Sensenig Law Firm

06/04/2026

Seven minutes may not sound like much.

But seven unpaid minutes per employee, per shift, over two years, with potential double damages and attorney’s fees, can become a very expensive “oops.”

The U.S. Department of Labor recently issued an Opinion Letter addressing pre-shift work, de minimis time, clock rounding, and when employers must pay non-exempt employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

The big takeaway? If an employee performs work that is integral to the job, they should be on the clock. And if your timekeeping system rounds time in a way that mostly benefits the employer, that is not a harmless shortcut. That is a problem.

Our latest article breaks down what employers need to know before a few minutes turn into a full-blown wage claim.

Read more: https://www.senseniglawfirm.com/news/2026/6/4/the-dol-issued-3-opinion-letters-this-month-time-to-pay-attention-todays-focus-the-pre-shift-activities-dol-opinion-letter

The DOL’s latest Opinion Letter tackles pre-shift work, de minimis time, clock rounding, and when employees must be paid under the FLSA. Employers should review timekeeping practices now to avoid small daily wage issues that can quickly become expensive legal problems.

05/28/2026

The FTC is back in the ring with non-compete agreements.

Again.

But before business owners panic, the bigger question is not whether non-competes are “banned.” It is whether they are the right tool in the first place.

In many cases, a non-compete is the legal equivalent of using a sledgehammer when a scalpel would do. A well-drafted non-solicitation agreement may protect your client relationships, confidential information, and business interests with far less drama.

Our latest article breaks down the FTC’s newest action, why the headline may be louder than the outcome, and why restrictive covenants should be drafted with strategy — not panic.

Read more:

The FTC is taking another swing at non-compete agreements, but business owners should not panic or assume every restrictive covenant is dead. Learn why non-solicitation clauses may offer stronger, cleaner protection for client relationships, confidential information, and legitimate business interest

05/22/2026

Is a Performance Improvement Plan now considered workplace “harm”?

After the Supreme Court’s 2024 decision in Muldrow v. City of St. Louis, employers had good reason to wonder whether the legal ground had shifted under their feet. The new standard lowered the bar from “significant harm” to “some harm” in Title VII discrimination claims.

Cue the employer panic. Reasonable. Not cute, but reasonable.

But Walsh v. HNTB gives business owners some much-needed breathing room. The court found that a PIP, by itself, is not automatically discriminatory or an adverse workplace action, especially when the employee completes the plan and keeps their job.

That does not mean PIPs are risk-free. It means they need to be fair, documented, consistent, and tied to actual performance issues.

Read the full article from Sensenig Law Firm at

After the Supreme Court’s Muldrow decision lowered the Title VII harm standard, employers feared routine workplace actions could trigger discrimination claims. Walsh v. HNTB offers some relief, finding a successful PIP is not automatically workplace “harm.” Here’s what business owners should...

05/18/2026

Have you been recorded by an AI notetaker yet?

Maybe at work. Maybe during a Zoom call. Maybe at a doctor’s office, somewhere between the clipboard, the HIPAA form, and the “I definitely read this” signature line.

AI notetakers may seem harmless, but the legal issues are anything but. Consent, confidentiality, data retention, attorney-client privilege, employment discrimination, and privacy risks are all on the table.

And yes, there’s already litigation.

Read the full article:

AI notetakers may seem convenient, but they can create serious privacy, consent, confidentiality, and employment law risks. Learn what businesses should consider before allowing AI tools to record meetings or handle sensitive information.

03/25/2026

Did you know 80% of businesses never sell? 🍷💼

On this episode of Wine by the Case, we sit down with business broker Jessica Peterson to talk about why most business sales fail — and how to make sure yours doesn’t.

We discuss:
💼 Messy books and unrealistic valuations
📉 Why owners wait too long to sell
🏢 Commercial real estate and business value
🧠 Succession and exit planning
📊 What buyers actually look for

Plus we feature a crisp 2021 Chenin Blanc from Herringer Estates.

👉 Watch the episode:

Why do only 2 out of 10 businesses actually sell? 🤯 In this episode of Wine by the Case, we sit down with real estate expert and business broker Jessica Pet...

03/19/2026

Scaling your business doesn’t mean hiring a full executive team anymore. 🍷💼
In this episode of Wine by the Case, Jen Smith breaks down how a fractional COO can help you grow smarter, streamline operations, and avoid unnecessary overhead.

We’re talking:
✔️ Fractional leadership (COO, CFO, CMO)
✔️ Legal + contract realities
✔️ The future of flexible work
✔️ And the big one… who are you without your title?

Plus, we’re sipping on a sparkling rosé that absolutely overdelivers 🍷

Watch now 👉

In this episode of Wine by the Case, we sit down with powerhouse entrepreneur Jen Smith, a fractional COO who is redefining how modern businesses operate.Fro...

03/11/2026

What do champagne, french fries, movie scenes, and a $92 Pinot Noir have in common? 🥂🍟🎥🍷

They’re all part of this fun, off-script episode of Wine by the Case. 🍷 💼

Instead of legal debates, we’re playing wine trivia while tasting Twomey Prince Hill Vineyards 2023 Dundee Hills Pinot Noir — a beautifully layered Oregon Pinot.

We debate:

🍟 Champagne with french fries
🍣 Sherry with sushi
🥓 Chardonnay with bacon sandwiches
🎬 Iconic wine moments in movies

Plus our full tasting review of this exceptional Dundee Hills Pinot.

Watch now:

On this episode of Wine by the Case, we trade legal insights for wine trivia — one card at a time — while savoring an exceptional Oregon Pinot Noir.We’re sip...

03/04/2026

🍷⚖️ Big Tech is in the hot seat.

On this episode of Wine by the Case, we pour Theorize Napa Cab 2019 while unpacking lawsuits against Meta and CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

Can social media algorithms be held legally responsible for addiction and mental health impacts?

We dive into:
📱 Tobacco-style lawsuits against tech
⚖️ Corporate vs. parental responsibility
👓 Privacy concerns with Meta smart glasses
🧠 The ethics of algorithm design

Plus — our honest tasting notes on this bold Napa Cabernet.

Watch the episode:

On this episode of Wine by the Case – Uncorking Legal Insights One Bottle at a Time, we’re sipping Theorize Napa Cab 2019 while unpacking one of the most tal...

02/25/2026

🥉 Bronze medal. Global spotlight. One shocking confession.

On Episode 45 of Wine by the Case, we break down the viral Olympic moment when Norwegian biathlete Sturla Holm Lægreid publicly admitted infidelity during a live post-race interview.

What happens when a personal decision becomes international news?

⚖️ Reputational risk
📱 Viral amplification
📜 Morals clauses & endorsements
🎭 Authentic remorse vs. performative redemption

🍷 Paired with Etna Bianco from Sicily’s volcanic slopes.

Watch now: https://youtu.be/T1WbXvvYb74?si=ch_gxBLPF6AbFWZJ

The court of public opinion never adjourns.

02/20/2026

🍷✈️ New Wine by the Case Episode

A viral airplane seat dispute sparked a social media firestorm — but what does the law actually say?

This week, Chris Sensenig and Alexis Rosenberg break down:

📱 Filming strangers on flights
⚖️ Airline duties & passenger rights
🪑 Seat switching etiquette
🚫 When public outrage becomes harassment

Plus, a review of Scarlet Path Zinfandel (Lodi, CA).

Because at 30,000 feet, no one owes you their seat — and the internet isn’t a courtroom.

Watch now:

🍷✈️ Episode 44🎙️ This week on Wine by the Case, we open a budget Zinfandel while breaking down a viral airplane incident where a passenger became the targe...