A few weeks ago, the Federal Trade Commission held a public forum examining the FTC’s proposed rule to prohibit employers from imposing noncompetes on their workers, providing an opportunity for people to directly share their experiences with noncompetes. According to the FTC, the forum was meant to “supplement the FTC’s request for members of the public to submit written comments on the…
Employment law includes thousands of major federal and state statutes, administrative regulations, and judicial decisions, all concerning the employer/employee relationship. Here’s a breakdown of some of the significant federal employment-related statutes you need to know as an employer. Title VII 1963 in America saw a major push for institutional changes that would bring about a society with equal outcomes. Following…
How do you know the time has come to hire an attorney for your business? If you’re already in business, the time is now. Business owners need to have someone they can trust with confidential information as well as their business needs. Business lawyers can help assess risk, draw up contracts, and policies and procedures that protect you and your…
As a business owner, you may be wondering which organizational structure is right for your business. With several to choose from, along with a vast number of resources online vying for your attention, trying to decide on your own can be overwhelming, and in some cases, downright discouraging. However, of all the decisions you make when starting your business, choosing…
Thinking of starting a business? First of all, congratulations! As Business Attorneys, we know firsthand that while the idea of opening up your own shop is exciting, the steps necessary to make that dream a reality can be quite daunting. While you might not be sure what to do first (and then next), these are important steps necessary to ensure…
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently updated its COVID-19 technical assistance guidance to include more information about employer retaliation in pandemic-related employment situations. The updated guidelines provide clarification on the rights of employees and job applicants who believe they were retaliated against for engaging in protected activities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Title VII of the Civil Rights…
Firm partner, Shellie Reyes has been elected a Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation. Fellows of the foundation are selected because of their outstanding professional achievements and their commitment to the improvement of the justice system in Texas. About the Fellows of the Texas Bar Foundation Each year, one-third of 1% of Texas lawyers are invited to become Texas Bar…
The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) recently released its highly anticipated guidance for employers concerning Covid-19. The guidance from OSHA primarily focuses on healthcare workers, but it also addresses recommendations geared toward all types of employers. These recommendations come at a pivotal time as many employers have implemented back to work in-person strategies, or a hybrid thereof. As an…
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is planning to bump up its audits of small businesses as well as their investors by around 50% this year. In part, this is due to years of consistently low rates of examination among small businesses. According to this story from Bloomberg, a surge in audits is expected and will be for “companies ranging from…
Recently, the EEOC (US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) updated its ongoing COVID-19 guidance with questions and answers that specifically address mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policies within the workplace. In short, the guidance provided suggests that employers can implement and enforce mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policies for employees. However, there are certain exceptions and caveats to be aware of. What to know about…
