The Employers' Lawyers' Blog
Safeguard your company and your people – while maintaining compliance with the law. So you can get back to work.
Employers Are Wise to Conduct Periodic Employment and Labor Audits
In today’s business environment, employers should not ignore potential risks within their employment practices. Treaty Oak cannot overemphasize the importance of employers conducting periodic employment audits to evaluate their compliance with federal and state employment laws and minimize risk. Like financial audits, which assess an employer’s financial health, employment audits
What is the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act?
In December of 2022, President Biden signed the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) into law. The PWFA is a federal law requiring employers to make reasonable accommodations for employees with a known limitation due to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. The law goes into effect on June 27, 2023, and all employers need to
Effective Leadership Training Can Prepare Your Next Generation of Leaders
Employers across the nation learned about the importance of strong leadership when they experienced the COVID-19 crisis of 2020. When the effects of the pandemic changed the face of the workplace as we knew it, employers understood how imperative effective leaders are to an organization’s success. Leadership in the workplace
Employers Have a Legal Obligation to Ensure Workplace Safety
The primary goal of workplace safety and health policy is to prevent injuries, illnesses, and fatalities and the suffering and financial hardship these events cause workers and their families. While ensuring health and safety in the workplace has always been a critically important issue, when the COVID-19 pandemic swept through
Employers are Wise to Consult with Legal Counsel When Facing an EEOC Investigation
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) enforces federal laws prohibiting discrimination in the workplace. The agency also oversees and coordinates all federal equal employment opportunity regulations, practices, and policies. In addition to laws that prohibit discrimination, legislation enforced by the EEOC includes those that provide for equal pay and mandate
The Risks of Deploying Artificial Intelligence to Make Decisions in the Workplace
“Artificial Intelligence” (AI) generally refers to computer technology that uses algorithms to perform specific tasks that typically require human decision-making. In the world of labor and employment, AI can be directly applied to workplace functions. This technology may, for example, assist employers with specific functions, such as the recruiting and
It’s Time to Review Your Company’s Social Media Policy
The widespread use of social media by employees in the workplace can create a multitude of liabilities for employers. The risks include decreased productivity among users and the negative impact an unfavorable post can have on a company’s reputation and brand. Employees who visit social networking sites at work can
Protect Yourself and Your Business from Costly Litigation by Preventing Employment Discrimination
Employment discrimination occurs when an employer treats an employee or prospective employee differently than others within the organization based on specific characteristics that are protected by law. These characteristics include race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, disability, age (40 or older), or genetic information. An
All Employers are Required to Comply with the 2022 PUMP Act
As breastfeeding mothers returned to the workplace following the social distancing required by the pandemic, millions of women found themselves without adequate break time or the private space necessary to pump in the workplace. Not being able to express their milk during the workday is an issue that can cause
Workplace Spring is here
Spring is here and spring cleaning is on our mind at Treaty Oak. Perhaps your taxes are behind you, you’re closing out the first quarter, and you can turn your attention to new projects with renewed excitement. It is a great time of year for a refresh! Here are some
Employment Law Covers All Aspects of the Employer/Employee Relationship
Labor and employment law is a broad area that governs all aspects of the employer/employee relationship from the time of the employee’s first interview to their last day of employment. Employment law also includes compensation and hours worked and defines employer-provided benefits, such as paid time off and health insurance. Additional
Submit Your Texas Franchise Filings or be Subject to Texas Tax Code 711.252(2)
The importance of compliance with state regulations and keeping your business in good standing cannot be overstated. Business owners who ignore their responsibilities to comply with Texas state tax obligations could face serious consequences if they fail to file annual Texas Franchise Tax reports. The result of non-compliance means the
