yourself

Wondering what your organization can do to combat racism? Here are some strategies. What are your best ideas?
https://www.theemployerhandbook.com/george-floyd-and-five-resources-that-employers-can-leverage-now-take-to-combat-racism/

George Floyd and six resources that employers can use now to combat racism To be quite honest with you, I'm somewhat bewildered.

Judge dismisses US women's national soccer team's equal pay claims Molly Levinson, a spokeswoman for the players, said they will appeal the decision.

Work Tips On What Your Employer Can And Can’t Make You Do
https://www-wsj-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.wsj.com/amp/articles/going-back-to-work-tips-on-what-your-boss-canand-cantmake-you-do-11587682455

Going Back to Work: Tips on What Your Boss Can—and Can’t—Make You Do As some states begin reopening for business, we answer your questions about worker safety and protections.

Gary Ireland Employment Attorney Gary Ireland Attorney Profile [email protected] Gary Ireland is an experienced litigator who solves problems for clients through alternative dispute resolu...

In these uncertain times employees must plan their future. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-04-15/nyc-may-lose-475-000-jobs-and-10-billion-in-taxes-report-says

NYC May Lose 475,000 Jobs and $10 Billion in Taxes, Budget Office Says New York City may lose a half-million jobs and run about $10 billion short on tax revenue through mid-2021 because of the coronavirus outbreak, the city’s Independent Budget Office estimated.

Do you know employees who feel their jobs are threatened?

Gary Ireland speaks to David Shriner-Cahn on Smashing the Plateau about making yourself essential to your employer during a challenging economy.

https://www.dropbox.com/preview/Gary%20Ireland/Is%20Your%20Employment%20in%20Jeopardy.mp4?role=personal

https://medium.com/project-n95/project-n95-is-here-to-help-state-and-local-governments-address-the-ppe-shortage-8ac2cc1318d9

Project N95 is Here to Help State and Local Governments Address the PPE Shortage Currently, state and local governments are competing against each other, the federal government, health systems, and every other country…

Please join me LIVE to discuss how to remain vital as an employee during these challenging economic times on Smashing The Plateau, with our outstanding host David Shriner-Cahn - April 7, 2020, at 11am EST. Register below.


https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_GCkYm4r0TES026_BScETcg

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Is Your Employment in Jeopardy?. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar. Are you in finance, banking, media, technology or higher education - feeling stressed about the current crisis - and worried about your continued employment? I’m hosting a webinar with employment attorney, Gary Ireland. Gary has represented hundreds of employees in transition, through alternative ...

I just received the below information helpful to small business from my friend and colleague from TD Bank, Sylvia P. Mitchell.

Attached is the information about the program that will be available to Small Businesses.

The process for applying isn't set up yet. We are expecting to go live on April 4th, and we are working very closely with the SBA Department to make sure we are in compliance with their requirements. In the interim, please familiarize yourself with the details of the program, and the information needed to apply.

The SBA has been given 30 days to provide guidance on the forgiveness.

The Paycheck Protection Program is part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. This is a nearly $350-billion program intended to provide American small businesses with eight weeks of cash-flow assistance through 100 percent federally guaranteed loans.
Program highlights
• There is no cost to apply.
• The funding is meant to help retain workers, maintain payroll, and cover rent/mortgage/utility expenses.
• The loan covers expenses dating back to February 15, to June 30 2020
• The loan can be forgiven and essentially turn into a non-taxable grant.

Do I qualify for the program?
Likely yes! This program is more extensive than the SBA disaster loan. Small businesses, sole proprietorships, independent contractors, and self-employed individuals can all qualify.
• Sole proprietorships will need to submit schedules from their tax return filed (or to be filed) showing income and expenses from the sole proprietorship.
• Independent contractors will need to submit Form 1099-MISC.
• Self-employed individuals will need to submit payroll tax filings reported to the Internal Revenue Service.

How does this differ from the SBA disaster loan?
• No personal or business collateral is required. The SBA disaster loan may require collateral for loan amounts over $25,000.
• It’s ok if you also have access to credit elsewhere. To receive a SBA disaster loan you generally need to have no other source of credit.
• The funding covers a more restrictive set of purposes (details below). The SBA disaster loan can cover most operating expenses.
• Your loan can be forgiven if you follow the terms. The SBA disaster loan requires repayment.

How is this similar to the SBA disaster loan?
• You need to demonstrate your business was economically affected by COVID-19.
• It’s free to apply.
• Your loan is long-term (maximum 10 years) and low-interest (maximum 4%).
• You have an extended deferment period (6-12 months, depending on your lender) before you begin repayment.
• There is no prepayment penalty.

What can I use the funds for?
You must acknowledge that the funds will be used to retain workers and maintain payroll or make mortgage payments, lease payments, and utility payments. Funds you use for other purposes will not be eligible for forgiveness.
The funds can be used for:
• Payroll and commission payments
• Group health care benefits/insurance premiums;
• Mortgage, rent, and lease payments
• Utilities
• Interest on any other debt obligations that were incurred before the covered period.

How much funding can I receive?
The SBA will ask you to provide documentation on your business’s payroll, mortgage, rent, and utility payments over the previous 12-month period. They will calculate the monthly average cost of those expenses. The maximum amount they can offer is 2.5 times that monthly average cost, but no more than $10 million.
If you are a seasonal employer, the monthly average cost will be calculated differently. The SBA will use a 12-week period beginning either February 15, 2019 or March 1, 2019, and ending June 30, 2019.
If your business did not exist before June 30, 2019, the SBA will look at your costs in January and February 2020.
Note that if you receive a loan under the Paycheck Protection Program, you may no longer be eligible for an EIDL SBA loan for the same purpose of covering payroll
How can I get my loan forgiven?
In the 8 weeks following your loan signing date, all expenses related to the following can be forgiven:

• Payroll—salary, wage, vacation, parental, family, medical, or sick leave, health benefits
• Mortgage interest—as long as the mortgage was signed before February 15, 2020
• Rent—as long as the lease agreement was in effect before February 15, 2020
• Utilities—as long as service began before February 15, 2020

When submitting your application for loan forgiveness, you must provide the following documentation (no exceptions):
• (1) documentation verifying the number of full-time equivalent employees on payroll and pay rates for the periods described in subsection (d), including: o (A) payroll tax filings reported to the IRS
o State income, payroll, and unemployment insurance filings

• (2) documentation to prove your mortgage, lease, or utility payments o cancelled checks
o payment receipts
o account statements

• (3) a certification from a representative of the eligible recipient authorized to make such certifications that: o (A) the documentation presented is true and correct; and
(B) the amount for which forgiveness is requested was used to retain employees, make interest payments on a covered mortgage obligation, make payments on a covered rent obligation, or make covered utility payments; and

• (4) any other documentation the Administrator determines necessary.

The lender must make a decision within 60 days of your forgiveness application submission.
What are the conditions for loan forgiveness?
The purpose of the Paycheck Protection Program is to, well, protect paychecks. You must commit to maintaining an average monthly number of full-time equivalent employees equal or above the average monthly number of full-time equivalent employees during the previous 1-year period.
The amount that can be forgiven will be reduced…

• In proportion to any reduction in the number of employees retained.
• If any wages were reduced by more than 25%.

If you rehire employees that were previously laid off at the beginning of the period, or restore any decreases in wage or salary that were made at the beginning of the period, you will not be penalized for having a reduction in employees or wages, as long as you do this by June 30, 2020.
Note: These guidelines are based on the official 880-page bill. The SBA has been given 30 days to issue official guidance regarding loan forgiveness.

I will get in touch with you as soon as we go live and provide with the links to the digital application.

Thank you,

Sylvia P. Mitchell
Store Manager
131 East 23rd Street
New York NY 10010
T: 212-473-2769
[email protected]

Workers should not have to risk their lives to deliver corporate profits!

Strikes at Instacart and Amazon Over Coronavirus Health Concerns

The two companies are the latest targets of labor action by groups fearing virus exposure on the job.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/30/business/economy/coronavirus-instacart-amazon.html?smid=em-share

Strikes at Instacart and Amazon Over Coronavirus Health Concerns The two companies are the latest targets of labor action by groups fearing virus exposure on the job.

https://www-forbes-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.forbes.com/sites/ruthumoh/2020/03/28/goldman-sachs-turns-its-sights-to-black-and-latinx-founders-with-new-entrepreneurship-program/amp/

Goldman Sachs Turns Its Sights On Black And Latinx Founders With New Entrepreneurship Program The financial firm's inaugural black and Latinx entrepreneur cohort is part of its $500 million commitment to invest in companies with diverse leadership.

I am looking for the latest information to help small business and employees navigate the economic crisis. Have any late developments, please email me at [email protected].
https://www.abetterbalance.org/resources/fact-sheet-new-york-states-paid-sick-leave-legislation/

FACT SHEET: New York State’s Emergency Paid Sick Leave Legislation FACT SHEET: New York State’s Emergency Paid Sick Leave Legislation

I just received this email from Pace SBDC.

The U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Loans offer up to $2 million to help small businesses and private non-profit organizations overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing as a result of the Coronavirus. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact. The interest rate is 3.75% for small businesses without credit available elsewhere, and 2.75% for non-profits, with a maximum term of 30 years, depending on the ability to repay. Click here for more info.

Check out the NYSBDC application guide for an excellent step-by-step explanation of applying through the SBA’s disaster loan portal. To apply you will need to complete and upload the below forms:

• Disaster Business Loan Application (SBA Form 5) or the Disaster Home/Sole Proprietor Loan Application (SBA Form 5C)
• Request for Tax Information Authorization (IRS Form 4506T)
• Personal Financial Statement - Disaster Programs (SBA Form 413D)
• Schedule of Liabilities Worksheet (SBA Form 2202)
• Additional Filing Requirement - Monthly Sales Figure Worksheet (SBA Form 1368)

Additionally, you should be prepared to provide:
• Personal Federal income tax returns for each principal owning 20% or more of the applicant business
• 2019 Business Tax Return (Filed) OR Your 2019 year-end Profit and Loss Statement and Balance Sheet & Most Recent (Filed) Business Tax Return
• 2020 Year to Date Profit and Loss Statement.

You can also refer to the SBA process summary or contact the SBA directly at [email protected] or (800)-659‐2955.

Please contact the Pace SBDC business advisor team at [email protected] for assistance with your application and check out the Coronavirus resources page our website for program updates.


Pace University Small Business Development Center
[email protected]
www.PaceSBDC.org

Home | Manhattan | Pace University Small Business Development Center The Pace University SBDC mission is to provide 1:1 business advisement, training & research to help small business owners & aspiring entrepreneurs launch or grow their business.

Supreme Court raises bar for racial discrimination claims in contracts The Supreme Court on Monday unanimously ruled against an African American-owned media company that alleged Comcast had racially discriminated against the network when it refused to enter into a contract for its programming.

NYC resources for small businesses during challenging times.

Assistance & Guidance for Businesses Impacted Due to Novel Coronavirus - SBS Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on March 8 that the City will provide relief for small businesses across the City seeing a reduction in revenue because of COVID-19. Businesses with fewer than 100 employees who have seen sales decreases of 25% or more will be eligible for zero interest loans of up to....

Principled leadership, healthy employees!

https://www-forbes-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.forbes.com/sites/willyakowicz/2020/03/16/at-billionaire-owned-patagonia-outdoor-clothing-chain-employees-to-be-paid-despite-store-closures-amid-coronavirus/amp/

At Billionaire-Owned Patagonia Outdoor Clothing Chain, Employees To Be Paid Despite Store Closures Amid Coronavirus The company, founded and owned by Yvon Chouinard, has closed its offices and stores across the U.S., Europe, Japan, Argentina and Chile for the next two weeks to limit the spread of novel coronavirus. But it’s continuing with its tradition of taking good care of its employees.

I thank my great friend Catherine Simon for her solid advice when working from home. With four kids and a rocking career, Catherine knows how to stay organized.

Best Practices for Working Remotely … and How to Keep it Together During a Pandemic

During this challenging time, we applaud principle based decisions of leading employers, including Microsoft. https://www.benzinga.com/news/20/03/15495517/microsoft-to-pay-workers-full-wages-regardless-of-hours-worked-during-coronavirus-outbreak

Microsoft To Pay Workers Full Wages Regardless Of Hours Worked During Coronavirus Outbreak Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT) will pay regular wages to thousands of hourly workers regardless of the time they are required to work during the novel coronavirus (...

Law Offices of Gary E. Ireland updated their business hours.

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