Law Office of Ralph A. Somma

On March 31, 2021, the Ma*****na Regulation & Taxation Act (MRTA) legalized the recreational use of cannabis by adults in New York. The first legal sale of recreational cannabis took place at an dispensary in Manhattan on December 29, 2022.
How does legal cannabis effect the workplace?
Click this link to my blog post to learn more: https://sommafirm.com/2023/03/22/recreational-cannabis/

Check out my latest Workplace Legal Alert here:
https://sommafirm.com/2023/02/01/pregnant-nursing/

Managing Your Emotions After Being Laid Off

Managing Your Emotions After Being Laid Off

Managing Your Emotions After Being Laid Off It is easy to feel embarrassed, guilty, frustrated, or angry when you’ve suffered a job loss. But if you recognize that many layoffs aren’t the slightest bit personal, it can help you stay focused on the future, not the past. Surround yourself with positive people, think of the obstacles you’v...

Everything You Need to Know to Start and Grow Your Business

4 Rare Workplace Habits of Exceptionally Happy Employees | Inc.com https://www.inc.com/marcel-schwantes/4-rare-workplace-habits-of-exceptionally-happy-employees.html

Everything You Need to Know to Start and Grow Your Business Successfully start, grow, innovate, and lead your business today: Ideas, resources, advice, support, tools, strategies, real stories, and real business examples. Visit https://inc.com. Subscribe to Inc. magazine. Attend Inc. events.

Older and unappreciated: Workers over 50 face a rough time on the job

Inflation, recession huge risks for older employees near retirement

Older and unappreciated: Workers over 50 face a rough time on the job This is one of the worst times to be a worker in the twilight of a career. Only half of Americans are steadily employed throughout their 50s.

How Can Organizations Improve Workplace Equity?

How Can Organizations Improve Workplace Equity?

How Can Organizations Improve Workplace Equity? ​Many companies are enhancing their diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) initiatives. But too often, they place more emphasis on diversity and inclusion than they do on equity. A new report by the SHRM Research Institute and Work Equity, an initiative o

NYC Bill Would Ban Firing Most Workers Without a Good Reason - The Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/on-small-business/nyc-bill-would-ban-firing-most-workers-without-a-good-reason/2022/12/07/ae9249d6-7639-11ed-a199-927b334b939f_story.html

When a Workplace Affair Becomes Public

NYTimes: When a Workplace Affair Becomes Public When a Workplace Affair Becomes Public

When a Workplace Affair Becomes Public It can be complicated to navigate, particularly if it involves people in the public eye.

8 Warning Signs That Your Workplace Is Becoming Toxic

8 Warning Signs That Your Workplace Is Becoming Toxic

8 Warning Signs That Your Workplace Is Becoming Toxic Young Entrepreneur Council members explain how to identify and address the signs of a toxic workplace in order to prevent the rise of a negative company culture.

A reality check on the American workforce: Time to invest in people with disabilities

American job market needs employees with disabilities to thrive

A reality check on the American workforce: Time to invest in people with disabilities As many as 25% of job seekers and employees have disabilities, with that number potentially surging as millions cope with long COVID-19.

Ma*****na in the Workplace

Ma*****na in the Workplace

Ma*****na in the Workplace With the president recently pardoning federal ma*****na-related misdemeanors, HR professionals need to follow not only the changes in laws and regulations, but also the changing attitudes toward recreational and medical ma*****na use. Understanding these

Pay transparency law takes effect in NYC; may hit companies outside the city

Pay transparency law takes effect in NYC; may hit companies outside the city - Newsday

Pay transparency law takes effect in NYC; may hit companies outside the city The law, which requires businesses to post salary ranges on all job listings, could apply to firms with just one worker performing their duties in one of the five boroughs.

How to Handle Conflict in the Workplace

How to Handle Conflict in the Workplace | Careers | U.S. News

How to Handle Conflict in the Workplace Learn and implement the five C's of workplace conflict resolution.

This is the 4-step process for implementing a successful flextime policy in the workplace

How to introduce flexibility in the workplace successfully

This is the 4-step process for implementing a successful flextime policy in the workplace Many employees see flexibility as a necessity, rather than a perk.

A New Framework for Mental Health in the Workplace

A New Framework for Mental Health in the Workplace | Psychology Today

A New Framework for Mental Health in the Workplace Recently, the U.S. surgeon general recommended workplace wellness strategies.

Women aren’t going back to the old workplace

Women aren’t going back to the old workplace - POLITICO

Women aren’t going back to the old workplace By signing up you agree to allow POLITICO to collect your user information and use it to better recommend content to you, send you email newsletters or updates from POLITICO, and share insights based on aggregated user information. You further agree to our privacy policy and terms of service. You ca...

More U.S. companies charging employees for job training if they quit

More U.S. companies charging employees for job training if they quit | Reuters

More U.S. companies charging employees for job training if they quit When a Washington state beauty salon charged Simran Bal $1,900 for training after she quit, she was shocked.

Battle Over Wage Rules for Tipped Workers Is Heating Up

Battle Over Wage Rules for Tipped Workers Is Heating Up

Battle Over Wage Rules for Tipped Workers Is Heating Up A system counting tips toward the minimum wage is being fought in many places. Critics say it’s often abused. Defenders say workers benefit overall.

More Businesses Want to Hire People With Criminal Records Amid Tight Job Market

More Businesses Want to Hire People With Criminal Records Amid Tight Job Market - WSJ

More Businesses Want to Hire People With Criminal Records Amid Tight Job Market Companies including banks, pharmacy chains and railroads have recognized so-called second-chance hiring can help them find more workers.

Research: Men Are Worse Allies Than They Think

Research: Men Are Worse Allies Than They Think

Research: Men Are Worse Allies Than They Think A new study reveals a persistent gap between men and women in their perceptions of how men are truly showing up — or not — in the workplace. This gendered disparity was magnified when survey participants were asked about many of the salient micro-behaviors aligned with allyship for gender equity...

Advice | Some remote workers are doing two jobs at once. They say it’s fair.

Holding multiple full-time jobs is the new hack to financial independence - The Washington Post

Advice | Some remote workers are doing two jobs at once. They say it’s fair. Workers in the overemployment movement secretly hold multiple full-time jobs. Here's why they say it's fair.

The labor movement isn’t just about wages anymore, says U.S. Labor Secretary

US Labor Sec. Martin Walsh: Union organizing has evolved

The labor movement isn’t just about wages anymore, says U.S. Labor Secretary In a stark change, union leaders aren’t primarily interested in wages, but in better working conditions.

New York’s Landmark AI Bias Law Prompts Uncertainty

New York’s Landmark AI Bias Law Prompts Uncertainty - WSJ

New York’s Landmark AI Bias Law Prompts Uncertainty Businesses and their service providers are grappling with how to comply with New York City’s mandate for audits of artificial intelligence systems used in hiring.

8 Causes Of Miscommunication In Your Workplace—And How To Fix Them

8 Causes Of Miscommunication In Your Workplace—And How To Fix Them

8 Causes Of Miscommunication In Your Workplace—And How To Fix Them Pinpointing what makes a workplace’s communication “bad” allows you to correct communication issues that reduce efficiency, increase stress, and cost money.

Employers Risk Liability if Customers Discriminate in Workplaces

Employers Risk Liability if Customers Discriminate in Workplaces

Employers Risk Liability if Customers Discriminate in Workplaces Employers may lean toward taking a hands-off approach when customers or other third parties exhibit discriminatory behavior in a workplace, but the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission takes a dim view of laissez-faire attitudes and will sue.

Workers in New York who have to stand for hours may soon be entitled to take a seat

New York Workers Who Stand for Hours May Soon Get to Take a Seat

Workers in New York who have to stand for hours may soon be entitled to take a seat The Standing Is Tiring (SIT) Act introduced to the New York state senate may require employers to provide seating for workers on their feet all shift.

Quiet Quitting: New Term for an Old Problem in a Changed Workplace

Quiet Quitting: New Term for an Old Problem in a Changed Workplace

Quiet Quitting: New Term for an Old Problem in a Changed Workplace "Quiet quitting" isn't new, say HR leaders. Workers have often experienced disengagement, and that burnout is now exacerbated by the pandemic and a reevaluation of work/life balance and priorities. HR leaders say employers and managers need to reach out t

54% Of People Don't Want To Go Back to Offices After COVID - 5 Steps To Take if You're One of Them https://fairygodboss.com/articles/54-of-people-dont-want-to-go-back-to-offices-after-covid--5-steps-to-take-if-youre-one-of-them

WSJ News Exclusive | Women Are Getting to Corner Offices Faster Than Men

Women Are Getting to Corner Offices Faster Than Men - WSJ https://www.wsj.com/articles/women-who-get-to-corner-offices-get-there-faster-than-men-11661912741

WSJ News Exclusive | Women Are Getting to Corner Offices Faster Than Men Women executives are still a small portion of top management inside the biggest U.S. companies. But more are joining the ranks.

Quiet Quitting Is About Bad Bosses, Not Bad Employees

Quiet Quitting Is About Bad Bosses, Not Bad Employees https://hbr.org/2022/08/quiet-quitting-is-about-bad-bosses-not-bad-employees

Quiet Quitting Is About Bad Bosses, Not Bad Employees “Quiet quitting” is a new name for an old behavior. The authors, who have conducted 360-degree leadership assessments for decades, have regularly asked people to rate whether their “work environment is a place where people want to go the extra mile.” Their data indicates that quiet quitting ...

How to Handle Office Gossip … When It’s About You

How to Handle Office Gossip … When It’s About You https://hbr.org/2022/08/how-to-handle-office-gossip-when-its-about-you

How to Handle Office Gossip … When It’s About You Gossip comes in different forms that serve different purposes. When it’s used as an indirect way of surfacing or engaging in interpersonal conflicts, it can incite workplace drama. So what should you do if you find out a colleague has been gossiping about you? First, let the messenger of the gossi...

Don’t Let Employee Engagement Wither in a Hybrid Office

Don’t Let Employee Engagement Wither in a Hybrid Office https://hbr.org/2022/08/dont-let-employee-engagement-wither-in-a-hybrid-office

Don’t Let Employee Engagement Wither in a Hybrid Office These days, proximity is harder to come by than ever. Even employees who do go into the office may find it empty or populated by coworkers they barely know due to hoteling or hot-desk arrangements. As evidenced by employee engagement surveys, burnout, and attrition across industries, employees’ so...

Handling Narcissism in the Workplace

Handling Narcissism in the Workplace - Rolling Stone https://www.rollingstone.com/culture-council/articles/handling-narcissism-in-workplace-1392368/

Handling Narcissism in the Workplace Managing a narcissist in the workplace can be tough.

How to Answer “Why Do You Want to Work Here?”

How to Answer “Why Do You Want to Work Here?” https://hbr.org/2022/08/how-to-answer-why-do-you-want-to-work-here

How to Answer “Why Do You Want to Work Here?” Of all the interview questions job applicants prepare for, the most obvious ones sometimes get the least attention. Yes, you came ready to share your biggest flaw, your greatest strength, a moment when you shined, and a concept you learned, but what do you do with a broad but direct question like .....

Workers Have Trouble Unplugging While on PTO

Workers Have Trouble Unplugging While on PTO https://www.shrm.org/hr-today/news/hr-news/pages/workers-cant-unplug-while-on-pto.aspx

Workers Have Trouble Unplugging While on PTO U.S. employees are notorious about not taking their allotted, employer-paid vacation. Even when they do take time off, they often use some of that time to work and check e-mail.

Your boss might be reading your work messages. Here’s how to prevent that.

Your work emails and messages may not be private. Tips to protect yourself. - The Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/07/25/work-messages-emails-privacy/

Your boss might be reading your work messages. Here’s how to prevent that. Your boss may have access to your chats, messages and emails at the workplace. But there are ways to protect yourself.