For many employers, running credit checks on job applicants is a regular part of the hiring process. But employers also need to be very careful when they use background credit checks for job applicants. They must weigh their need to know with a person’s right to privacy.

The resolution of the standoff in a Wisconsin state-employee union contract “negotiation” has all union locals and contractors paying close attention throughout the country. All have been wondering what the ramifications will be for them. We asked a sheet metal union executive and a unionized HVAC contractor a few questions to compare their points of view.

In North Carolina, contractor Greg Crumpton likes to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to technology. His company, AirTight, is based in Charlotte, and serves commercial, industrial, and mission critical customers within a 100-mile radius.

This country’s recent economic problems have caused strains on most small business owner’s cash flows, making it harder than ever to cover one’s overhead. The result is that many self-employed people are facing lawsuits from creditors, vendors, and suppliers, more so than from unhappy customers.

An Android phone, Gmail, and 500-plus followers on Twitter. That doesn’t sound like the typical description of an HVAC contractor, but it sums up Rob Benefiel in a nutshell. In an earlier era, Benefiel, owner of Certified Comfort Heating and Cooling, would not have been able to start and run his business the way he does today.

It is no surprise that the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is not a fan of medical marijuana, which has been legalized in 15 states and the District of Columbia. According to the DEA, the campaign to allow marijuana to be used as medicine is a maneuver in a strategy to legalize all drugs. But thousands can now use marijuana legally in order to treat various maladies.

For many employers, properly calculating overtime can feel like an unending process. Factoring in break times can be complicated. Employees who may seem exempt from overtime may actually be entitled to it under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Unfortunately, miscalculating overtime can be costly for companies in terms of fines and lawsuits.

Complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has always required employers to walk a fine line. The guidelines aren’t always clear, every disability and particular situation involve a unique set of factors, and the laws are constantly developing. Many are still trying to sort out the implications of the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA).

It may be hard to believe, but Apple launched its iPad less than a year ago. Since then, its popularity has soared. As the iPad has taken the world by storm, it has also made its way into the HVAC industry. Read this article to learn how a contractor and a distributor are pioneering the use of the iPad as a key tool in their businesses.

Gas prices across the nation have been on a steep upward trend, and the end of price hikes is not yet in sight. From mid-February to the first week in March, national average gas prices rose $0.33. By the middle of March, AAA reported that the national average price for a gallon of regular gas was approximately $3.553 and diesel was $3.93.