The following employment-related bills were enrolled for consideration in the Texas Legislature over the past two weeks.
HB 1178 (Flynn) (Relating to employment protection for members of the state military forces).
HB 1219 (Miles) (Relating to the right of an employee to time off from work if the employee and/or the employee’s child is the victim
There continues to be a substantial increase in the number of unemployment claims filed by Texas employees. This increase has the potential to raise the unemployment tax rate for employers that do not take proactive steps to manage their Texas unemployment tax rates. The state unemployment tax rate is the only business tax an employer can control.
To understand how to
Effective July 29, 2010, the City of Austin requires employers in the construction industry to provide at least ten minute rest breaks to their employees for every four hours worked. The ordinance applies to all employers engaged in work associated with construction projects including alteration, demolition, building excavation, maintenance and renovation of structures or sites.
Employees
Employees occasionally sue Texas employers for breach of contract claiming the employer violated its handbook policies in taking some action against the employee. Texas law precludes most breach of contract claims premised on violations of an employee handbook where the handbook contains a provision expressly disclaiming any intent to create binding or contractual rights –whether express or implied.
John Hyman at the Ohio Employer’s
As we approach local elections, it is good to remember that Texas law may require an employer to provide an employee with paid time off to vote. The Texas Election Code makes it a Class C misdemeanor for an employer to refuse to allow an employee to be absent from work on election day for purpose
On March 20, 2009 I posted an entry about several leave of absence bills pending in the Texas Legislature. Today I want to highlight a few other bills that will effect Texas employers if passed.
There are several pending bills in the Texas legislature that could effect the leaves of absence private employers must make available to their employees. Some of these types of leaves have already been passed in more liberal states such as California and Massachusetts. Pending leave of absence bills in the Texas legislature include:
Since at least 2004 Texas law has permitted Texas employers to enter into predispute agreements with their employees to waive a right to a jury trial. The predispute waiver of the right to jury trial can be a desirable option for employers that would prefer to avoid the potential jury trial of a civil rights