Archives

November 30, 2016 - Next business mandate will be employee scheduling

By Oregon NFIB, The next big issue for small business is on the table, and it’s called “flexible scheduling.” “It’s going to be a big deal,” Sen. Michael Dembrow (D-Portland) said in The Oregonian. “But we really think that the time to tackle this is now.” The flexible scheduling legislation […]


November 29, 2016 - Signs of Oregon’s big Gig economy

By Oregon Small Business Foundation, By now, millions of Americans have hitched a ride on Uber, stayed overnight in an Airbnb, funded a Kickstarter project, or hired someone on TaskRabbit to do the odd job. Last New Year’s Eve, more than 20,000 Portlanders used Uber’s ridesharing service. By now, millions […]


November 28, 2016 - Seattle #1, PDX 6th in nation for new high rises

By Oregon Small Business Foundation, If you want to know how the construction business is doing in your city – just look up. Look for the construction cranes. This year Seattle topped the list nationwide, with 58 construction cranes, 18 more than Los Angeles, more than New York and San […]


November 23, 2016 - Oregon job growth nearly double U.S. average!

Oregon Continues Strong Job Growth in October By Oregon Employment Department Oregon added 6,100 nonfarm payroll jobs in October, continuing a trend of strong job growth. Since October 2015, Oregon added 55,400 jobs, which was a gain of 3.1 percent. This growth rate is nearly double the national job growth […]


November 22, 2016 - When an employee demands extended leave

Bullard Law, Portland law firm In the (fictional) mailbag today The Bullard Edge fields a question from Wendy, the HR Director at Mid-Town Medical Center. Wendy asks about an employee who is demanding an extended medical leave (seven months have been taken already). Although the employee is not cooperating, she […]


November 21, 2016 - Oregon mixed economic news

University of Oregon Economic Indexes By Tim Duy Oregon Economic Forum University of  Oregon Oregon Statewide Economic Indicators: The Oregon economy continues to grow with further evidence that the pace of activity is moderating as the expansion matures. Highlights of this month’s report include: The Oregon measure of economic activity […]


November 18, 2016 - Can employees request Post-Election Medical Leave?

Bullard Law, Portland law firm By Michael G. McClory “Post-Election Leave” Under OFLA/FMLA? By Michael G. McClory Today’s (fictional) mailbag question comes from Chuck, who is the HR Director at Mid-Town Tires. He asks about an employee who has been out sick since last week’s election. Chuck believes the employee […]


November 17, 2016 - WSJ on Portland’s CEO tax

Wall Street Journal Editorial, November 16, 2016 Portland, Oregon is famous for its modish devotion to organic foods and craft beers. Now the city is embracing a new trend that could leave local workers with a very bitter aftertaste. It’s a fresh tax on business and it could be coming […]


November 16, 2016 - Wyden seeks answers on government hacks

U.S. Senator Ron Wyden Oregon, Press Release A bipartisan coalition of Senate and House lawmakers  asked Attorney General Loretta Lynch to provide Congress with more information about a proposed expansion of government hacking and surveillance powers. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Judiciary Committee member Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, and Ranking Member […]


November 15, 2016 - NIKE’s $720 self-lacing shoe

NIKE’s $720 self-lacing shoe NIKE has rolled out to the public its self-lacing shoe called Nike HyperAdapt 1.0.   The cost for each pair will sell for $720. It plans to be on shelves for the holiday season this December 1st. Nike CEO Mark Parker praised the shoe as a big […]