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HOUSTON, Texas. According to a recent article in the Houston Chronicle, the three leading types of wage and hour violations are: unpaid overtime violations, misclassification of employees as independent contractors, and failing to log all the hours a person works. How do these wage and hour violations occur? [Read more…] about Most Common Wage and Hour Violations

HOUSTON, Texas. In the U.S., it is up to each state to determine whether it will provide paid or unpaid leave to victims of domestic violence. In Texas, employers are not required to provide paid or unpaid leave to domestic violence victims. The lack of paid or unpaid leave for domestic violence victims can be another barrier that prevents victims from leaving an abusive situation. According to the Atlantic, as many as 60% of domestic violence victims lose their jobs. [Read more…] about Texas Doesn’t Provide Paid Leave for Domestic Violence Victims: How This Hurts Women

HOUSTON, Texas. In the wake of the “Me Too” movement, more women have been coming forward about their experiences with sexual harassment on the job. Yet, when it comes to fighting certain types of harassment in the courtroom and in government, the laws still have a long way to go. Take the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995. Under this law, members of Congress can use taxpayer money to settle claims with their accusers. The House recently passed a law that would require members of Congress to settle claims with their own money, and the Senate passed similar legislation, but the New York Times reports that lawmakers would only be required to use their own money to pay compensatory damages. Taxpayer money can still be used to compensate victims for other damages. [Read more…] about When Harassment in Government and Law Remains Legal

HOUSTON, Texas. The New York Times reports that Uber is under investigation by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission as a result of allegations of pay and hiring disparities between its male and female workers. Uber claims that in the past year it has changed the way it handles hiring and performance reviews. It also claims that it has put in place diversity training programs for its workers. [Read more…] about Uber Faces Investigation for Hiring and Pay Violations

HOUSTON, Texas. The New York Times recently reported that the leading flutist for the Boston Symphony Orchestra has sued the orchestra for gender discrimination. The leading flutist claims that she is only paid 75% of what another man in the orchestra gets paid. Under Massachusetts law, women must be paid equally for performing equal work. For women who seek pay equity, proving that their jobs have equal demands can be among the more challenging aspects of seeking pay equity, or suing for back pay. Yet, the woman’s case seems to be strong. In addition to being paid less than a male flutist in the orchestra, she is also paid less than the orchestra’s principal trumpet, viola, timpani, and French horn players. All of the players who are paid more are men. [Read more…] about Employment Law Reaches the Music Industry

HOUSTON, Texas. The New York Times reports that the attorney generals of 10 states are reviewing some fast food restaurant “no poach” clauses. These clauses have a similar effect that non-compete clauses have in that they prevent workers from moving to other jobs. Unlike non-compete clauses however, “no poach” clauses limit worker’s movement within the fast food chain itself. So, while the worker could get a job at another brand, they couldn’t move to another branch of the brand in their neighborhood to work closer to home or to seek higher wages. [Read more…] about The Next Frontier of the Non-Compete Clause: Fast Food