Top Ten Tips Disclaimer
The 2012 edition of Especially for Texas Employers features many new topics and full-length articles. Although almost every topic in the book has been updated or expanded in some way, the following topics are the ones that either appear in the book for the first time, or else have been so extensively expanded or updated that they are essentially new topics. They are listed in the order and under the sections in which they appear in the book.
Top Ten Tips for Employers +new topic
I. Hiring: Basic Legal Issues for Employers
Major Laws Impacting the Hiring Process
Job Applications
References and Background Checks
Interviews
New Hire Paperwork +new topic
Payrolling
Independent contractors
Minimizing Unemployment Tax Problems +new topic
Thresholds for Coverage Under Employment-Related Laws +new article
Independent Contractors / Contract Labor
Tax Audits and Rule 13 Hearings
Pay and Policies - General
I-9 Procedures
Personnel Files - Details
Salary and Benefits
Fair Labor Standards Act - What It Does and Does Not Do
Salary Test for Exempt Employees
Child Labor
Work Schedules
Attendance and Leave Policies
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Holiday Policies
Jury Duty +new topic
Medical Leave-Related Laws
Conflict of Interest, Trade Secrets, Non-Competition Agreements
Discipline
Cell Phones and Other Electronic Devices +new topic
Disclaimers - General
Dress Codes and Grooming Standards
Drug and Alcohol Policies
Expense Reimbursements
Nursing Mothers +new topic
OSHA - Workplace Safety and Health Requirements +new topic
Part-Time / Full-Time Status
Social Media Issues +new topic
Tip-Pooling / Tip-Sharing +new topic
Voting - Time Off +new topic
Weapons at Work +new topic
Ten (Make That 15) Commandments of Keeping Your Job
I-9 Requirements - Document Lists
Probationary Periods
Recording Working Time
Fixed Salary for Fluctuating Workweeks Overtime Calculator +new utility
Regular Rate Includes Certain Bonuses and Incentives; Exclusions from Regular Rate
Breaks
Compensatory Time
Selected DOL Wage and Hour Regulations - Table of Contents +new section
Prevailing Wage Issues +new article
Salary and Benefit Discussions Among Employees +new article
Delivery of Wages
Final Pay
Severance Pay
Accrued Leave Payouts
Tip Credits
Voluntary Wage Assignments
Vacation Pay Advances
Wage Overpayments
Minimizing the Risk of Wage Claims
Legal Issues for Military Leave
Monitoring Company Computers And The Internet
Monitoring Employees' Telephone Use
Pregnancy Rights in the Workplace +new article
Things Employers Wish They Had Never Said
Drug Testing in the Workplace
Work Separations - General
Exit Interviews / Notice of Discharge
Final Pay / Severance Benefits
COBRA
Release and Waiver Agreements +new topic
Special Problems - Work Separations
Early Retirement/Voluntary Leave Incentives/Age Discrimination Issues
Types of Work Separations
Other Types of Employment-Related Litigation
Unemployment Insurance Law - Qualification Issues
Reduction in Hours or Pay Rate
Estimate Chargebacks and Tax Rates +new article with utilities
How Do Unemployment Claims Affect an Employer?
Wage Claim and Appeal Process in Texas +new article
V. Employment Law-Related Web Sites
Employment Law-Related Web Sites
Contact Information
THE A TO Z OF PERSONNEL POLICIES
Conflict of Interest
Harassment and Disrespect Toward Others +new sample policy
Internet, E-Mail, and Computer Usage Policy
Medical Information Confidentiality Policy
Neutral Absence Control Policy
Relationships Within The Workplace +new sample policy
Social Media Use Policy +new sample policy