The EEOC has been hit with another sanction of attorney’s fees. A court assessed $2.6 million in attorney’s fees against the EEOC due to a lawsuit they filed which they lost. See Workplace Prof blog post. The EEOC had sought class action status in EEOC v. Cintas and lost. Because the EEOC did not
August 2011
Bexar County Deputy Accused of Racial Profiling
Residents of a north Bexar County community have accused a deputy Sheriff of racial profiling. See San Antonio Express News report. Some residents of Timberwood Park, near Bulverde, and local activists claim that Deputy Patrick Plate has been targeting Hispanics and pulling them over for traffic stops and calling US Immigration and Customs Enforcement…
OSHA Safety Rules Apply Primarily to Industrial Workers
The Occupational Health & Safety Act requires employers to provide a safe working environment for all workers. The Occupational Health & Safety Administration (OSHA) protects some workers, but not all. There are no protections for repetitive stress injuries or ergonomic requirements. See "Can my boss do that?" There are simply few rules for…
Photographer will not Aid Facebook Bullies
Facebook has become a big part of the lives of many Americans in a very short amount of time. One photographer recently was hired to take senior pictures at a high school. The photographer came across a FB page poking fun at some girls. Someone had created a fictitious name just so they could post…
Disbarred Lawyer Kept His $838,000 in the Storage Room
You know, you just cannot make this stuff up. A disbarred lawyer was recently arrested for an outstanding warrant of felony fraud. He was found with $12,000 in cash in his car and another $838,000 in cash in a rented storage room. He had some guns with the $838K.
But, that is normal for…
Houston Jury Awards $730,000
Surina Dixon was hired by Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas to coach women’s basketball. She quit her job in Tennessee and moved to Texas with her husband in 2008. She noticed soon after she arrived that the new men’s basketball coach was paid $148,000 while she was to be paid only $75,000. She complained.
Most Voters Oppose Forced Arbitration Clauses
A survey of likely voters in 2010 shows that the American public is generally opposed to mandatory arbitration clauses found in employment and consumer situations. 59% oppose forced arbitration clauses found in the fine print of employment and consumer agreements. 59% of likely voters support the Arbitration Fairness Act, a proposal which would prevent these…
Counter Lawsuits are not a Good Idea
Retaliatory lawsuits are rarely a good idea. Employers can feel very offended when an employee files a lawsuit. The employment relationship can be like family. So, sure, many employers feel some betrayal when they are sued. But, to respond with a counter-lawsuit almost never works.
In one case, the employer responded to a discrimination lawsuit…
Father Sues Children Regarding Facebook Video
Well, it had to happen sooner or later. A parent has filed suit against some middle school boys regarding things they said about the man’s young daughter. The father, a Houston area lawyer, sued the boys over a video posted by the boys regarding his daugther. See Texas Lawyer report. The father, acting as…
Employee Handbooks are not Binding
Employee handbooks are not binding on a Texas employer. The typical employee handbook says the employer will not fire someone until that person has been verbally warned, and then warned in writing a few times. Or, the handbook may say that an employee will not be demoted or fired without a good reason. Once upon…