Changing the joint-employer policy is applying tension to franchisor-franchisee relationships. A new IFA-U.S. Chamber of Commerce report could be an important entry into the policy debate in Washington, D.C. and around the country as IFA seeks a permanent solution to protect franchise businesses from undeserved liability for another firm’s workers.

Almost halfway through 2016, legislative challenges still await the franchise industry before the year’s end. IFA is already making proactive and defensive plans for 2017, including the possibility of new joint employer legislation.

Far-reaching measure’s impact also affects overtime pay, union organizing efforts. Franchisees urged to join industry push against measures in Washington, D.C. Sept. 13-14.

“The threat of unlimited, unpredictable joint-employer liability is very scary. It threatens everything my partners and colleagues have worked to build in our community.” — SoldierFit CEO and founder Danny Farrar, testifying before Congress in opposition to the joint-employer rule.

IFA’s state association allies remain strong frontlines of defense and offense for the franchise business model.

A primary topic of discussion at #IFA2016 has been the franchise industry’s response to attempts by U.S. federal regulators to impose a new definition of “joint employer” on the nation’s small business owners and upend the franchise business model. At the Opening General Session on Sunday, convention attendees were welcomed by two Texas lawmakers who have been champions for the franchise industry in Congress: Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) and Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas).

Is it a sign of loosening partisan logjam or is Congress just settling for the “lowest common denominator?”



 



By Kevin Serafino



Since the Affordable Care Act was signed into law in 2010, business groups have sought to make changes to the law

For more than a year, the franchise business community and thousands of independent contractors, retailers, and small business owners have feared the creation of a new “joint employer” standard by the U.S. National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). On Aug. 27, 2015, that nightmare became reality.

There are many threats facing the franchise industry today. One of the the IFA Supplier Forum’s undertakings is to provide members with information to better understand these threats and provide the means to support the IFA’s drive to turn the legislative tide facing the industry.

Case is yet another example of the federal department’s coordinated agenda against franchise small businesses.