A contract is defined as a legally binding agreement that recognizes and governs the rights and duties of those involved, whether it be two or more parties. An agreement typically involves the exchange of goods, services, money, or the promise of doing so later on. In today’s business world, contract disputes are fairly common, regardless of the industry. When an agreement is drafted and signed, this binds the parties together for a period of time. However, when one party deviates from the terms of the agreement, this is known as a breach of contract. Employees usually have to sign a contract before starting work with a company. This can also apply to freelancers or independent contractors.

Breach of Contract

Contract disputes typically arise as a result of one party not abiding by the terms of the contract. This can occur when a person does not perform his or her obligations or fails to comply with the rules in the agreement. In some cases, the legal agreement may have left out important information that causes a dispute. In other situations, a person may falsely represent his or her qualifications for a job or project.

Another major reason for breach of contract stems from the interpretation of the terms between the parties. When two parties disagree about the meaning of their respective responsibilities, that can cause problems. If an individual does not uphold his or her obligations outlined in the contract, the other party can file a lawsuit under the claim of a breach of contract.

The global pandemic of COVID-19 is on everyone’s minds these days. Millions of confirmed cases have been reported, and tens of thousands of people have died in the United States due to complications from the virus. Health and government officials continue to monitor the situation very closely. In countries throughout the world, non-essential businesses and schools have been temporarily closed in an effort to stop the spread of coronavirus. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker issued a “stay at home” order through April 30. For those small business owners and employers who are struggling to maintain their livelihoods, there is some relief in the form of financial assistance. The Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) established the Illinois Small Business Emergency Loan Fund to provide small businesses with the opportunity to apply for loans up to $50,000 at a low-interest rate.

Who Can Apply for the Bailout Loan?

The below eligibility requirements apply to small businesses that are in Illinois but are outside the city of Chicago. Small businesses within Chicago can apply to a similar loan program. Requirements are based on employment between October 2019 and December 2019. Seasonal businesses may use an employment average between January 2019 and December 2019.

In addition, the business must:

COVID-19, or coronavirus 2019, is a respiratory illness that can spread from animal to person or person to person. The virus was first identified during an outbreak in Wuhan, China. Currently, health officials are working on a vaccine for it, but that may take up to a year before it is approved. There is no doubt the virus has had a significant impact on people’s lives since it was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). Here in Illinois, Governor Pritzker said he is filing emergency rules that will allow those who cannot work because they are sick with coronavirus to collect unemployment insurance benefits to the full extent permitted by federal law. This would mean employers are required to pay workers who go on sick leave due to coronavirus.

What Are the Symptoms of COVID-19?

It is imperative that a person who thinks they may have coronavirus seek medical attention to avoid life-threatening complications and reduce the spread of it. President Trump recently announced that he was halting air travel from Europe to the United States for 30 days. In addition, he advised citizens to stay away from large gatherings in an effort to contain the virus and avoid further cases of it.

The following upper respiratory symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure:

Several changes to Illinois laws went into effect on January 1, 2020. This legislation affected many different areas of the criminal justice system, including employment law. Employers are required to follow certain rules and uphold standards in order to maintain a good business standing. Companies are regulated by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which was passed in 1938 to improve workplace conditions. Since that time, there has been a much greater focus on sexual harassment prevention in the workplace. Signed into law by Governor J.B. Pritzker in 2019, the Workplace Transparency Act (WTA) was enacted at the first of the year and is intended to prevent workplace discrimination and harassment while providing greater protections for Illinois employees. Depending on the circumstances, some employers may need to revise certain policies, training, and reporting as they relate to their employees in order to comply with the WTA.

Details of the WTA

Upon their hiring, employees may be required to sign an employment contract that describes the terms of their employment and requires them to follow company policies. The WTA prohibits any contract or agreement that restricts an employee from reporting unlawful conduct or employment practices or testifying about alleged criminal conduct. In addition, the WTA limits the use of non-disclosure or arbitration clauses that would potentially require an employee to waive or mediate a current or future claim regarding an unlawful employment practice.

The WTA allows for confidentiality provisions in employment agreements with prospective and current employees if they comply with specific requirements. Provisions that would be considered against public policy may be included if the employer and the current or potential employee both agree to these terms in writing, and the agreement reflects “actual, knowing, and bargained-for consideration” from both parties. The agreement must also state that the employee has the right to:

Owning your own business and being your own boss can be very rewarding, regardless of the field of work. In the United States, there are certain rules and regulations that control how a company should operate, and these guidelines may be different depending on the industry. All companies that operate under the Fair Labor Standards Act are required to keep specific records for a designated period of time for covered, non-exempt employees. Essential documentation may include an employee’s contact information, salary, work hours, and job duties. Record keeping might seem like a basic task, but if it is not done properly, this can lead to significant consequences. An experienced employment law attorney can help a business owner avoid any civil or criminal actions that they could face.

Important Employee Information

For the majority of business owners, their companies are their livelihood. In many cases, the foundation of their success lies in their employees. Therefore, they must make sure to take care of their workers by following standards and procedures that govern their industry. According to the United States Department of Labor, employee payroll information that contains important documents about each employee in your company should be kept for at least three years. Good record keeping practices can help a company maintain a strong reputation, allowing for future growth. Some of the main aspects of employment records should include:

• The employee’s name, address, and Social Security number
• The employee’s dates of employment
• The employee’s regular pay rate (salary or hourly)
• The amount of wages paid
• The amount of taxes taken out of an employee’s paycheck
• The amount of overtime paid
• The employee’s job duties

Penalties for Negligent Records Management

A comprehensive records management process can help a company operate in an efficient and effective manner. Improper records management can lead to unorganized documentation, the loss of vital information, and stressed employees and employers. If company owners fail to maintain their employment records, they may face criminal charges or civil lawsuits, depending on the circumstances. Poor record keeping can also result in the following consequences: