March 4, 2010
Given the country’s economic situation, some businesses have contemplated using independent contractors—instead of hiring employees—as a possible way to save money. Keith Clouse, a Dallas employment law specialist, notes that a company should carefully weigh the pros and cons of relying on independent contractors before altering its staffing plan.
Using independent contractors can be advantageous. A […]
December 10, 2009
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Federal and state laws forbid an employer from retaliating against an employee by treating the employee adversely simply because the employee complained about workplace discrimination. A retaliation claim often turns on circumstantial proof; one such element of proof a court may consider is the timing between the employee’s complaint of […]
September 8, 2009
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A United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas recently granted summary judgment to an employer in an age discrimination claim. Bell v. Raytheon Co., No. 3:08-CV-0702-G (N.D. Tex. July 31, 2009), available at https://ecf.txnd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/show_public_doc?2008cv0702-101. Three employees of Raytheon alleged the company discriminated against them by denying one […]
August 21, 2009
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Unfortunately, workplace bullying occurs at many companies. The cost to employers is obvious: Targeted employees often have higher absenteeism rates and are less productive. Employees who are bullied will almost certainly leave their employer, leading to a high turnover rate.
Bullying takes several forms. A bully may make derogatory remarks, sabotage […]
August 13, 2009
Keith Clouse - Dallas employment lawyer/ 08/10/2009
A Dallas court recently considered a racially-based employment discrimination and retaliation matter: Curry v. Telect, Inc., No. 3:08-CV-0933-D (N.D. Tex. June 15, 2009), available at https://ecf.txnd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/show_public_doc?2008cv0933-22. Billy Curry sued his former employer, Telect, Inc., for discriminating against him by discharging him and for retaliating against him because he complained […]
August 11, 2009
Dallas, Texas (WiredPRNews.com) Keith Clouse, a Dallas employment law attorney, clears up confusion regarding the “burden-shifting” framework that has been mentioned by commentators recently when discussing the latest United States Supreme Court decisions regarding employment discrimination. As Mr. Clouse explains, this framework addresses the shifting burdens of proof and production at play in proving a […]
July 18, 2009
/cdklawyers.com/Keith Clouse Dallas Texas employment law attorney/ 07/13/2009
Chronic tardiness should be inexcusable in this economic environment; however, many employees report to work a “few” minutes late almost every day. While some small businesses may be tempted to ignore this problem, chronic tardiness can lead to lowered productivity and reduced morale among on-time workers; an employee […]
June 4, 2009
Texas employment law news (WiredPRNews.com) — Company dress code policies help ensure that employees report for work dressed appropriately. A strong policy establishes clear guidelines in simple language.
To create an effective policy, an employer should first define its expectations. For example, a policy may state, “An employee should dress in a way that is […]
May 16, 2009
Considerations When Hiring an Employee with a Non-Compete Agreement with a Former Employer
Dallas, Texas (WiredPRNews.com) — Many employers seek to prevent employees from competing against them in the future by requiring them to enter into non-compete agreements. A non-compete agreement typically restricts a person from engaging in a competing business with a former employer […]
May 11, 2009
Dallas, Texas (WiredPRNews.com) — The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (“ADEA”) protects individuals age forty or older from employment discrimination based on age, whether the individual is an employee or a job applicant. The ADEA applies to employers that (1) are engaged in an industry affecting commerce; and (2) employ twenty or […]
