Compared to most states, California requires added documentation for an employee separation. Employers found to be out of compliance with these requirements can face litigation or administrative penalties. In addition to other requirements under federal law,...
Firm News
NLRB Limits Severance Agreements
On Tuesday, February 21, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) issued a long-awaited decision affecting severance agreements. Severance agreements may be considered unlawful if they either 1) prohibit a worker from disclosing the terms of the severance or 2)...
New Protections for Pregnant and Nursing Mothers
On New Year’s Day, President Biden signed into law a $1.7 trillion Omnibus spending bill that includes several new protections for pregnant women. These include the Providing Urgent Maternal Protections for Nursing Mothers Act (“PUMP Act”) and the Pregnant Workers...
Microsoft Report Recommendations on Anti-Harassment & Non-Discrimination Policies and Practices
Employers should periodically evaluate their harassment and discrimination policies to ensure compliance and find opportunities to improve. In January 2022, in the wake of multiple high-profile allegations of inappropriate conduct—including claims against Bill...
EEOC Releases Updated “Know Your Rights” Poster
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently drafted and published an updated “Know Your Rights” poster. This poster effectively replaces the previous “EEO is the Law” poster. Federal law requires employers with 15 or more employees to post workplace...
Congress Limits use of NDAs in Sexual Harassment Cases
President Biden recently signed the Speak Out Act. The bill passed the house 315-109 after having passed the Senate unanimously in September. The bill is the second bill passed this year prompted by the #MeToo movement, following the passage of a similar law from...
Local Texas Mask Laws
Local Texas Mask Laws June 2020 Late last week, Texas Governor Abbott signaled his approval that cities and counties could require and enforce via fines businesses to require masks. Many Texas cities and counties responded by immediately passing such orders. In short,...
The CARES Act
The CARES Act April 2020 The federal government enacted the CARES Act to help small businesses through the COVID crisis. The guidance for interpreting this Act (and making informed decisions thereunder) is evolving on a daily basis. The purpose of this email is to...
Benchmark Litigation Recognizes Hutcheson Bowers as a Leading Labor and Employment Law Firm
Hutcheson Bowers is pleased to announce that it has been recognized as a top (Tier 2) labor and employment firm in Texas for 2018 by Benchmark Litigation. Only 23 law firms throughout the state of Texas were chosen for this honor. Firm partner Shannon Hutcheson was named a South Star as well. Firm partner Allison Bowers notes, “We are extremely…
Join Us for a Panel Discussion on the Texas Anti-SLAPP Law at UT Law’s Technology Conference
Join Us for a Panel Discussion on the Texas Anti-SLAPP Law at UT Law’s Technology Conference April 2019 The University of Texas Law School’s 2019 Technology Law Conference will feature a panel discussion about the Texas Citizen’s Participation Act with Shannon...