Alan L. Sklover - Sklover Working Wisdom

“Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there.”

– Stevie Wonder

First of all, Stevie Wonder is, for me, one of the true Wonders of the World. There is something nearly beyond human in his music and lyrics. Last week I listened to a podcast about music. Someone mentioned that Stevie Wonder had agreed to appear at a charitable event for a small charity, and to do one song. The charity was more than thrilled. He arrived, practiced with their band, but instead of one take, he insisted on practicing that one song with them for three hours. About 20 takes. If he was going to do it, well, he was going to do it right. Even for a small charity. That, my friends, is why he is at the top, and why he has been there for so long . . . true character. A true Wonder of the World. (He makes me dance, especially when no one is looking.)

This quote was submitted by my son, Sam, who is a musician, employed in the music industry, and – like me – a very big Stevie fan. Thanks, Sam, for your contribution, and Thank You, too, for being the young man of character you are.

If you would like to contribute a saying, proverb or quote, we’d love to receive it and share it with our Blog Family. To do so, just send it to “The Boss,” Vanessa@ExecutiveLaw.com.

Need a model memo or letter to transmit a request or complaint? A good checklist or form agreement? For a complete list of our Model Letters, Memos, Checklists and Sample Agreements, Just [click here.]

Interested in Membership? It’s free, and has advantages, including discounts on our products. Just [click here.]

Need a private telephone consultation? Just [click here.] Evenings and weekends can usually be accommodated.

SkloverWorkingWisdom.com – Your Path to Dignity at Work™

© 2019 Alan L. Sklover. All Rights Reserved and Strictly Enforced.

Question: My employer was purchased by a competitor, and a large group of us were chosen for layoff. As part of the severance offer, I have to sign an agreement. One of the sections of the severance agreement has the title “No Re-Hire; No Application.”

It says that I will never again “seek to regain employment by the Company or any company that is affiliated with the Company.”

I haven’t done anything to deserve this, and so I am wondering why they would take that attitude toward me. It’s bad enough to lose a job, but this seems insulting. Have you ever seen this before?

Fiona
Elgin, Illinois

Answer: Dear Fiona: This is not the first time I’ve received almost this exact question. It seems like more of a kick in the pants than a reasonably gentle “goodbye.” Hopefully my explanation shines a bit more light on the otherwise troubling clause.
Continue Reading. . .

“So much has been given to me, I have no time to ponder what has been denied.”

– Helen Keller

Helen Keller was left blind and deaf by an illness at age two. Yet, she became the first blind-deaf person to graduate from college, and then went onward to become a world famous author, activist and lecturer. As her words attest, she focused on the positive, appreciated all of her blessings, and never wasted a moment to self-pity. An inspiration like few others; an example for us all.

This quote was submitted to us by Michele D., a long-term member of our Blog Family, whose most recent contribution, above, she uses in her daily endeavors as a training professional. Our heartfelt thanks go out to you, Michele!

If you would like to contribute a saying, proverb or quote, we’d love to receive it and share it with our Blog Family. To do so, just send it to “The Boss,” Vanessa@ExecutiveLaw.com.

Need a model memo or letter to transmit a request or complaint? A good checklist or form agreement? For a complete list of our Model Letters, Memos, Checklists and Sample Agreements, Just [click here.]

Interested in Membership? It’s free, and has advantages, including discounts on our products. Just [click here.]

Need a private telephone consultation? Just [click here.] Evenings and weekends can usually be accommodated.

© 2019 Alan L. Sklover. All Rights Reserved and Strictly Enforced.

“God could not be everywhere and
therefore he invented mothers.”

– Jewish Saying

To every mother, grandmother, and great grand-mother out there, THANKS. Today is Your Day. It’s even named after you. In case anyone hasn’t said it to you yet, THANKS for all you do, all you’ve done, and for the zillions of things you will do tomorrow and the day after that, too . . .

© 2019 Alan L. Sklover All Rights Reserved. Commercial Use Prohibited.

. . . Yes, the 2018 “Tax Reform” law in the U.S. made employer-paid and employer-reimbursed relocation costs – even when your moving is requested by the employer – income to the employee, and thus taxed to the employee? Yikes!

We all should know that wages, salary, bonuses and employer-granted grants of stock are “income” to the employee, and thus subject to taxes to be paid by the employee.

Some of that changed in the U.S. this year due to our “friends” in Congress, and their so-called “Tax Reform” law that lowered taxes on the wealthy.

Under previous tax law, payment OR reimbursement of most of an employee’s job-related moving expenses were not subject to income taxes or employment taxes (such as Medicare or Social Security.)

However, under last year’s so-called “tax reform” legislation, employers now must include all moving expenses – whether paid by the employer OR reimbursed by the employer – in the employee’s income that they report annually to the IRS.

Employees are warned to take this change into account when considering whether to accept a relocation request, as moving oneself, or an entire family, can be awfully expensive, and doubly so when the amount paid or reimbursed by the employer is also subject to taxes.

You may want to request that your employer (or prospective employer) not only pay for or reimburse you for your relocation costs, but also agree to “Gross Up” that amount that is, also pay you what you will need to pay in taxes, to make up that “tax difference” to you. Alternatively, to “repay” you in some way to address this new tax burden on you.

If you are not familiar with the concept of “Tax Gross Up,” look for our upcoming newsletter to be entitled “Tax Gross Up: What Does That Mean?”

“Knowledge is leverage. Forewarned is forearmed. Look before you leap.” That’s our motto at SkloverWorkingWisdom.com.

[Written and transmitted May 8, 2019.]

(Please note: This email newsletter does not constitute legal or tax advice; for such advice or counsel, you need to consult a lawyer or tax adviser. In addition, laws change, and that includes the present tax law noted above, and, so, reliance upon this email newsletter must take these warnings into account.)

Need to send a model memo or letter to make a request or complaint? A good checklist or form agreement? For a complete list of our Model Letters, Memos, Checklists and Sample Agreements, Just [click here.]

Interested in Membership? It’s free, and has advantages, including discounts on our products. Just [click here.]

Need a private telephone consultation? Just [click here.] Evenings and weekends can usually be accommodated.

© 2019 Alan L. Sklover. All Rights Reserved and Strictly Enforced.