Employment Law Letter

Using a probationary period for employees is a common practice in many businesses. Employers establish a time frame to give newly hired employees a chance to prove their skill, value, and reliability. For employers, it’s...

The new Trump administration is officially taking shape, bringing big changes to the federal employment agencies and their approach to policies and enforcement, as well as a number of new Executive Orders (EOs) that...

The “standard of proof” is an important issue in litigation. Usually, it’s the burden a suing employee has to prove all elements of their case. But it’s the employer’s burden to show that an employee is “exempt” from the...

After years of litigation, an employer had finally settled a sexual harassment claim against it. But there was still one more loose end, which would have a price tag of another $500,000, plus attorneys’ fees and costs...

Have you ever noticed the OU symbol on hundreds of food labels in your supermarket, from ketchup to pasta to bread? That means the food was produced under the rabbinic supervision of the OU, the largest profit-making...

Employees and employers all over the Southland are dealing with situations of life and death, loss of home and business. Against this backdrop, employment issues are small. But in addition to all of the monumental...

We have previously reported on the replacement of the Michigan Paid Medical Leave Act with the more employee-friendly Earned Sick Time Act (ESTA). With the ESTA set to go into effect on February 21, 2025, the Michigan...

A recent ruling by a federal court of appeals in one of our Great Lake states adds a new spin on whether you need to pay for travel time under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The answer is putting Texas employers on...

On November 15, 2024, a federal judge in the Eastern District of Texas issued an order vacating and setting aside the regulatory amendments the Department of Labor (DOL) issued earlier in the year to the minimum salary...

President-Elect Donald Trump has begun assembling the administration for his second term, signaling potential shifts in policies that could significantly affect employment law and immigration. Looking back to see what’s...

In December 2024, an obviously upset Dallas jury dished out the largest jury verdict ever obtained by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in the Northern District of Texas. Because we learn more from...

Beginning on January 1, 2025, New York State’s amended Paid Sick Leave Law will require employers to provide New York employees with up to 20 hours of paid leave every year for “prenatal personal leave,” which is defined...

Every region has its stereotypes, but here in Iowa, we lean into the Midwest image: polite, pragmatic, team-oriented (think barn raising), and stubborn as dirt—all qualities that can serve you well as a manager. Let’s...

The Texas Supreme Court recently heard oral arguments on expanding a defense under the Texas Labor Code to claims of unlawful discrimination. Current law Here’s the deal: An employee files a claim against their employer...

President-elect Trump ran on immigration reform. It was a cornerstone of his campaign. By all accounts, the new administration will be cracking down on undocumented employees and may roll back the ability for employers...