Are There Limits to Uniform Requirements in Texas?
In various industries, employers throughout the state of Texas require employees to wear uniforms or to comply with dress code standards. Many employers in Texas need to understand their obligations concerning uniform requirements and dress codes for employees to ensure that they remain in compliance with state and federal law. Generally speaking, employers in Texas […]
Employers Offering Early Retirement — Dos and Don’ts
Many employers in Texas and across the country began offering early retirement options for employees as a result of the economic downturn due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As many businesses have continued to struggle, or to reassess the nature of the work they are asking of employees, employers have continued to think through whether it […]
When Should We Update Our Employment Handbook and Policies?
It is important for all Texas businesses to have employment handbooks and policies, and to ensure that these materials are updated regularly. You might initially assume that once your company’s employment handbook and workplace policies are created, they only need updating when there are obvious changes to be made. However, a smarter strategy is to […]
Complying with Posting Requirements for Remote Workers
Employers in Texas must comply with requirements to provide employees with notices concerning their rights and workplace safety issues through posters. These posters are designed to provide employees with information about their rights under both Texas state and federal law. Failure to display one or more of the required posters can result in liability for […]
Simon Paschal Says: Flexibility is Key
It’s August 2021. We all thought COVID would be behind us at this point. We are all exhausted. We are all mentally drained. And as employers, you’ve spent the last nearly year and a half dealing with workplace changes, new laws, and constantly changing agency guidance. Unfortunately, though, it looks like the rest of 2021 […]
Is the Biden Administration Eliminating Non-Compete Agreements?
On July 9, 2021, President Biden signed an Executive Order on Promoting Competition in the American Economy. The EO outlines a need to create a fair, open, and competitive marketplace. A lot of the areas identified are non-employment related areas such as cable/internet providers and costs, farming, and government contracts. The EO does, however, contain […]
Federal Court in Texas Confirms Employers Can Mandate COVID-19 Vaccine
In June, a judge in the U.S. District Court of Texas – Southern Division, confirmed employers can terminate employees for refusing to get the COVID-19 vaccine. In a lawsuit brought by more than 100 employees at Houston Methodist Hospital, U.S. District Judge Hughes granted Methodist’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit. The employees attempted to allege […]
Changes Employers Need to Know Regarding Texas Sexual Harassment Law
Starting on September 1, 2021, Texas’ sexual harassment law will have some fairly significant changes. This past summer, both the Texas state house and senate passed amendments to Section 21 of the Texas Labor Code. The most significant change is that the law will now apply to companies with one employee or more (previously the […]
Amazon Abandons Arbitration: Should My Company Follow Suit?
You are likely already bound by many mandatory arbitration clauses tucked away in your contractual agreements, whether as an employer, employee, or even a consumer. This has traditionally been the route for companies hoping to deter class action claims from customers and employees, and to keep their disputes out of the public eye. However, after […]
Understanding the Whistleblower Lawsuit Against Attorney General Paxton
Who is an employer in Texas and who counts as an employee according to the Texas Whistleblower Act? Those are questions that surround the lawsuit against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who is facing claims from four former aides under Texas whistleblower law. According to a recent report in the Texas Tribune, those four former […]
