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Texas

Get it in writing: Creating effective and legal job descriptions

09/24/2010
Job descriptions are the cornerstone of communication between management and staff. Good job descriptions make sure bosses and employees alike know what kind of performance is expected. They’re the basis of every effective performance-appraisal system. At a minimum, a job description should include these elements:

Courts frown on bosses blaming subordinates for shortcomings

09/20/2010

Here’s something to consider when disciplining a supervisor or manager: She probably won’t be able to get away with blaming a subordinate for her own poor performance. Employers are entitled to expect managers to manage.

EEOC takes on ‘Cheaters,’ settles harassment case

09/09/2010

The Dallas-based owners and producers of the “Cheaters” syndicated television show—which highlights cases of sexual infidelity—have agreed to pay $50,000 to settle an EEOC sexual harassment lawsuit. Among the allegations: Two female office assistants were subjected to sexually explicit remarks and unwelcome touching by the company’s owner and upper-management staff.

Can we legally a hire a foreign national?

09/08/2010
Q. Our software company is considering hiring a Canadian citizen for a computer systems analyst position. Does the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) allow us to hire this individual?

Will we run into legal trouble if we commit to hiring only ‘careful’ workers?

09/08/2010
Q. Several recent hires have suffered work-related injuries shortly after starting to work for us. As a result, our workers’ compensation premiums have soared. Our CEO, in an effort to avoid this problem, has directed managers to hire only “careful” workers in the future. Is this legal?

What can we do about an employee who has been blasting us on his personal web site?

09/08/2010
Q. One of my employees has created his own web site and has been posting negative comments about our company. Specifically, he has accused the company of failing to provide adequate benefits and paying below-market wages. Can we fire this worker for this conduct?

Sight-impaired officer sees red, sues for ADA violations

09/08/2010
A former detention officer for the Hunt County Sheriff’s Office has filed suit against Hunt County and Sheriff Randy Meeks, claiming she was discriminated against on the basis of her disabilities: myopia and astigmatism.

Employee says workers’ comp claim led to firing

09/08/2010
The oil-field communications company RigNet faces a lawsuit alleging it fired an injured field technician after he filed for workers’ compensation benefits.

You don’t always have to be right–just honest

09/08/2010
Don’t fret needlessly that every decision you make is the absolute correct one. What really counts is that you acted fairly and honestly. Good faith is all that is required, as the following case shows.

Don’t write overly broad restrictions into noncompetes

09/08/2010
Noncompete covenants in Texas must be limited to a reasonable geographic area or they aren’t enforceable. Unfortunately for employers, that geographic area is usually fairly small.