How Does Sabine Pilot Service v. Hauck Apply to Current Legal Issues?
In 1985, the Supreme Court of Texas decided the case of Sabine Pilot Service, Inc. v. Hauck. The ruling has become a significant one for employers in Texas because it concerns an employee who filed a claim against his employer after he refused to commit an illegal act. The Texas Supreme Court established a limited […]
Are Employers Required to Provide Appropriate PPE for Employees?
If you own a business in Dallas and have employees, you probably have a wide variety of questions about your responsibilities as an employer during the COVID-19 pandemic. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued recommendations for safe in-person workplaces that include personal protective equipment (PPE), depending upon the type of […]
California Attorney General Says Rideshare Drivers are Employees, Not Independent Contractors
If you are an employer in Texas who hires independent contractors with any frequency, or even on a temporary basis, you should be paying attention to the rideshare lawsuit in California. As outlined in a recent article in The New York Times, California sued Uber and Lyft, two prominent rideshare companies, alleging that they have […]
Are There Notice Requirements for Laying Off or Furloughing Employees?
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, many employers in Dallas and across Texas have had to contend with severe economic losses. As a result of business closures and lost revenue, many employers in Dallas have had to furlough or lay off employees. We know that this is an incredibly difficult process for many employers, and we also […]
How COVID-19 Affects Workers’ Compensation Claims
Many employers in Texas closed temporarily during the stay-at-home orders issued in March, leading to many employees working from home. At the same time, many businesses classified as “essential” remained open during the stay-home orders, continuing to employ workers. In the past weeks, Texas has begun opening up again, and many businesses have reopened and […]
Employment Law Issues to Consider Before Reopening Your Business
In Texas, many businesses have started the process of reopening after stay-at-home orders designed to prevent the spread of COVID-19 infections have been lifted. As many employers consider reopening their businesses in Dallas and throughout Texas, it is important to consider a variety of legal and liability issues that could impact your business. While distinct […]
A Season of Change for Human Resources
On Saturday, June 20, we marked the official start of summer. That day is known as the summer solstice, the longest day of the year and the day on which the sun reaches its highest and northernmost points in the sky. With the start of summer, we close out spring and we turn to thoughts […]
US Supreme Court Issues LGBT Discrimination Decision
On June 15, 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a 6-3 opinion in which the Court extended Title VII’s anti-discrimination protections to LGBT workers. Justice Gorsuch authored the majority opinion and was joined by Chief Justice Roberts and Justices Ginsburg, Breyer, Sotomayor, and Kagan. The majority decided the case on a very simple basis – […]
Protect Against Sexual Harassment Claims for Remote Work
Now that businesses throughout the Dallas area have shifted to remote work as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, many employees find themselves working online from home. Meetings that may have been held in-person within the office setting or around a workplace conference table have now shifted to Zoom or other virtual meeting platforms. Yet, […]
Can I Require Employees to Wear Masks or Other Equipment?
** This post was originally made in May 2020 but has been updated due to recent changes. Be aware that as a result of the fluid situation involving COVID-19, the below is up to date as of late June 2020. Things could change that affect the below. We will do our best to update but […]
