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Employment Law

Texas Workforce Commission wage claim ends FLSA case

08/30/2017
When a former employee asks the Texas Workforce Commission to order her former employer to cough up allegedly unpaid wages, the commission’s decision on what was owed can be used to end a Fair Labor Standards Act claim for the same pay.

Former Austin cop seeks $1 million for retaliation

08/30/2017
A former firearms instructor for the Austin Police Department has filed a retaliation lawsuit claiming the department retaliated against him for filing an EEOC discrimination complaint.

Brief, creepy overture doesn’t necessarily amount to sexual harassment

08/30/2017
Not every attempt at seduction becomes a sexual harassment case—as long as the employer takes appropriate action right away once it learns what happened.

HR has a duty to call out discrimination–which is why it’s protected speech

08/30/2017
HR professionals have protection against being fired for voicing legitimate concerns about discrimination and for refusing to engage in activities they believe may be discriminatory.

Retire or get fired? Prepare for lawsuit

08/30/2017
Because the choice between being fired or retiring isn’t entirely voluntary, a forced retirement is sometimes the legal equivalent of being fired. The employee may be able to sue for alleged discrimination even if she chooses to retire and receives retirement benefits.

Education can trump experience & vice versa

08/30/2017
Some employees who have been on staff for many years believe their experience should automatically be rewarded when promotion opportunities arise. When someone with less experience but more education is promoted instead, they may sue, alleging some form of discrimination, whether age or otherwise.

Harris County, Texas official must take harassment training

08/30/2017
The chief of the Harris County, Texas prosecutor’s Misdemeanor Department has been disciplined for making inappropriate comments to female employees.

EEOC suit accuses PPG of disability discrimination

08/30/2017
When Pittsburgh-based PPG Industries purchased paint supply company Revocoat, it inherited a plant in Michigan—and an ADA problem.

Hershey faces ADA suit

08/30/2017
A fired worker in Seattle alleges chocolate giant The Hershey Co. wasn’t very sweet to her when she asked for a reasonable accommodation for her bad back.

Pregnancy bias often an instant win for worker

08/30/2017
Here’s a sure way to lose in federal court: Take a pregnant worker off your automatic scheduling program because you worry that she might go into labor and inconvenience your business.