Wage Deductions: Can I Dock Costs from Employee Wages?
Texas employers may be able to make deductions from employee wages under certain circumstances, but it is essential for employers to know that they must do so in compliance with the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and the Texas Payday Law. Under federal and state law, certain types of deductions are always permitted, while […]
Minimum Wage and Overtime Exceptions: Understanding the Outside Sales Exemption
Employers in Texas and throughout the U.S. are required to pay employees a minimum wage unless they are exempt. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), there are a wide variety of workers who may be exempt, which means the employer is not required to pay the minimum wage and/or overtime compensation. However, it is […]
Do Texas Employers Have to Pay Employees for Work Missed Due to Inclement Weather?
The recent 2021 winter storm in Texas shut down a large portion of the state for the week. Lack of electricity forced the closing of many businesses. Those businesses that were able to stay open had numerous absences from employees who could not travel to work because of the snow and ice or could not […]
Transacting Business in Multiple States
Are you registered to do business in every state in which you provide services? What about those states in which your client is based but you provide all your services remote? Or that state in which you have a remote employee who moved away from your corporate office when most businesses transitioned to remote workers […]
10 Workplace Investigation Mistakes to Avoid
Employers should conduct timely investigations when they receive complaints concerning safety, harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and ethics since various federal laws either provide employers a defense in lawsuits if they conduct investigations or require employers to conduct investigations. In addition to any investigation, the employer must also take any action necessary to correct and stop the […]
Prohibited Job Application & Interview Questions
Allowed Job Interview & Application Questions Under various Federal (and Texas) laws, it is illegal for an employer to discriminate against a job applicant because of his or her race, color, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age (40 or older), veteran’s status, disability or genetic information. While these restrictions would seem to prohibit a fairly […]
Non-Compete and Non-Solicitation Agreements in Texas
Companies have a vested interest in protecting their trade secrets. To do so, they often ask employees to sign non-compete agreements, also known as restrictive covenants. These agreements are meant to prevent an employee from leaving the company and setting up a competing business down the road using knowledge gained from their former employer. Employers […]
Workplace Posters Required in Texas
Employers in Texas are required to display notices or posters in the workplace to inform employees of their rights and protections afforded by federal and state labor laws. There are certain workplace posters that must be displayed by all employers. Requirements for other posters vary based on number of employees, industry, and other factors. Workplace […]
Independent Contractor vs. Employee
Your Texas business may use independent contractors and employees to perform similar, if not the same duties from week to week. While the work they perform and their responsibilities may seem very similar, it is critically important that, as an employer, you understand the differences between independent contractors vs. employees. The differences between these two […]
Keeping Your Goals in Mind When Using a Business Merger Attorney
A business merger is a serious legal issue that needs to be carefully thought out. When you consider bringing two businesses together, make sure to focus on goals. Think about what it is that you want for the future of your company. Whether it’s obtaining additional market share, acquiring new products, or even eliminating the competition, your focus should be on this […]
