Setting up a Human Resources (HR) department to support your employees is an important piece of corporate structure. When properly staffed, this department will monitor your organization for compliance and work to ensure enforcement of labor laws. A well-built HR department structure can assist in retention efforts that increase employee engagement and promote belonging in […]

The arrival of a New Year provides the opportunity to evaluate workplace policies for their relevance and to ensure your business’s compliance with current legislation and regulations. Updating company policies now can help protect against future employment litigation in Texas. The Houston employment attorneys at Feldman & Feldman offer these ten tips for updating workplace […]

Negotiating an executive contract is more than just a back-and-forth exchange of terms. It is an art form that requires skill, strategy, and a thorough understanding of both parties’ interests and objectives. For executives, negotiating favorable terms can set the stage for a successful and rewarding career, while for employers, a well-negotiated contract can ensure […]

In today’s dynamic work environment, well-crafted workplace policies are essential for protecting both employers and employees. For businesses in Houston, Texas, these policies are not only crucial for maintaining a positive work culture but also for ensuring compliance with state and federal laws. Feldman & Feldman, a leading Houston-based law firm in employment law, helps […]

Workers usually think their employers have their best interests in mind when setting policies, procedures, and rules. While we want to think the best of our employers, they may actually be exploiting their workers. Employees have legal rights, and employers are required by law to respect and abide by those rights. What can an employee […]

In general, the use of non-compete agreements in many contracts is coming under increased scrutiny from the Biden administration. One of the recent salvos in the campaign against non-competes has been launched by the Federal Trade Commission.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of workplace harassment complaints had steadily risen over five years. Employees now have a greater understanding of what is illegal conduct and more determination to stand up for themselves when their legal rights are being violated. Even if a company has strict workplace policies, it may not be […]

Many employers face lawsuits under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) for their alleged failure to compensate their employees. The FLSA imposes certain obligations with regard to paying covered employees. However, the FLSA does not apply to all employees. Exempt workers are not subject to the rules of the FLSA. While employers may try to […]

Many salaried employees in Texas may not think about overtime as something they need to worry about, however, employment law can be complicated, and some salaried employees could be missing out on rightfully earned overtime pay. If an employer fails to properly pay their employees overtime, they could be violating federal and state laws and […]

In Texas, workplace sexual harassment laws are changing to give employees more time to file claims against more types of businesses in the state, as two new laws went into effect on September 1, 2021. In the past, businesses with fewer than 15 employees were exempt from sexual harassment claims; however, these new laws apply […]

As an employer and an employee, it is incredibly beneficial to understand how employment law affects your workplace. Employment law governs the relationship between employers and workers. These laws ensure that workers are treated fairly and are able to work safely while also protecting employers’ livelihoods and businesses. Employment laws, also known as labor laws, […]

Texas is considered an “at-will” employment state, meaning an employer can terminate an employee for any reason – no matter how trivial or irrational – or for no reason at all. Termination can happen at any time during an employee’s employment and for any legitimate purpose, which makes proving wrongful termination difficult. There are some […]

2020 has proven to be a challenging year for all types of businesses. While many aspects of business operations have changed in order to incorporate COVID-19 safety protocols, one thing hasn’t – equal employment opportunity (EEO) compliance. Understanding how to ensure a business is EEO compliant is incredibly important for business owners at any stage […]

According to an article written by Gettysburg College, it’s estimated that most Americans will spend one-third of their lives at work. Even as many have moved to make the transition to work from home due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, many offices and workplaces have since reopened their doors to employees. While going […]

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to surge in areas across the U.S., many businesses are looking for ways to protect themselves from potential employer liability. While there is no one-size-fits-all solution for every company, employers must consider certain safety measures in order to avoid employees and visitors contracting the virus, as well as formal written […]

As the new coronavirus or COVID-19 continues to disrupt the everyday lives of many, changes to the modern workplace have become inevitable. Though many have hoped for a total return to normalcy following stay at home orders; unfortunately, however, this is not the case, as COVID-19 is showing no signs of waning. With this in […]

Following the outbreak of the new coronavirus or COVID-19, many across the country have found themselves out of work and having to file for unemployment. With over 20 million unemployment claims being filed and nearly one million claims in Texas alone, officials have begun to roll out unemployment benefits under the Coronavirus Aid Relief Economic […]

As the new coronavirus or COVID-19 continues to affect people and their places of work across the nation and around the world, one would think workers in essential industries are being effectively protected. Unfortunately, this isn’t necessarily the case for everyone. While many workplaces are doing their due diligence to ensure workers are adequately protected […]

Commuting to and from work two months ago was the norm for many across the United States. Now, many finding themselves working from home or have lost their jobs entirely due to the effects of the new coronavirus or COVID-19. Following the implementation of shelter-in-place or stay-at-home orders, most are encouraged to stay at home […]

When discrimination occurs in the workplace, it makes employees feel uncomfortable. Employment discrimination happens when an employee or an applicant is treated unfairly due to his or her race, skin color, national origin, gender, disability, religion, or age. Earlier this month, it was announced that Riot Games would pay nearly $10 million in a legal settlement after accusations of gender discrimination and sexual harassment came to light.

Many Houstonians enjoy Tex-Mex eatery El Real for its food and its easily recognizable location in Montrose is a neighborhood landmark. Recently though, after eight years in business, the restaurant closed its doors for good, leaving many patrons questioning why.

Cases of workplace discrimination seem to appear in the news nearly every week. Unfortunately, this trend is nothing new, as a study from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) shows the agency received 1,889,631 discrimination complaints from 1997 to 2018. In 2017, a majority of these complaints were based on retaliation, race, disability, or sex. […]

As unfortunate as it seems, age discrimination is becoming more and more prevalent in the workforce as of late. According to a 2017 survey, more than six in ten workers aged 45 and older have seen or experienced age discrimination in the workplace. It’s not just your average corporations either; recently, Google settled an age […]

Wrongful termination claims, though fairly common, can sometimes be complex when it comes to determining their validity. This is because each situation is unique and often requires an experienced eye to see the varying details of the claims being disputed. This was the case for a former Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) employee who filed a wrongful termination claim over a conflict of interest with her employer.

It’s not uncommon for airlines to reschedule or cancel flights. For Southwest Airlines, however, some of the cancellation and rescheduled flights over the past six years stem from a dispute between the company and its Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association. The contentious fight between Southwest and its mechanic’s union appears to be nearing its end according to both parties who have reached a tentative agreement.

Workplaces can be extremely tense environments. While these environments can be shaped into more positive atmospheres, tense work environments are usually the basis of employment litigation. Many people think employment discrimination is just discriminating based on the color of someone’s skin, but there are many types of employment discrimination that create hostile work environments, prevent growth of hardworking employees, and lead to extensive litigation.

Running a business is no small feat. Whether you own a small mom and pop company or employ thousands of employees, you are going to face legal issues that can jeopardize your business. In addition to a wide variety of business litigation issues, companies can also face employment litigation. Employment litigation can be damaging in many ways. Not only can it be expensive, but it can also tarnish a company’s reputation and take a serious blow at the morale of current employees. However, there are many steps companies can take to prevent employment litigation.