Texas Leading in Opposition

Although no fewer than 24 states have already committed to challenging the private employer vaccine mandate promised by President Biden, Texas is inarguably out front in the effort. As OSHA was busy this week drafting the vaccine mandate ETS (above story), Texas Governor Greg Abbott was issuing an executive order cracking down on COVID-19 vaccine…

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With an Eye on the Calendar

As we get ready to close out the summer months, there are a number of dates approaching where new laws – or changes to existing laws – will become effective that you need to be aware of. We’ve previously advised you that effective September 1, the sexual harassment laws in the state of Texas will…

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Other Changes to Note

Aside from minimum wage increases, the calendar is replete with different changes on a seemingly monthly basis that you need to be aware of. Among these, we would point out that a change in employment law took effect yesterday in the Commonwealth of Virginia imposing a requirement that most employers must now include information in…

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Court Enjoins Dallas Sick Leave

A federal court in Dallas Texas has permanently enjoined the city of Dallas from implementing its paid sick leave law finding the 2019 ordinance to be in conflict with state law. The Texas Minimum Wage Act (TMWA) establishes the minimum wage in the state currently at $7.25 per hour, the same as the federal rate.…

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Turning the Corner – Or Enough’s Enough?

As we pass the one-year anniversary of the coronavirus pandemic hitting the United States in earnest and the accompanying business lockdowns, mask mandates and social distance dictates, many elected officials are moving to get back to normal. Atop the list seems to be Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued an Executive Order this past Tuesday rescinding…

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COVID-19 Lawsuits on the Rise: 5 Steps To Minimize the Risks

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought small business numerous challenges. We can now add another to the list: Employees filing increasing numbers of COVID-19 related lawsuits. In fact, according to the Fisher Phillips Employment Litigation Tracker, as of November 1, COVID-19 related lawsuits have been filed against 950 employers. The highest number of lawsuits were filed…

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Face Covering Mandates

As we see dramatic increases in confirmed cases of coronavirus in many of the southern and western states over the past few weeks, it behooves business owners to stay up to date on state and local mandates relative to face coverings. A majority of states may only recommend that they be worn while others mandate…

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More State Law Changes Coming

It seems timely for us again to advise of a number of new laws and changes to existing laws that will be taking effect within the next few weeks. In that vein, we advise owners with interests in the following states read on: Alabama, Maine, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas. As to the changes, The Oklahoma…

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State Preemption Efforts

As local communities across the country continue to pass their local mandates on such things as environmental policies, employee benefits, minimum wages and the like, some states have responded with state preemption laws prohibiting local communities from getting involved in dictating certain issues. We have a recent example out of Florida and one still brewing…

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Maximum Movements on Minimum Wages

The current push for increasing minimum wages really began back in 2012, but it doesn’t seem to be slowing much at all. But first, let’s look at the exception that proves the rule. With democrat Gretchen Whitmer poised to take over as Michigan Governor from republican incumbent Rick Snyder, the republican state senate voted Wednesday…

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