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Employment Law

Investigation notes, report may prove valuable in court

02/01/2008

How do you handle internal discrimination complaints? If you use an ad hoc process, sometimes taking notes or preparing a report, you may be missing out on an important litigation advantage later. Develop a routine investigation process …

Even employees who suffer no harm can collect top dollar

02/01/2008

Here’s yet another reason to clean up the workplace and make certain it’s free of harassment, graffiti and other evidence of a hostile work environment: Employees can collect hundreds of thousands of dollars in punitive damages even if they weren’t physically or financially harmed by the hostile workplace …

No individual liability under Texas Whistleblower Act or Labor Code

02/01/2008

Good news: Your managers and supervisors aren’t individually liable for violating either the Texas Whistleblower Act or the Texas Labor Code. That means your personal assets aren’t on the line …

Former union treasurer sentenced to prison for embezzlement

02/01/2008

A former treasurer of Local 900 of the Federal Independent Texas Union (FITU) was recently ordered to serve a 21-month prison sentence for embezzling $164,268 in union funds. The FITU represents employees at Lockheed Aerospace Corp. in Fort Worth …

Former Richardson pastor faces sex charges—Again

02/01/2008

Darrell Gilyard, head of 700-member Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church in Jacksonville, FL, is in hot water for a second time over charges of sexual misconduct with members of his flock. Gilyard was a rising star at Victory Baptist Church in Richardson, TX …

May we forbid employees to talk about how much they get paid?

02/01/2008
Q. My company has a policy prohibiting all workers from discussing their pay with other employees. Is this legal?

Colorado’s Leave Laws

02/01/2008
All Colorado employers, both public and private, must provide limited paid leave to workers called for jury duty and must allow time off for workers to vote. Additionally, state employees are entitled to family and medical leave as well as paid leave for organ donation and disaster services work …

Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act

02/01/2008
The Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act (CADA) prohibits discrimination based on a person’s sexual orientation, religion, disability, race, creed, color, sex, age, national origin or ancestry …

Colorado Immigration Law

02/01/2008

In view of concerns about undocumented workers, Colorado recently enacted its own immigration law, which requires employers to take certain actions beyond what the federal Immigration Reform and Control Act mandates. Employers must make an affirmation within 20 days of hiring a new employee …

Colorado Lifestyle Discrimination Law

02/01/2008
The Colorado Lifestyle Discrimination Law protects employees who engage in legal activities, such as using tobacco or alcohol when not at work. And unlike the lifestyle discrimination laws in other states, Colorado’s statute has an unusual twist: It specifically lists marriage and planning to marry as protected legal activities …