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Texas Expanded protections for Employees in regards to Sexual Harassment Claims
Two new laws passed by Texas Legislature taking effect as of September 1, 2021 will change Sexual Harassment Claims in the State of Texas. These changes brought more protection to employees whom may be the victim of sexual harassment in the workplace Expanded Definition of “Employer” Under Senate Bill 45, which Governor Greg Abbott…
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Employment Law: Taking time off from work to go Vote
With the first day of Early Voting on February 14, 2022 and extending through February 25, 2022, I thought it would be a good idea to let people know that they need to talk with their employer about allowing them to go vote. In the State of Texas, Employers must permit their employee’s absence from…
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Employment Law: Religious Discrimination, Harassment, Segregation, or Failure to Accomodate
Both federal and Texas laws prohibit discrimination on the basis of an employee’s religious practices or beliefs: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and Texas Labor Code respectively. As with other forms of discrimination, it is illegal for an employer to hire, fire, or affect an employee’s terms or conditions of employment because of the…
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Employment Law Claims During Covid-19 Pandemic
An Employers Deliberate Failure to Protect Workers from Coronavirus Exposure may be Actionable. Whether or not you were an essential employee during shelter in place orders or returned to the workplace after those orders were lifted, you might have faced an unreasonable risk of COVID-19 exposure if your employer failed to take reasonable steps to…
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Family Medical Leave Act amidst COVID 19
Now’s the time to find out if you are covered or your employer is subject to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a federal law that lets covered employees take extended time away from work, to handle certain family or medical needs. Many states have…
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A Message to our Clients Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic
In response to COVID-19 Pandemic, there have been numerous Orders from various governmental entities that affect the practice of law here in Hidalgo County and throughout the State of Texas. To comply with these Orders, ensure the safety of our clients and employees, and to do our part to help flattening the curve, we are…
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Common Violations in Employment Law # 3: Workers Compensation Retaliation
Texas Law prohibits discrimination against employees who make or pursue workers’ compensation claims. Presently located at Chapter 451 of the Labor Code, the anti-retaliation provision prohibits an employer from discharging or otherwise discriminating against an employee because that employee has filed a workers’ compensation claim in good faith or otherwise acted in furtherance of his…
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When do I get my Paycheck after leaving a job?
Whether you are fired, laid off, or voluntarily quit your job, state and federal laws govern how promptly your former employer must issue your last paycheck. While federal law establishes a minimum requirement, state laws differ on how soon you must be paid after leaving your job. Additionally, many state laws carve out separate final…
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Common Violations in Employment Law #2: Employee or Independent Contractor?
Owning and operating a small business can become overwhelming when it comes to withholding and paying payroll taxes to the IRS. That is, an employer must withhold part of the employees pay, in form of income taxes, social security, and medicare taxes. It also has to pay unemployment taxes to the state. For this reason…
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Common Violations in Employment Law #1: Overtime
As good jobs have become more and more scarce due to manufacturing outsourcing and international trade deficits, employers are beginning to realize the benefits of a surplus in the labor force. Eventually if we have more people looking for jobs than what is available, we have a situation in which the wages of the laborer…
