If you recently launched a business, congratulations! Now, you need to run your company per the law. Otherwise, you risk legal penalties.

Learn laws relevant to your business. And remember: business regulations constantly change. Thus, you need to stay up to date on business legislation and ensure your company complies with the latest requirements.

Here are five areas to review as you try to stay in the loop regarding business regulations.

1. Coronavirus (COVID-19) Safety

Concerns persist about a business’s legal liabilities if an employee, customer, or visitor contracts COVID-19 at its workplace or as a result of its actions. At this point, businesses should not fear potential COVID-19 litigation. However, they should do everything in their power to guard against the spread of COVID-19.

Follow U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance for responding to COVID-19. Then, your business can comply with the most up-to-date CDC best practices for COVID-19 safety.

2. CAN-SPAM Act Compliance

The CAN-SPAM Act sets rules for sets for commercial emails. It gives email recipients the right to stop receiving messages from your company. If your business continues to send emails to a recipient after he or she asks you to stop, you could face penalties up to $43,792.

Comply with CAN-SPAM Act’s requirements for emails. If possible, keep a list of these requirements at your disposal, so you can review it before you send emails to prospects and customers.

3. Data Breach Notification

Cybercriminals attack businesses of all sizes and across all industries. Even if your company works diligently to secure its networks and systems, hackers can launch successful attacks. In these instances, cybercriminals can access sensitive business data. At these times, you must address the problem and notify your stakeholders about a data breach.

Your company can leverage state-of-the-art technologies to guard against cyberattacks. Plus, you can purchase liability insurance to help cover the costs associated with these attacks.

Meanwhile, if your networks or systems are compromised, don’t wait to notify anyone who may be affected. Maintain clear communication with stakeholders, and ensure they can quickly and easily reach out to your business if they have concerns or questions about the breach.

4. Employee Compensation

Your business must be well-equipped to compensate its employees. If you cannot pay your workers, you risk employee lawsuits. Also, your company can suffer brand reputation damage.

It helps to establish a budget before you hire employees. With a budget in place, you can ensure you have sufficient funds available to cover your employee costs and other business expenses.

5. Permits and Licenses

If you run your business out of your home, you must comply with various licensing, zoning, and permit requirements. Most of these requirements are consistent nationwide. Yet, some requirements apply in specific states.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers insights into licensing, zoning, and permit requirements for home-based companies. You can also contact your local chamber of commerce to get information about permits, licenses, and other business and employment regulations.

The Bottom Line on Running Your Business Legally

You are required to operate your business in alignment with local, state, and federal regulations. Learn these regulations and comply with them, and you can protect your company against legal ramifications.

Beau Peters is a freelance writer from the Pacific Northwest with a passion for purpose-driven business content.