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Texas

Beware legal risks of raising employees’ titles in lieu of pay

05/29/2015
When budgets for raises are lean, it’s tempting to reward employees with a better title than a hefty pay increase. That’s risky.

Impatient court grants quick dismissal of pro se case

05/29/2015
Courts are losing patience with employees who act as their own lawyers in discrimination cases but don’t complain to the EEOC before filing lawsuits. A federal court recently gave such a pro se litigant just 15 days to prove she had first gone to the commission.

Using slurs at work isn’t ‘free speech’

05/29/2015

Public employees have the right to speak their minds on matters of public importance without punishment. However, that right is clearly limited. A public employee can’t claim that free speech includes the right to use derogatory terms at work.

Don’t sweat legit transfers: Lateral moves OK if they truly don’t affect pay and benefits

05/29/2015

In order to claim that a transfer or a realignment of duties qualifies as an adverse employment action, employees must show that the transfer or job changes were somehow potentially harmful. That’s especially true in the case of job changes that spring from a lateral move across the organization chart, with the same pay and benefits.

Another reason to keep good records: Proving when you made decision to terminate

05/29/2015

Could you explain to a court exactly when you decided to fire an employee? If not, you need a system for tracking your decision-making process. That can be invaluable, as this case shows.

No such thing as ‘overqualified’: Don’t automatically reject skilled older applicant

05/29/2015
Older workers tend to have more overall experience and may seem overqualified for entry-level positions. Don’t reject those candidates, though. Doing so may set you up for a discrimination lawsuit.

Houston strip club owners appeal jury’s award to dancers

05/29/2015
The legal dance between Tiffany’s Cabaret in Houston and two former performers is not quite over. The club’s parent company has appealed a jury’s six-figure award to the exotic dancers.

Transfer usually not adverse employment action

05/29/2015
It’s illegal to punish employees for engaging in protected activity. But for an employer to be liable, the punishment would have to be significant. Minor changes in an employee’s job aren’t enough.

Retaining younger workers but terminating older ones? Better have a good reason

05/08/2015
If you happen to fire an older worker but retain younger ones, you should expect a potential age discrimination lawsuit. If you’re prepared, you stand a dramatically better chance of winning.

How can we structure a policy that lets us search employees’ belongings?

05/04/2015
Q. I am worried that some of my employees are storing illicit or illegal items at work. Is there a way for me to legally search their belongings?