Some of us are more likely to contract certain illnesses due to our genes. But, would we want our employer to know about those predisposed illnesses? Well, a bill proposed in Congress would allow your employer to ask that question. HR 1313 passed a vote in committee and is now before the whole House. It
Romo Retires from UTSA
I wrote about Ricardo Romo previously here. He was placed on leave from his position as president of the University of Texas at San Antonio. When he was first placed on leave, he pledged to clear his name. Now, he has decided to retire. He does not explain the entire situation but suggests he
Military Judge Refuses to Dismiss Charges
The colonel hearing the court martial of Bowe Bergdahl will not dismiss the charges against the young sergeant. He agreed the comments by then Candidate Trump were troubling. But, he would not agree they were so pervasive and unfair as to saturate the community and cause prejudice. See CNN news report. The lawyer for
Customer Objects to Mexican Ownership
Its a reminder that discrimination and prejudice is often just below the surface. A customer at a San Antonio restaurant left a racist note after he finished his meal at Di Frabo Ristorante Italiano. The restaurant lies in a wealthy area near the Dominion suburb. The customer left a note on his receipt: “The food
Travel Ban Endangers U.S. Troops
There are many issues with Pres. Trump’s travel ban. One important consideration is the risk it poses to U.S. troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. We still have several thousand soldiers in Afghanistan and a few hundred in Iraq. Add to that the thousands of U.S. civilians in support of the soldiers serving in those
Texas Court of Appeals Rejects Sabine Pilot Claim
Many employees find themselves in a real quandary when the employer asks them to commit an illegal or unethical act. Texas law protects a worker who is asked to break a criminal statute. But, some employees become so vexed about their situation that s/he goes to the media. That is what happened in Peine v.
Title VII Applies to Temporary Placement Agencies, Too
Many temporary placement agencies think they are immune from lawsuits for discrimination. That is not at all true. Both Title VII (42 U.S.C. Sec. 2000e-2(b) and Texas Labor Code Sec. 21.052 apply to temporary placement agencies. Both statutes specifically prohibit a temporary placement agency from referring a potential worker to a job based on discriminatory
Discussing a New Job is Not Soliciting Employment
Every employee owes his employer a duty of loyalty. An employee generally may not carry on a business that competes with his employer’s business. To do so is grounds for termination. But, what about an employee who is contemplating leaving his employer? Can he discuss his possible departure with co-workers? The court in In Re
Coach Briles Sues for Defamation
Coach Art Briles has filed suit against Baylor University. He filed suit for libel, saying Baylor is spreading false allegations that he knew of sexual assaults and did not report them. See Dallas Morning News report. “Libel” refers to defaming someone verbally. Slander refers to defaming someone in writing. Baylor has been very careful
Persons with Disabilities Benefit Businesses
It benefits a business to hire persons with disabilities. As David Hendricks, columnist with the San Antonio Express News points out, persons with disabilities are loyal workers. Mr. Hendricks recounts the time when Marriott Global Reservations hired a person with blindness. The hiring manager was nervous simply about interviewing a person who was blind. But,