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“Ask The Lawyer” – Social Media Policies


The following is a regularly occurring column titled “Ask The Lawyer” from SyracuseFirst member Tully Rinckey.

 

Social Media Policies

The Rights and Responsibilities of Employers and Employees

With the relatively recent explosion of social media usage and sharing, businesses have become increasingly concerned with employees discussing work-related matters online. Some have started reprimanding employees for expressing feelings about work on social networks. Others are implementing policies that prohibit company issues from being discussed on social pages.

What can an employer do when an employee tweets a negative remark about his or her job or the business? Can he or she be scolded? Can his or her pay be docked or can he or she be fired?

As of January 2013, there were over 1.06 billion users registered on Facebook. Twitter reports that as of November 2012, users were sending out 15,000 tweets per second. While these numbers are staggering, it’s no secret that social media has become a “sounding board” for its users.

While instituting a policy that restricts employees’ discussion about work conditions may have been an employer’s first step, that isn’t an option. According to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), employees should be able to speak freely about work conditions, whether it’s with their voice or with a keyboard.

The NLRB’s guidelines in Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act (29 U.S.C. §157) permit employees to engage in what is commonly called “protected concerted activity.” This basically states that employees are allowed to engage in activities with the goal of improving their pay or work conditions. This rule, however, is not without restriction and does not condone all uninhibited social media activity by employees. In a case featured in the New York Times, an Illinois bartender was fired for venting about not receiving a raise in five years. He then called the bar’s customers “rednecks” and that he hoped they “choke on glass as they drive home drunk.” The NLRB ruled that his comments were not “concerted efforts” to improve work conditions and confirmed the legality of his firing.

While restricting employees from discussing work conditions with other employees via social media is illegal, businesses can write detailed policies telling employees not to discuss confidential company information or to engage in vulgarity, intimidation or harassment. There is still much uncertainty as to the best way to limit employees from lashing out on social media, so it’s best to discuss your options and craft a policy with the help of an experienced business or employment law attorney.

Richard H. Sargent is the author of Syracuse First’s “Ask the Lawyer” column and a partner at Tully Rinckey PLLC in Franklin Square. Please send business-related questions to askthelawyer@1888law4life.com.

 

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The New Economy Summit


The New Economy Summit, Presented by AmeriCU
#NewEconomySummit

On Wednesday, May 22nd, 2013, many of the regions most influential business, academic, and community leaders will come together for a day of inspiration and action to drive the development of a local and sustainable economy.

Join SyracuseFirst’s New Economy Summit: Growing Your Business and Building Community. This event marks the first conference of its kind in the region focusing on locally owned, independent businesses and how they uniquely contribute to economic vitality, environmental impact, and the cultural fabric and identity of a community.

Why attend the New Economy Summit?

The New Economy Summit isn’t your ordinary business conference. Event participants will delve into topics on the forefront of business growth and community development. Summit guests will:

  • Understand the true impact of local businesses on the local economy.
  • Get engaged with best practices to support local businesses.
  • Learn and share strategies on how to attract consumers to local businesses.

What you can expect at the New Economy Summit?

Inspirational Keynote Speakers

Judy Wicks. Author of the new book Good Morning, Beautiful Business: The Unexpected Journey of an Activist Entrepreneur and Local Economy Pioneer. In 2004, Inc. Magazine named Judy Wicks one of America’s 25 most fascinating entrepreneurs. Judy is is a co-founder of the nationwide Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE). Founder and CEO of the White Dog Café in Philadelphia. In 1970, she also co-founded the original Free People’s Store, now well known as Urban Outfitters.

Joe Grafton. Joe has dedicated the last decade of his life to shifting culture and paradigms to support of sustainable local economies and community-based businesses. He is the Director of Development and Community Engagement at the American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA), and a board member at the Sustainable Business Network of Massachusetts. *Joe’s appearance at the New Economy Summit is possible due to support from American Express.*

Educational and Practical Breakout sessions

How Community Capital and Local Investing are Putting Money in the Hands of Business Owners and Entrepreneurs,
presented by:
AmeriCU

The ABC’s of B Corporations: A New Business Structure for Social Enterprises,
presented by:
Elisa Miller-Out, Singlebrook
Hayden Brainard, Miller Mayer, LLP
Jason Salfi, Comet Skateboards
Liz Brenna, Socially Good Business

How Smart Growth Solutions Support Local Businesses,
presented by:
Peter Fleischer, Empire State Future

Creating a Stable Economy by Fostering Entrepreneurship,
presented by:
Mitchell Patterson & Seth Mulligan, CenterState CEO
Marty Butts, Small Potatoes Sales and Marketing

New Economy Summit Sponsors:  AmeriCU, The Gifford Foundation, Syracuse University, GA Promotions, Darco Manufacturing, Rounded, Genesee Grande, 2ndNature

Sponsorship opportunities are still available by contacting Beth Savicki (bsavicki@centerstateceo.com or 315-470-1800)

SPACE is LIMITED.  REGISTER TODAY  WWW.SYRACUSEFIRST.ORG/SUMMIT

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Tully Rinckey PLLC Partners with Syracuse First


Syracuse First is pleased to welcome Tully Rinckey PLLC to our family of businesses who are dedicated to growing the local Syracuse economy.

Tully Rinckey PLLC – named by Inc. magazine as one of the nation’s fastest growing privately owned companies – is located in downtown Syracuse in the heart of historic Franklin Square. The veteran-owned law firm’s roster includes Richard H. Sargent, a 35-year veteran civil litigator and business law attorney. The firm’s attorneys also practice matrimonial and family law, personal injury, workers’ compensation, military law, estate planning, bankruptcy law, intellectual property law, social security law and employment law. The firm also has offices in Albany and Buffalo as well as the metropolitan Washington, D.C.

In Syracuse, the firm is offering free initial consultations.

Tully Rinckey PLLC is committed to personal, professional and affordable legal services. Among the full suite of services for businesses, attorneys are able to assist with:

  • Business Incorporation;

  • Buy-Sell Agreements;

  • Tax Planning; and

  • Contracts and Agreements.

To learn more about Tully Rinckey PLLC and its commitment to serving Central New Yorkers, click here or visit the firm’s Facebook page. For more information or to schedule a consultation, call 315-492-4700.

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Cuse Mob: Guess Correctly and Win a Prize!


Our friend Todd Engel (Engel Law Offices) is upping the ante for whoever guesses the correct location of Cuse Mob first! Here’s how it works:

- the first person who correctly guesses the location of Cuse Mob by posting it on the SyracuseFirst facebook page and ‘likes’ Engel Law Offices on facebook will get a pair of Syracuse Crunch tickets for free!

Again, to make sure we’re on the same page:
- to win the pair of Syracuse Crunch tickets, you must ‘like’ Engel Law Offices on facebook, AND
- be the first person to guess the correct location of Cuse Mob (March 5th at 6pm) by posting your guess on the SyracuseFirst facebook page.

The first Cuse Mob clue comes out tomorrow :) Happy guessing!

 

 

 

 

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#CuseMob: The 3rd Edition


#CuseMob 3 is on the books: Tuesday, March 5th, 2013 at 6pm. That’s one week from today. If there’s something on your calendar, clear it right off and join us for the most fun you’ll have all week.

What’s the deal with #CuseMob and how does it work?

In the Spring of 2012 we launched a new way to connect citizens and businesses. This unique facilitator of fun asked individuals (you, me, your aunt and uncle) to bring a small amount of cash (typically $10) to a locally-owned, independent business. Said individuals were then asked to spend said cash on a cool item at said business.

And while the transaction part was a neat way to support a local, independent business, the real fun came when mobbers interacted and met “IRL” as the kids call it these days. (IRL is ‘in real life’).

That’s #CuseMob. A fun way to support a locally-owned independent business and meet some great people at the same time.

Here’s how #CuseMob 3 is going to shake out: we’re going to give you some clues between now and Sunday as to the location of the mob (feel free to guess as many times as you like). Be social about the process — we’d love to have you share with friends :) On Monday morning, we’ll let you know if you were right with your guesses by announcing where the mob will take place. Tuesday… #CuseMob time — bring $10 cash to the location and have a blast! Easy as that!

(Image from our first Cuse Mob at Craft Chemistry. Over 250 people mobbed C2 in May 2012).

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Measuring “Buy Local” Campaigns


Bring out the yardstick, here are a few measurements of the “Buy Local” movement:

  • In communities with an active “Buy Local” campaign, locally-owned, independent businesses saw revenue growth of 8.6% in 2012 — compare that with 3.4% for the same businesses in communities without an active “Buy Local” campaign.
  • 87% of independents said that being locally-owned mattered to their customers.
  • Respondents in cities with a “Buy Local” campaign: 75% said the initiative had a positive impact on their business; 48% said the campaign had improved customer loyalty.

At this point you could be thinking: these guys are a ‘Buy Local’ campaign, biased much? Fair argument. Don’t take our word for it, take the Institute of Local Self-Reliance‘s (ILSR) word for it.

The statistics above are from a recently completed ILSR survey — 2,377 locally-owned, independent businesses from all 50 states (and DC) responded to questions in an effort to suss out where we stand and how we’re doing. SyracuseFirst businesses were well-represented, meeting a benchmark for being highly-engaged.

There are a couple of take-away’s from this survey that stand out:

  • locally-owned, independent businesses are competitive in a recovering economy.
  • a growing number of people are connecting with their communities in a meaningful way.

You are the relationship economy. Wouldn’t you rather have the economy work for you, rather than spend life working for the economy?

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It starts with neighborhoods…


Don’t you love those days when things seem serendipitous? For me, yesterday had random elements of connectedness that ended up in the writing of this entry.

To preface

The BuyLocal/Think Local First movement is a means to an end. In most advocacy organizations, there’s a ‘thing’ that you’re asked to do, but that ‘thing’ usually leads to something else. The something else could mean greater individual health, a safer home, a better understanding of a particular issue, or something entirely different.

The ‘ends’ of the Buy Local movement is improved quality of life, a keen and unique cultural identity, and a vibrant place to live. Yeah, it’s lofty. It should be lofty. We, as a community, deserve lofty.

It all begins in neighborhoods.

Earlier in the day I came across this blog post from the Project for Public Spaces. Brendan Crain, the author, talks about place-making, branding of cities, and economic development from a hyper-local perspective. He’s of the mindset that neighborhoods can (and should) control their path forward.

It’s the people of those neighborhoods that can identify the needs and advantages of the group. It’s the neighborhood that should organize and strategize its’ way to success — utilizing what he calls the ‘competitive edge’ of each neighborhood.

Gardening, of the economic kind

His thoughts line up with what we call ‘economic gardening.’ Imagine this: when starting a garden you don’t wander over your neighbors yard, take their plants, and use them for your own. You take the time, nurture the soil, plant the seeds, water the garden. With hard work and dedication, you develop your own garden.

Economically, the same principle applies. Attracting large corporations to a community rarely means the creation of new jobs — those jobs are moving from one place to another (digging up your neighbors shrubs and putting them in your yard). Focusing on the people and talent that already lives within the region, nurturing their ideas, supporting their endeavors — that’s the path to real economic prosperity.

Conversations on the Northside

Last night on the Northside of Syracuse, neighborhood leaders came together to initiate a conversation. A discussion centered around goals, ideas, visions, and action.

(Chris speaking to the Northside neighborhood group)

There’s no ‘automatic success’ button, but as Brendan writes, “the development of people and places is the same process.” This group wants grow their own garden, create their own distinct neighborhood, and improve quality of life for all residents. A lofty goal indeed.

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Craft Chemistry is closing.


You know Briana Kohlbrenner. Even if you’ve never met her, you know her.

You’ve probably been to the Salt City Urban Art and Craft Market (or the genius spin-off, the pepper market). Maybe you went to the One Take Super 8 event. Or even better yet, you could have taken a trip to Craft Chemistry.

Bre had (at least) a hand (sometimes both hands, both feet) in all of those. Always working in support of artists and their creations.

It’s no real wonder that Craft Chemistry (C2) and SyracuseFirst sprang to life around the same time. It’s no surprise that C2 has been a charter member of SyracuseFirst. In many ways  C2 epitomizes what SyracuseFirst is trying to accomplish — unique, funky, culturally relevant, new, engaging, community-focused, collaborative, open, fun, creative — a storefront for people filled with goodies from other people. This line of thinking played a role in designating C2 as the site of the first Cuse Mob.

When Bre announced that she was closing Craft Chemistry I was honestly conflicted. Should I feel glum? Happy? Excited? (It ended up being all of those rolled into one). Glum that the store was closing. Happy and excited that Bre can take on (more of) the world, as she wants to (and as she’s pretty darned good at). It’s immediately apparent to anyone that meets Bre: she doesn’t sit still. She’s always moving – full of life, full of energy, thinking, conjuring, on to the next thing in an effort to do more for people.

That’s Bre.

Dominic Robinson (Northside UP) wrote a piece on C2 in July of 2012. In it was a fantastic quote from Bre about her motivation to open the store in 2009, ”Others might have done a market study and determined that the location was off the beaten path. But I’m the kind of person where I just know what I like, and I do what I like.”

It’s in that spirit that we want to share C2′s final party. Next Friday February 8th, C2 is Going Out In Style. From 7pm until whenever, there will be food, drinks, dancing, and much merriment.

Bre’s up to something. Let’s see what’s next.

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Slow Food hits up LoFo for potluck and awards


Slow Food. Yeah, it’s the opposite of fast food —  from ‘food’ as a concept to food as a reality of daily life. They’re trying re-engage people with food on the global scale.

We’re lucky enough to have a chapter of Slow Food here in CNY. Even luckier still, Slow Food CNY is having a potluck and ‘Snail of Approval’ awards dinner on February 10th.

LoFo, the cool new local food themed restaurant will host the event (which runs from 2pm-5pm on the 10th).

Here’s the link you need if you’d like more info.

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Economic Development Funds — what does it mean from the *local* perspective?


In 2011, Governor Cuomo tasked regions of New York to come up with long-term plans for economic development (the entities became known as Regional Economic Development Councils or REDC’s).

Two years later, the Central New York region has been named as a “top performer” — twice. Two rounds of funding have been awarded and CNY has topped out at $197.5M. For those keeping score at home, that’s a 100% success rate.

That’s also a lot of money. (If you want to take a look at which projects received funding, click here for the 2011 list , and here for 2012 list.)

So how did the CNY REDC lead us to be a top performer? (again 2 for 2 is really, really good).

Since the beginning of their task, the CNY REDC looked at the long-term vision for the region from a unique perspective. Instead of throwing all of their weight behind a small number of big projects (this method has been taken in the past, and frankly, it doesn’t work that well), the council decided that smaller, more diverse projects would have a more meaningful impact in terms of jobs, prosperity, and vitality. Apparently, the Governor agrees with this approach.

What can get lost in the muddle of traditional talk surrounding publicly-privately funded projects, are well, the projects themselves. Two that popped out as having a tangible benefit (there are others, but these two are good to highlight) are:

1. Empire Farmstead Brewery
This Cazenovia facility is a project of Empire Brewing Company. At current capacity, Empire brews 1,200 barrels of the good stuff at their Armory Square location, and another 2,800 is contracted out of Brooklyn. The Empire Farmstead Brewery will increase production close to the 20,000 barrel mark. That’s a lot of beer (at a time when craft beer sales are predicted to triple in four years).

It also means jobs (over 100 from construction to operation), a direct bolstering of a unique-to-Syracuse business, agri-tourism (burgeoning in Madison County), value-added food processing (Empire is really good at using local ingredients in their beers). Yeah, it’s a great project and will contribute to the long-term vitality of the region.

 

2. Sibley’s Building
The Sibley’s building is that not so attractive odd shade of pink thing on the corner of Jefferson and Salina — pretty much the heart of downtown, and right across from Cafe Kubal and the Landmark. I’m sure you, like me, walk (or bike, or drive) past it thinking, “this could really be something,” or even, “if there was something here, it would really change the neighborhood.” The CNY REDC would agree with you.

The plan for Sibley’s is to convert it into residential/mixed-use space on the upper floors and retail on the lower (ground-level) floor. This is a similar format to the Dey’s Brothers building (where Cafe Kubal is now). Downtown Syracuse has an absurdly high occupancy rate (very close to 100%). People want to live downtown, work downtown, be a part of the City. This project would help supply additional housing options and provide a prime location for retail business(es). Could this (finally) be the opportunity for a grocery store to move in downtown? We’ll see. I hope so.

Oh, and the facade will look way different. The potential for this to impact the perception and reality of downtown is considerable.

Thanks to CenterState CEO for the cool pictures and some of the detailed info.

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