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Prepare for the New Year: A Legal Compliance Checklist for Smart Businesses

Thought Leadership Legal Small Business Management tips Environmental, Social and Governance Management and Leadership Article
By Jamy Sullivan, JD, Executive Director, Legal Practice Group, Robert Half As 2024 comes to a close, legal compliance is taking center stage for businesses. Impending regulatory deadlines, annual reporting requirements and strategic planning drive this season of updating policies, allocating budgets for compliance initiatives, conducting risk assessments and preparing for the new year's regulatory changes. Is your organization ready for 2025? A thorough review of compliance measures is essential. Our roadmap covers critical areas, including corporate governance, employment law, data privacy, cybersecurity, tax compliance, and financial reporting.
Corporate governance documents are the bedrock of legal and regulatory compliance. These crucial papers, like bylaws and shareholder agreements, spell out what shareholders, directors and officers can and must do. It's vital to review and update them regularly to stay in step with current business practices and legal requirements. Companies should take a good look at how they're structured for governance, including who's on the board and how decisions get made. Why update these documents? Well, things change. Maybe a shareholder leaves, or it's time to plan for who will take over next. And when you must make changes to bylaws or articles of incorporation, make sure you follow the rules laid out in your existing documents. Keeping these governance papers up-to-date helps businesses stay on the right side of regulations and laws and keeps potential risks at bay.
Employment law compliance is a big deal for businesses. It's all about following federal, state, and local rules on how companies treat their workers. This covers everything from hiring and wages to working conditions and employee rights. Compliance isn't just about avoiding fines — it's about creating a positive workplace culture and protecting both employee rights and the company's good name. Key areas to focus on: wage and hour rules, overtime pay, workplace health and safety standards, and anti-discrimination and harassment laws. Employers also need to know what’s required — and changing — when it comes to employee benefits. It's smart to regularly review your employment policies and procedures to make sure you're keeping up with evolving regulations.
Organizations should regularly check their processes for keeping sensitive information safe from unauthorized access and breaches. This means using encryption for data that's stored and data that's sent, doing regular backups and having plans ready in case something goes wrong. Companies should also focus on training employees to spot current cybersecurity threats, like phishing and ransomware attacks. Keep an eye on data privacy and security measures and audit them regularly to catch any unusual activities that might signal a breach. By making data protection and cybersecurity a priority, businesses can reduce risks, stay compliant with regulations and laws, and protect their reputation in an increasingly digital world.
Tax compliance and financial reporting are perennial legal and regulatory obligations. Obligations vary based on whether a company is domestic, has global operations or is publicly or privately held. For example, businesses must keep accurate financial records and prepare statements following GAAP or IFRS guidelines for consistency across organizations. Companies need to categorize transactions properly, tracking sales and value-added taxes based on where customers are. It's important to file tax returns, including income and information returns, on time. Keeping detailed inventory records and accurately tracking the cost of goods sold is key for understanding profitability and managing cash flow. Strong internal controls help prevent mistakes and fraud for reliable financial information. Review and update accounting policies to stay compliant with regulations and laws. Short on skilled legal talent? See tips to make your case for hiring the compliance talent your legal department needs.
Keep an eye on pending legislation and upcoming regulations that may impact your business. Review proposed rule changes and start tracking the progress of bills through Congress that may impact your industry or practice areas. It's also a good time to consider your staffing needs. To meet end-of-year demand, many businesses choose to bring in contract legal professionals, recognizing the flexibility and cost-effectiveness of this approach. According to Robert Half research, 66% of managers at law firms and legal departments plan to hire contract workers to support vacation/holiday coverage or seasonal project needs during the fourth quarter. By bringing in temporary legal talent at the right time, firms can alleviate staffing gaps, keep high-priority projects on track and avoid the risk of burnout among permanent staff. Remember, compliance is more than ticking boxes—it's a cornerstone of business success and longevity. By reviewing your legal compliance positions, you'll help position your business for a confident start to the new year, fully aligned with regulatory and legal requirements. Find the legal talent you need today.