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Employment Law

Sight-impaired officer sees red, sues for ADA violations

09/08/2010
A former detention officer for the Hunt County Sheriff’s Office has filed suit against Hunt County and Sheriff Randy Meeks, claiming she was discriminated against on the basis of her disabilities: myopia and astigmatism.

You don’t always have to be right–just honest

09/08/2010
Don’t fret needlessly that every decision you make is the absolute correct one. What really counts is that you acted fairly and honestly. Good faith is all that is required, as the following case shows.

Don’t write overly broad restrictions into noncompetes

09/08/2010
Noncompete covenants in Texas must be limited to a reasonable geographic area or they aren’t enforceable. Unfortunately for employers, that geographic area is usually fairly small.

Cut slack on notification requirement when emergency clearly signals FMLA need

09/08/2010
When it comes to FMLA leave, many employers have internal procedures that are somewhat stricter than those specified in the FMLA. That doesn’t mean, however, that employers shouldn’t be flexible under emergency circumstances. Holding an employee to an impossible requirement won’t fly with courts.

When employee complains of bias or harassment, beware acting in ways that look like retaliation

09/08/2010
An employee who files an EEOC or internal complaint about alleged discrimination or harassment might quite naturally be nervous that her action will result in adverse consequences. That’s why employers have to be certain that any discipline, demotion or changes in working conditions can be justified for valid business reasons before they are implemented.

Texas judge tells strikers to stop sticker campaign

09/08/2010
A Texas judge has ordered members of the United Food and Commercial Workers union to stop placing stickers airing their grievances on jars of Mott’s apple juice and other beverages made by Mott’s parent company, Dr Pepper Snapple.

Check for good faith if ‘whistle-blower’ sues

09/08/2010
The Texas Whistleblower Act creates a presumption that anyone terminated or otherwise disciplined within 90 days of whistle-blowing was punished for reporting the violation. That’s why whistle-blowing can look like an attractive safeguard for an employee who is already facing potential discipline. Fortunately, the employee has to make a good-faith report before the law’s protection kicks in.

Lateral transfer denied? Employee could sue

09/08/2010

Generally, being denied a lateral transfer can’t be the basis for a discrimination lawsuit because it isn’t an adverse employment action. However, sometimes employees try to make that case—and succeed. If the transfer would have provided other benefits that can’t be directly measured in dollars and cents, a court may consider the case as one of a denied promotion.

Courts more reluctant these days to extend deadlines for filing lawsuits

09/08/2010

You should be able to rest more easily after an employee misses a deadline to file a lawsuit. In the past, courts have been lenient when it comes to those deadlines, especially if the employee doesn’t have an attorney. But now the tide seems to be turning. Courts are beginning to get stricter about deadlines.

Calling your employment attorney: When it’s needed, when it’s not

09/07/2010
Say your HR office just received a subpoena for the employment records of an employee. How should you respond? Maybe your company doesn’t have a general counsel. Maybe you don’t even have an HR office—it’s just you! Then what do you do?