Top Ten Tips Disclaimer
Layoffs - there is no general duty to rehire employees who have been laid off - always base layoff decisions on neutral, business-related criteria - never base layoff decisions on minority-related characteristics.
WARN Act (federal law) - this law covers employers with 100 or more employees if the company has a:
shutdown of an employment site that affects 50 or more full-time employees;
mass layoff of 50-499 full-time employees if that constitutes at least 33% of the workforce;
mass layoff involving 500 or more full-time employees for at least 30 days; or a
50% or more reduction in hours for 50 or more full-time employees for each month of a six-month or longer period.
Under WARN, employer must give at least 60 days' advance notice of layoff, or else must make a payment of wages in lieu of notice corresponding to the notice not given.
TWC is the state reporting agency for mass layoffs and plant closings in Texas - more information is at http://www.twc.state.tx.us/svcs/jtpa/dislocat.html.