Texas is famed as a business-friendly state with a ranking of No. 2 in the US for business. The employment law in Texas allows businesses more freedom, but it can sometimes strain employee-employer relations and lead to employee disputes.
Employee disputes can be costly, but a preventive approach can save your business from expensive employment disputes. Sul Lee Law Firm PLLC can help you minimize employment claims, whether you are already dealing with an employment dispute or want to minimize future liability.
How Do Employee Disputes Occur?
Employee conflict is a natural part of working in a collaborative environment. As an employer, you oversee your team’s workflow and ensure that trust, support, and open communication are the solid foundations.
But Employee disputes can arise for several reasons, including:
- Dismissal Without Cause
- Discrimination
- Race
- Religion
- Gender
- Sexual Harassment
- National Origin
- Disability
- Pregnancy
- Workplace Harassment
- Defamation or Demotion Without Cause
- A Breach of Employment Contract
- Workplace Retaliation
- Hostile Work Conditions
- Medical and Family Leave Act
What Can You Do to Prevent Employee Disputes?
Auditing your employment practices regularly can prevent costly employment disputes. During this process, our Dallas employment lawyer at Sul Lee Law Firm PLLC will audit your employment practices and identify any dangerous pitfalls.
Additionally, we can suggest additional policies and procedures that need to be implemented.
An employee has a right to file a dispute claim with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). It is the employer’s responsibility to investigate a charge of discrimination and respond appropriately. We will help you take the prompt course of action necessary to prevent your employee from filing a discrimination complaint with the EEOC.
Texas Workforce Commission: TWC is the governmental agency in the United States of Texas, manages the unemployment benefits and provides a workforce development services. Also, TWC handles minimum wages, and unpaid wage claims, and complaints. As an employer defense lawyer, we are here to help you to assist to handle the TWC complaints.
Employment Law in Texas
Workplace discrimination, specifically based on sexual orientation and gender identity, is one of the hottest issues in Texas employment law. There are no explicit protections for sexual orientation or gender identity in Texas employment law. But several Texas cities are taking steps to address this issue, including San Antonio, Dallas, Austin, and Houston.
Workers’ compensation, workplace discrimination, vacations, overtime, unemployment benefits, and more fall under the umbrella of employment law.
Issues Affecting Texas Employment Law
Texas is known for its “at-will” employment policy. It is common for employees to get hired at will without an employment contract.
At-will means that an employer or employee can change the terms of the employment relationship with no notice. If there is no express contract, any part of an employment relationship, such as pay, schedules, job descriptions, etc., can be altered.
Nonetheless, if an employer fires an employee for an illegal reason, it can lead to a wrongful termination claim. Our Dallas employment lawyer at Sul Lee Law Firm PLLC Texas can help you properly and legally terminate problem employees.
Even if a wrongful termination claim is already brought, we want you to focus on growing your business, we will help you navigate essential steps in dealing with various government agencies and courts.
Employee vs. Independent Contractor in Texas
Employers are responsible for classifying workers correctly. The Texas Work Commission (TWC) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) each have separate tests for determining whether a worker is an employee or an independent contractor.
In basic terms, an employee is a person an employer can exercise direction and control. An independent contractor is self-employed and responsible for his taxes and expenses.
Misclassification can be costly. The Department of Labor regularly conducts audits and if your worker is classified incorrectly, you may be liable for back taxes.
Contact a Dallas Employment Lawyer to Get Help
The labor force is a dynamic entity that constantly changes. Employee issues often propagate like viruses and infect other employees’ performance. When an employment dispute arises, it is crucial to act quickly.
Employment law encompasses a wide range of federal and state laws. An attorney can assist you with employee disputes. Contact a Dallas attorney at Sul Lee Law Firm PLLC if facing an employee dispute lawsuit.
The Sul Lee Law Firm, PLLC assists clients throughout Dallas and the rest of Texas who are facing employment issues. We have helped employers in Plano, Richardson, Fort Worth, Irving, Frisco, Carrollton, Taylor, Garland County, and Collin County navigate and resolve employment disputes with contractors and employees.