Disclaimer
The 2008 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.
I. Hiring: Basic Legal Issues for Employers
Job Postings and Recruitment
Job Descriptions
References and Background Checks
Pre-Employment Tests and Examinations
Job References and Background Checks
New Hire Reporting Laws
Pay and Policies - General
New Hire Reporting Requirements
Salary and Benefits
Salary Test for Exempt Employees
Child Labor
Attendance and Leave Policies
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Medical Leave-Related Laws
Conflict of Interest, Trade Secrets, Non-Competition Agreements
Workers' Compensation
Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Policies
Avoid Favors and Exceptions to Policies
Dress Codes and Grooming Standards
English-Only Policies
Expense Reimbursements
Part-Time / Full-Time Status
Refusal to Sign Policies or Warnings
Video Surveillance
I-9 Requirements - Document Lists
Verification of Social Security Numbers
Employees Without Social Security Numbers
Probationary Periods
Regular Rate for Salaried Non-Exempt Employees
Overtime Pay - Conclusions
Pay Agreements
Frequency of Pay
Delivery of Wages
Final Pay
Severance Pay
Accrued Leave Payouts
Final Pay - Severance Benefits
Deductions for Other Costs to the Employer
Minimizing the Risk of Wage Claims
Legal Issues for Military Leave
Drug Testing in the Workplace
Work Separations - General
Types of Work Separations
How Do Unemployment Claims Affect an Employer?
V. Employment Law-Related Web Sites
Employment Law-Related Web Sites
Contact Information
THE A TO Z OF PERSONNEL POLICIES
Conflict of Interest
Company-Issued Credit Cards
Confidentiality of Information
Drug And/Or Alcohol Testing Consent Form
Drug-Free Workplace Policy
Medical Absence Warnings
Property Return Security Deposit Agreement
Request for Change in Employment Status
Smoking Policy
Vacation and Sick Leave
Volunteer Agreement
Wage Deduction Authorization Agreement
Work Schedules and Recording of Work Time