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Texas

Make sure suspension policies apply equally to all

09/17/2012
Sometimes, when investigating serious charges against an employee, it’s best to temporarily suspend him. If you use this approach, always do so uniformly and apply the same rules to similarly situated workers. Don’t, for example, suspend some with pay and others without.

Was firing retaliation? Lufkin faces bias lawsuit

09/04/2012
A former Lufkin Industries employee is suing the oil field equipment manufacturer, alleging he was fired for complaining about racial discrimination.

Donna’s former accountant, would-be city manager sues

09/04/2012
The city of Donna’s former accountant is suing the South Texas town, claiming she wasn’t chosen to become city manager because she is a non-Hispanic woman.

AT&T’s phone or its supervisor: Was either at fault?

09/04/2012
A former employee at AT&T’s Houston facility has filed a racial discrimination complaint against the telecommunications giant, claiming he was fired by a boss who was motivated by racial bias.

Midland oil company, Hispanic workers settle harassment suit

09/04/2012
Three employees of Midland-based crude oil producer Blue Ridge Resources have agreed to settle a national-origin harassment lawsuit against the company. Blue Ridge will pay the three men $43,000 for failing to train their supervisor and investigate the men’s complaints.

Fight in-house fraud by knowing who–and what–to watch for

09/04/2012
There are plenty of ways for organizations to lose money—bad business decisions, tough competition, fickle markets. But one of the most insidious fiscal perils: employees who steal. Here’s a sketch of whom and what to watch out for in your workplace.

OK to place limits on meal break activities

09/04/2012

Under the FLSA, employees are supposed to be re­­lieved of all duties during meal periods. If they’re not, then meal breaks are considered paid time. That doesn’t mean employers can’t prohibit some meal break activities without having to pay employees.

Make sure training is available to all

09/04/2012
Everyone who is qualified should have a chance to participate in your training programs.

Unauthorized overtime is your problem! Take steps to stop it–and punish rule-breakers

09/04/2012
According to the FLSA, even if you don’t know someone is working overtime, you can be sued if you underpay. The good news is you can crack down on unauthorized overtime by punishing an em­­ployee for failing to follow your clearly articulated no-unauthorized-overtime rule.

Houston defense firm pays up in ‘regarded as disabled’ case

09/04/2012
BAE Systems Tactical Vehicle Sys­­tems of Houston has agreed to settle a disability discrimination suit filed on behalf of a morbidly obese former employee.