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By proadAccountId-347979 February 14, 2017

 The federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) released its employment discrimination report for 2016. Overall, the commission collected $482 million for victims of discrimination in private, federal, state, and local government workplaces. Private-sector employers paid over $347.9 million to victims of employment discrimination.

 

 The top 10 employment charges, as listed by the EEOC in 2016, provide some real life lessons. Leading the way were retaliation, 42,018, about 46% of all charges filed, race 32,309 charges or 35+ %, disability with 28,073, or 31% followed by sex discrimination at 29% and age discrimination at about 23%.

 

 The lessons for private employers are obvious. Retaliation costs. Follow the law and don’t discriminate against those who suggest to you that you are not following the law. Every human resource department and most small business employers have a working knowledge of what they are permitted to do and what must not be done. It is normal to be defensive if someone points out your shortcomings in matters of employee hiring and treatment. It is stupid to be defensive to the point that you retaliate against the person bringing the problem to your attention. You are inviting two things, a claim with the EEOC, and a civil discrimination lawsuit. Additionally, the upset to your workplace could well be more costly than you can imagine, especially if the newspapers grab hold of the claim and make it front-page news.

 

 After retaliation, the causes of discrimination are obvious. In this day and age discriminating on the basis of race, disability, sex, age or national origin usually must be prima facie evidence of stupidity or evidence of a real problem. Some cases are brought from malice or anger, but fewer of them end up costing the employer money. Defense lawyers are better, the law is more settled, and the facts must be clear.

 

 EEOC has put a big push on using mediation to resolve charges voluntarily. The same report claims that the EEOC’s mediation program succeeds about 76% of the time, saving resources for employers, workers, and the agency.

 

 One area that is growing is claims of discrimination based upon lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Karen LGBT) rights. For fiscal years from 2013 through 2016, about 4,000 LGBT individuals alleged sex discrimination and EEOC recovered $10.8 million for these claimants.

 

 The 2016 claim settlements give fair warning to employers. Know the law, use common sense, and don’t let your emotions get in front of your judgment. If they do your wallet will also be a victim.

By proadAccountId-347979 January 18, 2017


 

The Federal Reserve has raised interest rates and more raises are promised, translating into higher bond prices and higher mortgage interest rates. A new President will be sworn in on January 20th, and no one knows what budget or economic plan the new President and new Congress will disgorge. Wintertime is supposedly the worst time to sell a house. Shall I even look for a house? And if I am an owner, ven think of putting my house on the market?

 

Welcome to the vagaries of the real estate market. Add to the usual seasonality issues this year’s uncertainty as to interest rates and big picture economics. What is one to do? Look to the experts? This is a way to become really confused.

 

According to the National Association of Realtors, many large US housing markets, (think, San Francisco, Chicago, New York metro areas) need tens of thousands of housing units to meet current demographic demand. At the same time, Capital Economics Property Economist Matthew Pointon frets that the Trump wall(?)  on the Mexican border would suck up labor and materials and worsen the housing ‘s already tight labor situation. Tight labor markets equal higher construction costs meaning more expensive housing at all levels.

 

HUD’s Location Affordability Index for the Greater Danbury area estimates that a family of four with a median income of $82,614 would spend about 30% of their current income to own a home with a 20% down payment, and another 18% for commutation expenses - the total ownership and work costs almost 50% of income. A renter would spend about 41% of income on the same basis. How do you interpret the numbers? Should I buy now and know that I’m spending a lot of my income for shelter? Or should I wait, and hope for price decreases over time?  Interest rates have been at historic lows and still are very low. Is it silly to think that they will decrease again?

 

Often, the answer will lie outside economics. Do I have to move for a job? Do I need more space because of growing family? Am I downsizing because of age or other living concerns? Indications are that the home ownership costs are rising. Can I out wait the market? By the way, when will I want to sell? Where will the market be then?


We are back in the usual real estate conundrum. Real estate runs in cycles. Where am I on the cycle? There is an answer for everyone. You may not like your answer, but the other guy’s probably won’t help.


Whatever you decide as buyer or seller, make sure you use a real estate agent who knows what he or she is doing. Talk to your friends, especially real estate lawyer friends, your mortgage brokers and mortgage bankers, and make your decision based upon facts and knowledge not guesses and hopes.

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End of Vacation - Prepared for Daily Life?

Vacation is over. You are buying clothes and back-to-school supplies for the kids. You bonded with the kids a bit more over vacation. Downtime for work is family up time. Great.

Now your in-box is overflowing, the phone is ringing, trips are being booked. Life gathers speed. What have you done to ensure that family life is protected - just in case? Accident, sudden sickness, spouse is incapacitated, job loss, job opportunity elsewhere. You know, LIFE. By one definition, life is what happens while you are planning it.

Do you have a will? Have you reviewed it in the last five years? Are you leaving bequests to those already deceased? Have family circumstances changed through births, deaths, divorces, etc?

Have you checked your 529 plan to see if your assumptions about costs for college and growth of assets are still in sync? Are the beneficiaries of your life insurance policies current? Have your assets grown to where a different plan is needed to protect them creditors? from Uncle Sam? Would a trust for some assets help now?

Think some, check your documents. If we can help, give us a call. Life will go on, or not.

Brought to you as a service by the AJ Mannion Law Office LLC.
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