YOU CAN GAIN EXPERIENCE FROM ANYWHERE! 

MY FIRST JOB TAUGHT ME VALUABLE SKILLS

If you could list out the factors, instances, and experiences that helped shape you into the person you are today or helped you find your dream job, I’m willing to bet that your previous jobs played a vital role!

We learn a lot about ourselves, how we want to be treated, and what we’re looking for in a career from the previous jobs and employers we’ve had. Perhaps you realize that instead of being in a position where you work alone, you want to be around people and interact with others. Or you may discover that you’re not a detailed-oriented person, so having a job that requires that skill may not interest you. No matter what jobs you’ve had in the past, they can help you discover what you value and what you want out of a profession.

For myself, my past jobs helped shape me into the person I am today. They allowed me to discover my strengths and weaknesses, how to lead a team, and how I wanted to treat those who trusted me with their needs. While many jobs from my youth weren’t glamorous by any means, they played a vital role in how I learned to carry myself and equipped me with the skills I would need in the future.

My first job sticks out to me the most. I was 13 and worked at a beach club during the summer. Now, while the club was amazing, my role was not. I would clean toilets, sweep, mop, vacuum the floors, take out the trash, rearrange and move items, and ensure everything looked perfect when guests arrived. However, this job taught me several valuable lessons: 1) the tiniest details matter; 2) I’m accountable for my actions and responsibilities; 3) give 100% to the task at hand; 4) no matter what your role is, you can always impact others.

While my role at the beach club wasn’t always guest-facing, my actions would impact their experiences in several ways. If the garbage was overflowing, the floors were dirty, or things looked out of place, it could tarnish the experience guests have. The beach club wanted to convey a clean and welcoming environment — and this depended on the work I performed. I found reward in knowing that everything was tidy because of me. My job had a purpose, and even if it wasn’t glamorous, it made a significant difference in the experience guests and employees would have.

The skills, lessons, and accountability I learned at my first job followed me into every other job I had. And today, these same factors assist me when working with clients. Every time I meet with you, I prioritize listening to everything you say because I value your time and want to know the details of the legal issue you are facing. I know you’re trusting me with very difficult matters, and I never take that responsibility lightly. So, I will always take the extra time to look at the tiniest details and dedicate 100% to solving your legal matter.

If it weren’t for my summer jobs, I wouldn’t have learned or acquired the skills I needed to do what I do today. Although I may not have enjoyed some of the work I did, it helped shape me into the person I am today. And for that, I will always be grateful.

What were your summer jobs growing up? Did they teach you anything you still use today?

Don’t Get Hit With an Unexpected Lawsuit!

Common Issues Companies Experience

Creating, owning, and managing a business takes a lot of blood, sweat, and tears. Because of all the hard work you put into your company, the last thing you want is an unexpected legal battle to throw a wrench in your plans. Therefore, the best thing you can do to protect yourself and your business is to learn about the common issues companies are sued for. By understanding the common lawsuits you could face, you will learn from the mistakes of others and use that to help you avoid pitfalls. Here are three lawsuits many businesses face.

BREACH OF CONTRACT

Many companies find themselves in a difficult situation where an individual or business sues them for not fulfilling their side of the contract. These documents are legally binding, and if you or other parties are not following the terms of the agreement, they can be sued. If you recall, in our May newsletter, we discussed several strategies to prevent contract disputes from happening. Please keep those tactics in mind to reduce your chance of being hit with a lawsuit.

LIABILITY LAWSUIT

Let’s say your employee, product, or service caused harm, damage, injuries, or another negligent act toward a customer or their property. If that happens, you may face a liability lawsuit. Perhaps your product was faulty, had flaws or insufficient warnings, or had missing parts that caused an accident, your company could be sued. Likewise, if another business uses your equipment or services, and one of their employees gets injured, you may have a personal injury lawsuit on your hands.

WORKPLACE ISSUES

Employees filing lawsuits against their former employers for discrimination, wrongful termination, harassment, or compensation issues are unfortunately common. Various kinds of cases fall into this category. An employee could claim you discriminated against them because of their age, gender, race, or religion. They may say they suffered workplace abuse like intimidation or bullying. Other lawsuits involve claims that a business didn’t comply with federal, or state wage laws and other issues.

To avoid these legal issues, it’s vital that you connect with an attorney who can review your contracts and other important documents and ensure everything is in order. Additionally, if you’re facing a lawsuit, you want a seasoned attorney to defend you. For both scenarios, please allow Reardon Anderson to assist you. We will be happy to help in any way we can.

A Text or Email Can Be a Contract!

WHAT MAKES A DOCUMENT LEGALLY BINDING?

In the legal world, many firms rely on technology to communicate with clients. Processes and daily tasks have become seamless with the help of laptops and phones. But as tech continues to evolve, we must change how we view specific processes and legal steps. When most people hear about contracts, they think of formal agreements between two parties, usually involving lawyers. However, a contract can be a text, email, or napkin! Here’s what you need to know.

WHAT IS A CONTRACT?

A contract is a written or verbal agreement between two or more parties regarding exchanging items or services. Under the ESIGN Act, text messages and emails are considered legally binding. Furthermore, no signature is required for a contract to go into effect — all that is needed is for all parties to agree to the terms outlined in the document.

WHAT ABOUT COURT CASES REGARDING CONTRACT DISPUTES VIA TEXT OR EMAIL?

Over the past few years, several legal disputes have happened regarding if a text or email is considered a legitimate contract.

For example, in the 2013 case of Forcelli v. Gelco. Gelco Corporation’s insurance company offered Forcelli money to settle a case — this correspondence happened through email. Forcelli agreed to the settlement but tried to back out once the matter was resolved. The New York Appellate Division determined that emails were legally binding.

In the 2017 case of St. John’s Holdings, LLC v. Two Electronics, LLC, St. John’s Holdings (seller) sent multiple text messages to Two Electronics, LLC (buyer) asking them to sign a letter to finalize their deal. After a few attempts, the buyer responded to the text and agreed to the terms and conditions. However, the seller later informed the buyer that they had accepted an offer from another party. When this issue went to court, the judge determined that since both parties agreed on the terms and conditions via text, it was a binding contract.

So, what is needed to make a contract legally binding? You need four elements: 1) an offer, 2) an acceptance of the offer, 3) consideration, and 4) both parties agreeing to create binding relationship.

Because technology constantly evolves, we must understand how it can affect us from a legal standpoint. If you have any questions or concerns, allow us to assist you. Give our office a call anytime!

LET FREEDOM RING!

3 FACTS ABOUT THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

This month, we celebrated Independence Day! While the holiday has passed, the Revolutionary War took place over several years, and deserves more than one day to reflect on its history. Therefore, we wanted to share some facts about the Revolutionary War. Here are a few of our favorites.

THERE WERE 200 ORIGINAL COPIES OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE MADE.

We always advise our clients to acquire copies of any paperwork, contracts, and other documents for their records — and it appears that John Dunlap, the official printer of the Continental Congress, had the same idea! When the Declaration of Independence was created, Dunlap printed 200 copies of the document. One copy was signed by all 56 members of the Second Continental Congress, and the remaining copies only included the names of John Hancock and Charles Thompson. Only 26 original documents are still around today — the rest are lost in history.

A WOMAN DISGUISED HERSELF AS A MAN TO FIGHT IN THE WAR.

This is a real-life “Mulan” moment! Deborah Sampson wanted to defend the colonies and her people in any way she could. But she wanted to do more than women were expected, or allowed, to do. So, she disguised herself as a man named Robert Shurtleff and joined the army. Sampson went unnoticed for two years until she became ill in 1783 and woke up in a hospital. While officials now knew Robert Shurtleff was, in fact, a female, they still gave Sampson an honorable discharge. She  went on to lecture throughout the country to give her testimony as a female soldier. It’s also believed that Sampson wasn’t the only woman on the frontline — dozens of other women joined the fight for independence.

PATRIOTS USED INVISIBLE INK TO COMMUNICATE.

You read that right — even during the 1700s, they had some sort of advanced technology! Dr. James Jay created an invisible ink out of ferrous sulfate and water. The ink was used to write secret messages and would dry completely clear. To read the hidden message, you would hold the paper near heat or submerge it in a chemical to reveal the note. George Washington and his troops used this tactic often to write secret messages in letters or the back of books. Was this information in your history books back in high school and college? Do you know any facts that we didn’t mention? We would love to hear from you!

DON’T GET BURNED!

PROTECT YOUR SKIN WITH THESE SIMPLE TIPS

Summer is in full swing, which means the sun’s rays are shining bright for most of the country. In fact, the average UV index, or the intensity of ultraviolet light, across the U.S. is 7 or above on a scale of 13. To put that into perspective, a UV index of 3 is strong enough to damage the skin.

However, just because the UV index is high doesn’t mean you have to hide inside — you just need to practice a bit of safety when you’re outdoors! To protect you and your family during the hottest months of the year, here are three ways to keep your skin sunburn-free.

USE SUNSCREEN WHENEVER YOU’RE OUTSIDE — EVEN WHEN IT’S CLOUDY.

Many think sunscreen is only necessary at the beach or near a pool. However, the sun’s harmful rays will always reach your skin, no matter what you’re doing outside. Also, remember that while clouds may look like they’re blocking the sun, UV rays easily penetrate them and water like an ocean, lake, or pool. That’s why sunscreen is essential whenever you’re outside, even for just 20 minutes on a cloudy day.

Choose a broad-spectrum sunblock that is at least 30 SPF and protects against both UVA and UVB radiation. Reapply every two hours, and if you’re swimming or playing in the water, reapply every hour!

CHOOSE YOUR OUTSIDE TIME WISELY.

The sun’s rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., so your skin is much more susceptible to damage during this period. If you can, save outdoor tasks (like yardwork) for early morning or late afternoon. If you are planning to spend some time outside within this time frame, it’s best to do so in the shade. You can also use the shadow rule: If your shadow is shorter than you are, the sun’s rays are strong enough to damage your skin, so it’s time to find shade.

PICK THE RIGHT OUTFITS.

If possible, choose darker-colored, long-sleeved shirts and pants made with tightly woven fabrics like canvas or synthetic materials such as nylon. Then, protect your face, neck, and ears with a wide-brimmed hat and cover your eyes with 99% to 100% UV-absorbent sunglasses. These types of clothing and accessories block more of the sun’s rays from ever reaching your skin and minimize your risk of a severe sunburn.