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Texas

Dig into harassment case to learn what really happened

03/08/2018

There’s aren’t many ways for an employer to defend against allegations that a supervisor sexually harassed a subordinate. But a careful investigation may uncover evidence that the relationship was wholly consensual, which may help.

Have a good reason for acting? Stick with it!

02/27/2018

The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals has refused to overturn a $150,000 jury verdict against a real estate developer. A female sales associate had filed the complaint after her employer transferred her to a less lucrative development, resulting in a significant pay cut.

Impartial discipline: The best defense against bias claims

02/20/2018

Treat all employees impartially and you’ll rarely end up on the losing end of a discrimination lawsuit.

No slack for employees who take FMLA, then get caught breaking your rules

02/20/2018

Employees who take FMLA leave are not immune to discipline discovered while they are out on FMLA leave or after they return to work.

Tax reform stifles #MeToo settlement deductions

01/31/2018

While motivation for this new provision was a well-intentioned nod to the #MeToo movement, it may have unforeseen consequences. 

After settlement disclosure, Farenthold won’t run again

01/31/2018

Rep. Blake Farenthold, who represents the Corpus Christi area in the U.S. House of Representatives, has announced he will retire from Congress at the end of his current term after it was revealed that taxpayers footed the bill for a 2014 settlement paid to a former aide who accused him of sexual harassment.

Filing deadline begins with accommodation denial

01/31/2018

Workers have just 300 days following an alleged violation to file an EEOC complaint claiming ADA disability discrimination. The clock starts ticking when the reasonable accommodation the employee requested is turned down, even if the employer then provided a different accommodation instead of the requested one.

Talk to your lawyer before switching to commissions

01/31/2018

If you are thinking of establishing a system of commissions to create new sales incentives, consult your attorney first. Errors are common.

Your in-house ‘expert’ can’t be used to prove employee should have been fired

01/31/2018

A federal trial court hearing a Texas case has concluded that employers can’t use expert testimony to tell a jury that a discharge was justifiable based on a review of a worker’s employment records. That’s for a jury to decide.

Guard against retaliation any time employee makes internal complaint about pay

01/31/2018

When a worker complains about being underpaid, that may be protected activity and punishing the worker for complaining may be retaliation. Advice: Take all compensation complaints seriously. Make sure supervisors don’t retaliate.