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Fighting the Four Horsemen of the Workforce Apocalypse

Since at least 2008, Flood, Fire, Famine and Pestilence have ravaged the construction workforce across America. In the downturn, many workers left the industry never to return. Others left the U.S. and have not returned....more

Game Changer? New Sex Discrimination Case Regarding Sexual Orientation

Discrimination based on sex is illegal. Does that include sexual orientation? It depends on where you live. In Texas, discrimination based on sexual orientation may be inappropriate, but it is not illegal. Elsewhere in the...more

ICE is coming for Undocumented Workers – How to Prevent Corporate Frostbite

Whatever your political views, undocumented workers and the businesses that knowingly or unknowingly employ them are coming under the microscope. If you compile recent headlines, you’ll know the President has implemented...more

Landmen as Independent Contractors: Is the government’s voluntary settlement program too good to pass up?

The days of the lone landman driving around the back roads taking leases and visiting courthouses are becoming a thing of the past. Though there are still a few independent landmen who fit this mold, clients have demanded...more

New Overtime Regulations Frozen – to Death? What You Need to Know About the Overtime Rule Injunction Issued Nov. 22, 2016

On March 13, 2014, President Barack Obama issued a presidential memorandum directing the Secretary of Labor to “modernize and streamline the existing overtime regulations”. The Department of Labor (DOL) took action and, in...more

When Can Employee Policies Be Amended?

Thinking about changing an employee policy in Texas? Kubala v. Supreme Production Services, Inc. says you can do it (almost) whenever you want. Want to make employees arbitrate their disputes? You can do that too....more

Federal Changes to Overtime Exemptions

For the last year, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has been working on proposed rule changes related to overtime exemptions. These changes are designed to substantially decrease the number of employees who are exempt from...more

What You Need to Know About the Federal Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016

President Obama is expected to sign the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016 (DTSA), which was passed by Congress at the end of April 2016. This law could impact your property protection, litigation and employment law strategies....more

Employment Law 101: National Origin, Citizenship & Immigration Status Discrimination

Who does it apply to: Part of the protection comes from Title VII, which applies to employers with 15 or more employees. An overlapping part of the protection comes from the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA), which...more

Employment Law 101: Race Discrimination

Who, What, Why . . . Who does it apply to: The law applies to all employers regardless of size. What is the issue: The Civil Rights Act of 1866 was passed to prohibit racial discrimination in contracts of...more

Voting Rights

Who does it apply to: The Texas Election Code rules for employee voting rights and time off apply to all Texas employers. Can I do it myself: Who is protected: All employees, including temporary or seasonal workers, are...more

Wage and Hour Claims Menace Producers

It’s common knowledge: Fair Labor Standards Act audits from the U. S. Department of Labor and lawsuits from workers for overtime violations are coming faster than a blitzing safety on a third and long. Native Oilfield...more

Employment Law 101: Religious Discrimination

Who does it apply to: The law applies to all employers with 15 or more employees. What is the issue: Title VII was passed in the 1960s to protect against discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex or national origin....more

Employment Law 101: Jury Duty

Who does it apply to: The Jurors Right to Reemployment Act and the Jury System Improvement Act of 1978 applies to all employers in Texas. These laws protect the employment status of those employees serving jury duty in either...more

Employment Law 101: Sex Discrimination

Who does it apply to: The law applies to all employers with 15 or more employees. What is the issue: Title VII was passed in the 1960s to protect against discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex or national...more

Employment Law 101: Americans with Disabilities Act

Who does it apply to: The law applies to all employers with 15 or more employees. What is the issue: It is against the law to discriminate against an employee or a prospective employee based on a disability the person...more

The $185 Million – Yes – $185,000,000 Single Employee Discrimination Case

On November 17, a federal jury returned a verdict against AutoZone in favor of a single plaintiff for the insane amount of $185,000,000.00 in punitive damages. The plaintiff alleged gender and pregnancy-related harassment,...more

Corporate Wellness Programs: It’s Time for a Check-Up

The EEOC is back at it! This time it has targeted corporate wellness programs and is challenging the legality of such programs under the ADA. The EEOC contends that the biometric testing and health risk assessments are...more

Employment Law 101: Employee Handbooks

Who, What, Why . . . Who does it apply to: It is up to you. A business with two employees might benefit from an employee handbook. A business with 100 might function fine without one. There are no legal rules about...more

EEOC Trying to Change the “Status” for Transgendered Employees

On September 25, 2014, the EEOC filed lawsuits in Florida and Michigan accusing employers of discriminating against transgendered employees. These are the first two cases ever filed seeking to protect transgender workers...more

Shop ‘til You Drop – But Take a Day to Pray

Retail stores cannot force an employee to work seven consecutive days without giving the employee one day off to worship or rest. Like the ADA, retail stores must also accommodate the religious beliefs of employees unless it...more

Employment Law 101: Worksite Lactation Breaks

According to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, all employers with more than 50 employees nationwide are required to comply. Employers with less than 50 employees may not comply if it would be an undue hardship....more

Losing My Religion: Do I Want to Know My Employee’s Beliefs?

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals recently updated employees’ guide to southern manners. Don’t worry, employees should still say “yes ma’am” and “no ma’am.” But you know the old saying that you should never discuss politics...more

Employment Law 101: Pregnancy Discrimination

What is the issue: Title VII was passed in the 1960’s to protect against discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex or national origin. Since that time, other laws have been passed adding protection against...more

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