Ways Sexual Harassment Can Impact Your Business

Sexual harassment in the workplace is a real epidemic. As this issue sweeps across the nation, it should be top of mind as a business owner. Have you ever thought how a sexual harassment case could impact your daily work life? If you aren't thinking about this, it may be time to do so. As your experienced lawyer at the Lake of the Ozarks, we know how damaging a case like this can be for your business morale. Take a look below to check out the various ways an issue like this can impact your business life.

Lower Company Morale 

If a sexual harassment incident occurs, it can put a damper on the morale around your office. Employees may feel like the work environment isn't a safe place. This can lead to distracted workers, therefore a loss of productivity. A person who experiences a sexual harassment advance may let others know about the occurrence and the un-safe feeling may spread throughout your company.

Open Your Business to Lawsuit

Prompt action is required on behalf of the business owner or supervisor if you learn of a sexual harassment situation. It's important to have a conversation with all involved parties to set the tone for action that will be taken if the harassment continues. Ensure you have an open door policy for employees to report inappropriate behavior in the workplace. If you do have an employee experience sexual harassment in the workplace, legal advice can help you work through the situation to better protect your business. 

Lose Dedicated Workers

If an employee is harassed at work, they may start to dislike their job and/or work environment. Many times harassment goes unreported, therefore the behavior does not change. This can create a hostile work environment which is damaging for employees. An employee may be more apt to leave the company if they are being sexually harassed while working. You can easily lose a hard worker if they are uncomfortable when they come to work.

Tips for Handling Sexual Harassment Claims:

• Have an open door policy for employees to report any harassment they experience.
• Provide regular training on sexual harassment and go over the punishment for such action. 
• Take swift action if a sexual harassment case is reported. 
• Set the precedent if you have a report of sexual harassment in the workplace. 

Now that you know HOW your business may be impacted by a sexual harassment claim, you're ready to make changes in your daily work life to avoid this issue. If you discover a sexual harassment case has occurred at your business, ensure you take the right legal actions in a timely manner. Contact Gibbons Law Firm to learn how you can take swift action to help protect your business. Remember, your first consultation with our Lake of the Ozarks law firm is free!

Remember, your initial consultation with Gibbons Law Firm is always free.

Your Trusted Legal Resource

Gibbons Law Firm

2820 Bagnell Dam Blvd, Suite B4

Lake Ozark, MO 65049

(573) 348-2211

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Lake of the Ozarks Airshow

The Lake of the Ozarks Airshow is coming up! This family-friendly annual event brings spectators from all around. Don't miss out on the action when you visit the airshow this weekend - September 22nd from 8:00 am - 3:00 pm. As your experienced lawyer at the Lake of the Ozarks, we know how fun it is to get out and enjoy local events and that's why we've provided some information about this family-friendly event below.

All About the Lake of the Ozarks Airshow:

The Lake of the Ozarks Airshow is scheduled for September 22nd. This event will be packed with non-stop action. Exciting entertainment will be available all day at the airshow. The lineup for this event is going to be thrilling - you won't want to miss a thing! Be sure to bring blankets and/or lawn chairs to enjoy the show!

Airshow Schedule of Events:

8:00 am - 10:00 am:  Veterans Breakfast (Veterans $5/ Adult & Children $6)

10:00 am - 3:00 pm:  Vendor Booths, Static Displays & Kid’s Zone ($2 per child)

10:30 am: Opening Ceremony
- National Anthem
- Main Street Music Hall
- LOZ Dance
-Present Colors

10:45 am:  Air Show Starts
- KC Flight Wakes Up The Lake
- Ribbon Cutting - Brian Correll
- Planes vs. Cars:
* Bob Richards & Hulett Chevrolet-Buick-GMC
* Jeff Shetterly Races Kenny Carroll
- Ping Pong Ball Drop One
- Bob Richards Solo Act
- Lunch with RC Planes
- Brian Correll - Pitts Aerobatics
- Lee Crouch Stearman Solo Act
- John Fester T-6 Passes with Vince Hill
- Bob Bull Fly Over
- Ping Pong Ball Drop Two
- Jeff Shetterly
- Team Vortex
- Kenny Carroll Race Vs Team Vortex

3:00 pm:  Show Concludes

8:00 pm: Get the Led Out at Ozark Amphitheater
Doors open at 7:00 pm

Click here for more information about the Lake of the Ozarks Airshow!

Now that you know all about the Lake of the Ozarks Airshow, you're ready to come out and enjoy this event with your friends and family. As you are taking in all the fun, you may have a few legal burdens weighing on your mind. Don't let legal issues get in the way of living your life. Contact our Lake of the Ozarks law firm to help ease your mind. We can help give you legal options and walk you through the processes you will need to go through. Don't forget your first consultation with Gibbons Law Firm is free.

Remember, your initial consultation with Gibbons Law Firm is always free.

Your Trusted Legal Resource

Gibbons Law Firm

2820 Bagnell Dam Blvd, Suite B4

Lake Ozark, MO 65049

(573) 348-2211

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Factors that Impact the Cost of a Divorce

Divorce is not only an emotionally strenuous time, it can be hard on your budget too. As your experienced divorce lawyer at the Lake of the Ozarks, we know the divorce process is impacted by a number of factors. While no two divorces are the same, we can offer some advice on what can drive up the cost of getting a divorce. Take a look below to learn what factors impact the cost AND what you can do to keep these expenses at bay.

Case Complexity

There are quite a few factors that can make a divorce complex. The most common factor is children. If you and your spouse have kids together, deciding the custody arrangement can take time and effort. Another factor that can increase the complexity of your case is if one of the spouses own a business. Complex community property is another factor that can impact the cost of a divorce. It can take energy to decide who is getting what when it comes to community property.

Length of Time

The main factor of the cost of a divorce is the amount of time each step takes. Your lawyer and your spouses' lawyer will both work on your case and likely charge by the hour. The amount of paperwork to compile and filter through will add to the amount of time required. If you don't get back with your lawyer in a timely fashion, it's another way your budget may increase. The amount of time required to prepare for your divorce can impact the total cost.

Conflict Level

If you and your spouse go back and forth trying to come to a settlement, it can draw out the process. Coming to a conclusion before you get into the heat of things can be beneficial for your divorce budget. It's best to be understanding and work with your lawyer and/or your spouse to get through the process with a low level of conflict.

While getting a divorce can impact your entire life, you can limit the financial impact of the process. By knowing WHAT causes a divorce bill to increase, you and your spouse can work together to keep the cost down. If you are thinking about getting a divorce, contact our Lake of the Ozarks lawyer today. Your first consultation with Gibbons Law Firm is free. Give us a call today to learn how we can help you through the divorce process.

Remember, your initial consultation with Gibbons Law Firm is always free.

Your Trusted Legal Resource

Gibbons Law Firm

2820 Bagnell Dam Blvd, Suite B4

Lake Ozark, MO 65049

(573) 348-2211

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Tips to Protect Your Small Business From a Workers Compensation Claim

Owning a small business takes a lot of time and energy. As a business owner, you are likely looking for ways to reduce the chance of being involved in legal litigation. Here at Gibbons Law Firm, we understand your time and energy is best spent focusing on your business at hand. That's why we've dedicated this week's blog to showcasing a few ways you can help reduce the chance of your business being involved in a workers compensation lawsuit.

Properly Train Employees

When a new employee comes to work for your business, ensure they have the proper training on every aspect of the job they will be doing. The right training can help reduce the chance of an employee being involved in an accident at work. Take the time to explain why each protocol is in place to help your new employees better understand the dangerous potential of the job.

Clearly Mark Dangerous Areas

Use caution tape on the floor to mark hazardous areas in your business. If certain places are reserved for only approved personnel, mark these areas clearly to help eliminate any confusion. Also, be sure to use any signage to let employees and customers know about a potentially hazardous situation. If you have just mopped, make sure you have a wet floor sign marking the area!

Perform Regular Safety Checks

The daily tasks you and your employees perform can quickly become routine. Always have a constant eye out for a potential hazard that may present itself for your employees. Supervisors should perform safety checks on a regular basis to ensure all potentially dangerous situations are accounted for and well known.

Continually Educate About Employee Safety

It's a good idea to do regular training on workplace safety for your employees. This can help keep safety protocol top of mind as your workers complete their daily tasks. Even if your employees have the safety protocol down, it's important to perform a refresher course every now and then.

Ensure Employees Use Proper Safety Procedures

There are a number of safety procedures in place for all lines of work. Whether it's wearing the proper harness for employees on a boom truck or wearing a hard hat on a construction site, it's important that your employees practice proper safety procedures on a daily basis. Keep an eye out for employees and ensure they use the right safety protocol each and every day.

Establish an Open Door Policy

Employees should be encouraged to report any dangerous or potentially dangerous situations in the workplace. Your workers are doing the tasks on a daily basis and may notice a situation that may be a hazard before anyone else. Let your employees know you are open to hearing about potential dangers AND ideas of how to overcome these situations.

As your experienced business attorney at the Lake of the Ozarks, we know how important it is for a business owner to be able to put their energy toward running the business. By helping to avoid legal issues, you can use your time and energy doing what you love. If you do have a workers compensation claim against your business, it's important to have a lawyer at the Lake of the Ozarks on your side. Contact our Lake of the Ozarks attorney TODAY to learn how we can help you navigate the legal landscape that is often involved with owning a business.

Remember, your initial consultation with Gibbons Law Firm is always free.

Your Trusted Legal Resource

Gibbons Law Firm

2820 Bagnell Dam Blvd, Suite B4

Lake Ozark, MO 65049

(573) 348-2211

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