Why Starbucks workers are rejecting unionization
If you worked at a Starbucks, would you be so eager to join a union? Published November 27, 2023
Gene Marks
Columns by Gene Marks
It’s illegal to fire an employee who refuses to come to the office
Business owners who require employees to return to the office could face scrutiny by the National Labor Relations Board if an employee refuses, complains and is fired. Published October 24, 2023
The era of the worker: Strikes are making a comeback, with potential ramifications
We've had both new and proposed rules and laws to increase overtime pay, reclassify more independent contractors as employees, remove noncompete agreements and require pay transparency. Published October 9, 2023
Small businesses struggle to keep up with Washington regulatory edicts
Is the Biden administration anti-business? That's certainly something to be debated over dinner. Published September 4, 2023
SBA should be tasked only with providing capital to small businesses
I believe that Isabel Guzman is one of the hardest-working people in the U.S. government. Published July 31, 2023
The next phase of remote working: In the office only on Tuesdays, Wednesdays And Thursdays
Ask any of my clients who own businesses and they'll tell you that it is better when their employees work in their offices than when they work from home. Better for the companies. Better for the employees. Published June 28, 2023
American businesses face two huge tax increases this year
To pay for the trillions of dollars in spending the Biden administration has overseen over the past two years, President Biden has been advocating tax increases, particularly on the "wealthy" and corporations. Published May 29, 2023
Biden demonizes small-business owners
Over the past few years, President Biden has introduced tax proposals that he stresses to say are targeted at "the wealthy." Published April 26, 2023
Companies nationwide being hit with tsunami of regulations
According to the National Federation of Independent Businesses, small-business optimism is now at its lowest level in the past 10 years. Published April 3, 2023
Why U.S. is due for recession this year
Last week the Bureau of Labor Statistics published its consumer price index, which, at a 6.4% annual rate, was more than most economists expected. Published February 22, 2023
Santos’ appointment to House Committee on Small Business is disgraceful
I am flabbergasted. Astonished. Stunned. Appalled. George Santos, the Republican House representative from New York, is now a member of the House Committee on Small Business. Published January 30, 2023
Big businesses have begun ‘cutting the fat’
When Elon Musk took over Twitter, many employees either left or were terminated. Published January 9, 2023
Millions of work-from-home employees stole from their employers
Ever wonder why Elon Musk is so adamant about people coming into the office? Published December 8, 2022
The 2023 costly regulatory wave
The midterms are over, and the expected "red wave" of Republican victories never materialized. Published November 21, 2022
My advice for workers in 2023: Get to work
Enough with the "quiet quitting." Stop doing your side gig on your employer's time. Scale back your work-from-home demands. Reconsider that big push to unionize your office. Published November 1, 2022
Small businesses are in for another lousy year come 2023
A new survey from PNC Bank caught my eye. The semi-annual report claims that small businesses are "still optimistic, despite inflation and recession worries." Ah, how sweet. Published September 23, 2022
Why Biden’s loan forgiveness program is a hardship for businesses
According to U.S. News & World Report, the average cost of a four-year private college is $38,185 per year and state colleges (for out-of-state students) is $22,698. Published August 30, 2022
Three items in the Inflation Reduction Act that will hurt small businesses
Here comes the Inflation Reduction Act, and none of my small business clients, Republican or Democrat, would argue with sound government action that aims to protect our environment. Published August 16, 2022
I had COVID-19 last week. I didn’t stop working
One of the greatest scams ever inflicted on the workplace in recent memory is COVID-19 hysteria. Test positive and ... boom! You've just received a get-out-of-work-for-free card. Published August 2, 2022
How Biden is killing business confidence
Inflationary pressures were occurring well before the Russian invasion of Ukraine or Chinese lockdowns. Published July 14, 2022
