Happy Holidays! This is a very special time of year but can feel chaotic across several industries. Restaurants and bars see some of their busiest years to date. Long-anticipated movies are finally being released and the theaters are packed. (Although I am excited for Wicked, I am even
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Fueling Fairness: The Fight Against Employment Discrimination in the Oil and Gas Sector
Did you know that Beaumont, TX was once home to one of the most important oil booms in U.S. history? It’s true! Growing up in Beaumont, a medium sized Southeast Texas town, field trips to the Spindletop site were pretty routine. Today you can still tour the Spindletop Boomtown…
Job Protections for Private Employees Impacted by Weather in Texas are a Disaster
In the wake of the national disasters, most recently the devastation left by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton, it is important to reflect on whether employees in the lone star state have real protections during these disasters. In Texas, private employees enjoy no law-mandated protections for their employment even…
Pre-Onboarding Disability Inquiries: To What Extent Am I Required to Disclose?
It is widely known that is unlawful to discriminate against someone with a disability. Having a disability is considered a protected classification under the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended and the Texas Labor Code. This blog addresses whether and under what circumstances an employer may inquire about your…
The Crime: A Rights Heist by Big Business
Plaintiffs’ lawyers work tirelessly to protect employee rights, battling employers who often prioritize their own interests over those of their workers. Big business needs you in their workforce. Still, they know workers need employment, and the lure of the job is enticing when faced with the…
Exploring the Different Governmental Agencies that Investigate and Enforce Labor and Employment Laws
A great deal of our practice involves interfacing with federal agencies, but they’re not all the same. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and the Department of Labor (DOL) are three distinct federal agencies in the United States, each with different responsibilities related…
Disability Discrimination by Association: Know Your Rights Under the ADA
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), first enacted in 1990, represents a landmark in civil rights legislation, aimed at prohibiting discrimination against individuals with disabilities in various areas of public life, including employment, public accommodations, transportation, and telecommunications. Its overarching goal is to ensure that people with disabilities have…
Protecting Yourself as an Employee with Invisible Disabilities in Texas
Employees with disabilities face many potential obstacles in the workplace. Having invisible disabilities adds another layer of unique challenges.
Invisible disabilities are conditions that are not immediately apparent to others, such as chronic pain, mental health conditions, or autoimmune disorders. For those with invisible disabilities, your supervisors and colleagues…
Staffing Agencies and Sexual Harassment, Liability Can Attach
Amended Sexual Harassment Laws in Texas
Prior to 2021, sexual harassment claims against employers in Texas were quite limited. Newly enacted laws in 2021 expanded protections for employees asserting sexual harassment claims. Almost all employers may now face liability for these types of claims, including employers with only one…
Who’s Who: OSHA’s Amended Walkaround Rule
On May 31, 2024, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) Final Walkaround Rule went into effect. Initially published on April 1, 2024, the new rule amends 29 C.F.R. 1903.8(c). This rule sets forth the guidelines on who is permitted to be present for an OSHA inspection.
What is…