Business, Management, Marketing, Money, Tax, Law, People

Looking Past the Headlines, the Impact of the FTC’s Ban on Non-Competes in M&A, Private Equity and Venture Capital

Last week on April 23, 2024, the FTC adopted a final rule that would effectively ban non-compete agreements in the context of employment relationships when the rule becomes effective on September 4, 2024, absent a stay or injunctive relief.  The rule would render unenforceable a broad array of employment-based non-competition agreements.  It would also require that employers provide notice to workers that certain non-competition agreements already entered into will not…

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HIPAA Privacy Rules Get a Post-Dobbs Refresh on Reproductive Health Care

Quick Hits Final privacy rules under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) set basic limitations on the use or disclosure by covered entities (such as employer health benefit plans) and their business associates of reproductive health care information. The final rules state that reproductive care is, for HIPAA purposes, presumed to be legal unless the employer health benefit plan or its business associate has “actual knowledge”…

  • Post category:Ogletree Deakins
  • Reading time:5 mins read
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Security above all else: Expanding Microsoft’s Secure Future Initiative

Last November, we launched the Secure Future Initiative (SFI) to prepare for the increasing scale and high stakes of cyberattacks. SFI brings together every part of Microsoft to advance cybersecurity protection across our company and products. Since then, the threat landscape has continued to rapidly evolve, and we have learned a lot. The recent findings by the Department of Homeland Security’s Cyber Safety Review Board (CSRB) regarding the Storm-0558 cyberattack…

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  • Reading time:10 mins read
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How Much Does Proximity Influence Startup Innovation? 20 Meters’ Worth to Be Exact

A new study of startups sharing a coworking space offers a new wrinkle in the debate over work-from-anywhere: Proximity matters, especially close proximity, to spread knowledge between disparate enterprises.“The more different the startups are, the more they’re going to benefit from being nearby,” says Harvard Business School assistant professor Maria Roche, one of the paper’s authors. And here's a surprising part: The knowledge spillovers happen most within a radius of…

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Ice shelves fracture under weight of meltwater lakes

When air temperatures in Antarctica rise and glacier ice melts, water can pool on the surface of floating ice shelves, weighing them down and causing the ice to bend. Now, for the first time in the field, researchers have shown that ice shelves don’t just buckle under the weight of meltwater lakes — they fracture.As the climate warms and melt rates in Antarctica increase, this fracturing could cause vulnerable ice…

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Securing the Software Supply Chain with LLMs

In this episode of the AI + a16z podcast, Socket founder and CEO Feross Aboukhadijeh, and a16z partner Joel de la Garza, discuss the open-source software supply chain. Feross and Joel share their thoughts and insights on topics ranging from the recent xz Utils attack to how large language models can help overcome understaffed security teams and overwhelmed developers. Despite some increasingly sophisticated attacks making headlines and compromising countless systems,…

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OSH Law Primer, Part V: Recordkeeping Requirements

The first article in this series provided a general overview of the OSH Act and OSHA; the second article examined OSHA’s rulemaking process; the third article reviewed an employer’s duty to comply with standards; and the fourth article discussed the general duty clause. This article addresses OSHA’s recordkeeping requirements. Quick Hits The OSH Act’s recordkeeping provisions require employers to “make, keep and preserve, and make available” any records OSHA may…

  • Post category:Ogletree Deakins
  • Reading time:6 mins read
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Microsoft introduces passkeys for consumer accounts

Ten years ago, Microsoft envisioned a bold future: a world free of passwords. Every year, we celebrate World Password Day by updating you on our progress toward eliminating passwords for good. Today, we’re announcing passkey support for Microsoft consumer accounts, the next step toward our vision of simple, safe access for everyone. In 2015, when we introduced Windows Hello and Windows Hello for Business as secure ways to access Windows…

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  • Reading time:10 mins read
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The Southern Circuit of Russia: New Dynamics

The uniqueness of Russia's geopolitical position lies in the fact that it is the only world power naturally focused on the four most important strategic regions of Eurasia: Western Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia and Northeast Asia. When it comes to prioritising foreign policy efforts and interests, these areas represent both a challenge and an opportunity for Russia. It’s a challenge because it requires simultaneous attention to so many…

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Fashion forward

Riya Narayan, ’26, strolled gingerly in a full-length design by Dominique Schleider, ’26, that resembled a chainmail bell. Kirsten Lees, ’27, modeled a bodysuit and shawl crafted entirely of belts. Celeste Amadon, ’26, wore a black leotard covered in spiraling metal coils, with a long, lacy veil trailing behind her. “I think of the look as ‘bride meets funeral meets cyborg space creature,’ ” Amadon said after the show. The three…

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Shedding Light on Dark Patterns – Best Practices for Online Businesses

With recent regulatory changes impacting the topic, the term “dark patterns” is garnering attention and prompting online businesses to reassess their digital strategies. In this article, we’ll explore the definition of dark patterns, examine their legal implications in the European Union (EU), and provide guidance for businesses navigating this evolving landscape. What is a ‘dark pattern’? Simply put, dark patterns are design tricks used in user interfaces to ‘trick’, ‘encourage’…

  • Post category:Logan & Partners
  • Reading time:4 mins read
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What Successful Brick-and-Mortar Retailers Get Right

From virtual snowstorms to golden locker boxes, today’s thriving stores feature experiences shoppers can’t get online. Consider five successful tactics. Rob Angell May 02, 2024 Reading Time: 9 min  Neil Webb/Ikon Images Many retailers with physical stores have felt as if they have been fighting for their lives during the past decade. A constant stream of media and industry analysis has poured cold water on the retail channel, documenting how…

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USCIS Announces Receipt Notice Delays From Lockbox Locations

Quick Hits Beginning April 1, 2024, USCIS service centers stopped accepting paper-filed I-129 petitions requesting H-1B and H-1B1 classification, instead requiring petitioners to file at designated lockbox facilities. As a result, the filing volume at USCIS lockboxes has increased, and USCIS has now confirmed that it is experiencing delays in issuing receipt notices. Employers may wish to consider these delays when preparing time-sensitive filings that require a receipt notice for…

  • Post category:Ogletree Deakins
  • Reading time:3 mins read
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Introducing the 2024 Imagine Cup World Championship Judges

Get ready for the pinnacle of startup innovation as the Imagine Cup World Championship unfolds live at Microsoft Build on May 21! Three outstanding startups from across the globe are poised to showcase their AI-solutions on the global stage, vying for the coveted title and a chance to win USD100,000 and a mentorship session with Microsoft Chairman and CEO, Satya Nadella. Since the start of the 2024 season back in…

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  • Reading time:7 mins read
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The Primary Care Crisis and Other News

Howie and Harlan discuss health and healthcare headlines. From flatlining telehealth to Walmart closing retail clinics to months-long waits for healthcare appointments, they try to untangle the challenges in delivering healthcare. Also considered, H5N1 bird flu increasing the risks of drinking unpasteurized milk, promising research on open-source moderation of misinformation on social media. Links: Yale Repertory Theater | The Far Country CDC | H5N1 “US bird flu outbreak spreads to…

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Programme of the 4th Central Asian Conference of the Valdai Discussion Club

On May 14–15, 2024, the Valdai Club will hold its fourth annual Central Asian conference, titled “Russia and Central Asia: Development and Security in a Changing World”. Programme of the 4th Central Asian Conference of the Valdai Discussion Club “Russia and Central Asia: Development and Security in a Changing World” Ufa, May 14–15, 2024   Attention! The time specified in the programme is local (GMT +5) May 14, Tuesday  …

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Vision to Victory: Coaching as a Leadership Game-Changer – PODCAST

In this episode of Nevermind the Pain Points, host Sophie Brazell-Ng and guest experts Sarah Partridge and Dr. Kristina Curtis explore the critical role that coaches play in unlocking the full potential of leaders. Tune in to discover how coaching can be your ally in navigating challenges, identifying your strengths, and steering your career towards success.Listen here or read on for an edited transcript. Sophie Brazell-Ng: Welcome back, everybody. Hello.…

  • Post category:Clarasys
  • Reading time:45 mins read
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5 valuable financial lessons you can learn from Star Wars

Star Wars Day on 4 May is a celebration of the legendary sci-fi saga that has been capturing audience imaginations since the release of Star Wars (later called A New Hope) in 1977. The film launched one of the biggest franchises in history, spanning 12 films and nine TV series, as well as countless books, comics, and video games. Generations of fans enjoy the galactic adventures of iconic characters including…

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Closing the blinds on banks’ window dressing

2 May 2024By Claudio Bassi, Markus Behn, Michael Grill, Massimo Libertucci, Pär Torstensson and Peter WelzSome banks reduce balance sheet items around reporting dates. Such “window dressing” camouflages the true risks of a bank, impairs markets as well as bank resilience and supervision. The ECB Blog looks at how regulators and supervisors are taking action. Banks commonly report and disclose financial information and regulatory metrics at the end of every…

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Why Retaining Top Talent is More Difficult Than Ever

Finding and keeping great employees can be tough for companies all over. With changes in employee expectations, advancements in technology, and shifts in the job market, it’s a real challenge. In 2019, a whopping 42 million U.S. workers alone said “so long” to their jobs voluntarily. Yep, you read that right – 42 million! It’s a staggering number that highlights the magnitude of the challenge companies face in retaining their…

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The Israel-Iran Conflict: A View from Riyadh

Aggressive Israeli policy, the desecration of Islamic holy sites in Palestine by Israeli fanatics, and the unlimited support provided by successive US administrations give individuals, organisations, and even states in the region a justification to engage in activities that threaten its security and peace, writes Saleh Muhammad Al-Khathlan, Professor of Political Science and Senior Advisor at the Gulf Research Center, Saudi Arabia. The recent confrontation between Israel and Iran reaffirms…

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Can Boeing Fix Itself?

Disasters can act as brutal audits of organisations to which even veritable institutions like Boeing are no exception. In the wake of two fatal crashes as well as a mid-flight door blowout, Boeing has shaken up its C-suite and pledged to prioritise safety over profit. Will these measures solve its problems? We address this question in the context of operations, safety and organisational economics.Drawing on a wide body of research and…

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  • Reading time:8 mins read
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How AI improves physician and nurse collaboration

A new artificial intelligence model helps physicians and nurses work together at Stanford Hospital to boost patient care. - By Hanae Armitage An artificial intelligence model in use at Stanford Hospital helps physicians and nurses know when a patient may be in decline, so they can act quickly to keep them out of the intensive care unit. vachcameraman - stock.adobe.com With large language models that take notes during patient visits and algorithms…

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The CEO’s Cyber Resilience Playbook

Research Feature What do CEOs who led through a serious cyberattack regret? Use this guide to learn from their experiences and take smarter actions before, during, and after an attack. Manuel Hepfer, Rashmy Chatterjee, and Michael Smets May 01, 2024 Reading Time: 13 min  Michael Glenwood Gibbs/theispot.com On May 7, 2021, executives at Colonial Pipeline discovered that cybercriminals had launched a ransomware attack on its IT systems. To prevent the…

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2024 Title IX Regulation Update, Part III: Section 106.44—Recipients’ Duty to Address Sex Discrimination

Quick Hits Restrictions on contact have been modified to eliminate mutual no-contact orders as the default. Supportive measure decisions are appealable. Procedures for emergency removal of a student respondent and placement of an employee respondent on administrative leave have been clarified. The final regulations take effect on August 1, 2024. § 106.44—Recipients’ Duty to Address Sex Discrimination Knowledge and Notice Section 106.44 provides specific requirements for the institution’s response to…

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  • Reading time:15 mins read
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Developments in the regulation of digital advertising – online choice architecture

Kate Hawkins: Hi, it is Kate Hawkins, a principal associate in the advertising law team at Gowling WLG. One topic that I discussed in the recent AD LAW seminar was online choice architecture and the regulation of pressured selling techniques in an online environment such as countdown timers and " act fast " messaging or dark patterns as they are sometimes called. It also touched on free trials and subscriptions,…

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  • Reading time:11 mins read
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CEOs Need More Face Time, Not FaceTime

This commentary originally appeared in Chief Executive. From the 1960s through the 1970s, AT&T advertised its long-distance service as “the next best thing to being there,” suggesting phone calls were a good substitute for seeing family members in person—but that might not work for the boss. Virtual meetings that save travel costs and provide visibility for CEOs of vast enterprises who can’t be everywhere at once are necessary but no…

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China: confidence, price war and credibility are the watchwords in this early part of the year

Confidence, or rather a lack thereof, is reflected throughout the economy: in retail sales (up 5.5% year on year in February, falling short of the consensus), private investment, imports (down 8.2% in February) and, above all, real estate indicators. Real estate is the main focus of concern: far from improving, key variables like housing starts, square footage sold and new construction have all deteriorated further in the early part of…

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  • Reading time:5 mins read
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CHINA: New national data classification and grading standard is released

Data classification and grading is an obligation that each data handler must comply with under the Chinese data protection laws. Data handlers have been waiting for clear requirements and standards on how to carry out the relevant work. The newly published national standard GB/T 43697-2024 Data Security Technology – Rules for Data Classification and Grading sheds light in this area. Basic rules As a general principle, sectoral authorities shall publish…

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  • Reading time:4 mins read
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Lights, AI, Action: Wonder Dynamics’s Tye Sheridan

Topics Artificial Intelligence and Business Strategy The Artificial Intelligence and Business Strategy initiative explores the growing use of artificial intelligence in the business landscape. The exploration looks specifically at how AI is affecting the development and execution of strategy in organizations. In collaboration with More in this series Get updates by email Please enter a valid email address Thank you for signing up Privacy Policy Actor Tye Sheridan may not…

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EEOC Argues Vendors Using Artificial Intelligence Tools Are Subject to Title VII, the ADA and ADEA Under Novel Theories in Workday Litigation

Seyfarth Synopsis: In Mobley v. Workday, the EEOC filed an amicus brief supporting a class-action plaintiff's theory that a Human Resources software company could be directly liable for employment discrimination allegedly caused by the vendor's artificial intelligence tool under theories that the organization was acting as an employment agency, indirect employer, or agent of the employer. Employers, HR vendors and service providers, and AI developers should take note because even…

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EEOC Publishes Long-Awaited Final Guidance on Workplace Harassment

Quick Hits The EEOC issued a final version of new guidance for employers clarifying its positions on the applications of federal laws prohibiting harassment and retaliation. The new guidance is the first update to the EEOC’s workplace harassment guidance since 1999 and incorporates several new developments in the law and modern workforces. Key to the new guidance is that it recognizes unlawful harassment against LGBTQ+ individuals and addresses workplace protections…

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  • Reading time:9 mins read
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Educators: Learn to boost inclusion all year long during AANHPI Heritage Month

Each May in the United States, we observe Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, taking the time to reflect on the experiences and contributions of the AANHPI community. Schools nationwide greet the faces of AANHPI students every day, embodying the rich diversity and cultural tapestry of our classrooms. In fact, every county in the United States has an AANHPI presence. The Pew Research Center projects the…

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When Managers Set Unrealistic Expectations, Employees Cut Ethical Corners

In the 1990s, when Harvard Business School Professor Lynn S. Paine was researching and writing about examples of corporate misconduct, she hoped more businesses would take decisive action to root out fraud and other unethical behavior.Many companies have since formed ethics and compliance programs designed to boost responsibility, yet corporate misconduct has persisted—and in many ways worsened, often to the tune of billions of dollars in losses. Perhaps that’s because…

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Embracing Subscription-Based Models to pioneer the Circular Economy Transition

Ready, Set… Go Circular!In the ever-evolving landscape of commerce, businesses are increasingly pivoting towards sustainable practices. Among the myriad of strategies, subscription-based models (SBMs) have emerged as a beacon of sustainable innovation. These models enable organisations to participate in the Circular Economy, where products are purposely designed to be better reused, refurbished and repurposed, thus decreasing the impact on our landfills and reducing energy and material usage. By intertwining convenience,…

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DHS Relaxes Employment Authorization Rules for Ethiopian and Palestinian F-1 Students

Quick Hits DHS announced relaxed employment authorization standards for Ethiopian and Palestinian F-1 students who are eligible for work authorization. During the school year, work-authorized Ethiopian and Palestinian F-1 students may increase the number of hours worked and reduce their school course load. Students who utilize this benefit will still be maintaining their status despite not having a “full course of study.” On April 12, 2024, Secretary of Homeland Security…

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BRICS+: The Path to a New World Order

By working together, the BRICS+ nations have shown that multipolarity can work, notwithstanding differences amongst them. This has been achieved while those adhering and aligning with unipolar efforts at enforcing homogeneity flounder amid the realities of an international political economy in flux. The global CoVID-19 pandemic and vaccine apartheid showed the world that the current hegemonic forces in world affairs are only interested in their own interests, and that the…

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The Anomalies of Disruption

Topics Innovation Disruption Column Our expert columnists offer opinion and analysis on important issues facing modern businesses and managers. More in this series subscribe-icon Subscribe Share Paolo Beghini/Ikon Images On his office door, Clayton Christensen — who at one point I called my teacher, mentor, boss, colleague, coauthor, and, most importantly, friend — had a handcrafted sign saying, “Anomalies Wanted.” Like a good scientist, Christensen believed that the things you…

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Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Rejects Compensation Plan Allocating Commissions to Overtime and Premium Pay

Quick Hits The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court upheld a lower court’s ruling that a retailer’s commission-based compensation plan violated the Massachusetts Wage Act by paying commission-based sales employees their overtime and Sunday premium pay out of their earned commissions. The retailer used a compensation plan that functioned like an advance on sales employees’ future commissions, with sales employees being paid three different types of advances and charged with a “negative…

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  • Reading time:8 mins read
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