Hurricane-Related Layoffs and Unemployment Claims: What Employers Need to Know
In the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, many businesses have fallen on hard times, some to the point where layoffs have been unavoidable. If your business has had to lay off employees due to the storm and the flooding that ensued, here’s what you need to know about employees filing unemployment claims. Regular Unemployment Insurance (UI) […]
Is Your Employee Handbook Due for an Update?
With the end of the year insight, this is a perfect time to review your employee policies and procedures manual and identify portions that may be outdated so you start 2018 with a handbook that is up to date. We’ve seen some recent court decisions that had a significant impact on employer/employee relations, as did […]
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA): What Employers Need to Know
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) was enacted in 1993 with the goal of helping employees strike a balance between family and work life. With a new administration coming into power in Washington, we may see some changes to the law in the months and years to come. Here’s an overview of what employers should […]
Are Employers in Texas Responsible for Injuries to Temporary Employees Assigned by Staffing Companies?
In most cases, Texas employers are not required to participate in workers’ compensation insurance. Employers who opt out of workers’ comp are not immune from personal injury suits filed by their employees … but what about temporary workers from temp agencies and staffing companies? Recently a worker at a Tractor Supply distribution center in Waco […]
Study: Workplace Bullying on the Rise
As the issue of bullying in schools continues to occupy the national spotlight, researchers are discovering another environment where bullying behavior is having negative impact: the workplace. In a 2017 study by the Workplace Bullying Institute (WBI), more than 60 million U.S. workers reported having been affected by workplace bullying, which the WBI defines as “repeated harmful […]
Employee Dating Policies in the #MeToo Era
The recent #MeToo movement has shone a spotlight on widespread sexual harassment in the workplace, leading many employers to reevaluate their employee dating policies. The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) advises that while an employer should not necessarily try to limit any and all on- or off-duty contact or relationships between employees, it may certainly impose reasonable limits […]
2nd Circuit: Title VII Covers Sexual Orientation – 5th Circuit and Most Circuits Still Say It Does Not
Last month the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit in New York ruled that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 — the federal law that bans sex discrimination — also applies to claims of discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 […]
Are Employers Required to Offer Vacation Leave?
As the summer season gets underway, many employees will be planning to take vacations … and some employers may have questions about their responsibilities concerning vacation leave. Under Texas law, employers are not required to offer employees vacation benefits, either paid or unpaid. Vacation leave is considered a benefit that the employer may choose to offer […]
Hiring Summer Interns: What Texas Employers Need to Know
With the end of the school year just weeks away, this is the perfect time to think about hiring your summer interns. Intern programs can be beneficial for both the intern and the employer, and it’s important to be aware of your legal responsibilities. Intern or Employee? The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requires for-profit […]
Policies for Inclement Weather: What Employers Need to Know
As we enter the summer, we enter hurricane season in Texas. While employers have a duty to keep their businesses running, they must also balance the safety of their employees. This is especially true when the weather creates potentially hazardous travel conditions. Your Severe Weather Policy To prepare for these situations, it’s essential to have an inclement […]