Category Archives: Employment/Labor Law

August 23, 2024 Weekly Round Up

Posted on by

Welcome back to another Weekly Round Up where we get you caught up on some of the biggest stories in ag law news around the country. *Federal court finds FTC ban on noncompete agreements unlawful, sets rule aside in nationwide order.  A federal judge in Texas held that the FTC’s recent rule prohibiting most noncompete agreements is unlawful.  The court held that the rule went beyond the FTC’s authority and was arbitrary and capricious.  The judge issued an order setting aside the rule on a nationwide basis.  This… Read More →

FTC Bans Most Non-Compete Agreements

Posted on by

**NOTE:  A federal court in Texas set aside this rule in August 2024 on a nationwide basis.  Read more here. On April 23, 2024 the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced its Final Non-Compete Clause Rule banning most non-compete clauses in the United States. The Rule is set to go into effect on September 4, 2024. What are Non-Compete Clauses? The Rule defines a non-compete clause as a term or condition of employment that prohibits a worker from, penalized a worker for, or functions to prevent a worker from:… Read More →

April 26, 2024 Weekly Round Up

Posted on by

We’re back with another Friday Weekly Round Up.  Let’s get caught up on some of the biggest stories in the news. *Texas farmers sue USDA for alleged discrimination.  Several Texas farmers have filed suit against the USDA claiming discrimination for how payments were calculated for certain programs. I wrote an article about the lawsuit for Southern Ag Today here.  On Monday, I will have a more detailed summary posted on the Texas Agriculture Law Blog as well. * USDA updates HPAI outbreak in dairy cattle status.  The USDA… Read More →

September 8, 2023 Weekly Round Up

Posted on by

We’re back again with another rundown of some of the key ag law issues in the news this week. *There is a new I-9 form that must be used starting November 1, 2023.  The US Citizenship and Immigration Services released a new I-9 form on August 1.  For now, employers may use either the new form or the current form, but as of November 1, all employers must use the new form. You can find the new form here.  A summary of the changes may be found here…. Read More →

January 12, 2017 Weekly Round Up

Posted on by

It was a busy week around here as I traveled to Nashville to speak at the American Farm Bureau Federation Conference.  It was my first time to be on the same agenda as the President, so that was quite exciting!  To those of you joining from that conference, welcome to the blog!  Here are some of the ag law stories in the news this week.   * US Supreme Court will not hear Endangered Species Act case involving Utah prairie dog.  You may remember a case in Utah where… Read More →

Difference Between an ICE Audit & an ICE Raid: Are You Prepared?

Posted on by

Numerous businesses–both agricultural and others–have faced audits or raids conducted by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement in recent years. Dr. Ellen Jordan, Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Dairy Specialist, and I published a fact sheet outlining the difference between an ICE audit and an ICE raid and discussing what a business owner should do to be adequately prepared in the event either of these occur.  From putting policies in place long before ICE ever knocks on the door, to understanding the legal rights afforded to a business facing an audit… Read More →

Hiring & Firing on the Farm: What You Need to Know

Posted on by

I recently wrote an article for Progressive Forage magazine on considerations for agricultural employers when hiring and firing employees. There are a number of considerations for employers to keep in mind from thoroughly investigating applicants to ensuring proper paperwork is completed to knowing what question to ask (and not ask!) in an interview.  Additionally, if the time comes to let someone go, employers should be aware of the law regarding termination and ensure they play by the rules. My article is available here and I also recently interviewed… Read More →

July 28, 2017 Weekly Round Up

Posted on by

It’s the last Friday in July!  I hope everyone is staying cool during this summer heat.  Last week, I did a presentation via distance technology to the Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers Association meeting in Kerrville.  Welcome to those of you joining who attended the livestock guardian dog session! Here are a few ag law stories in the news.  As you will see, two of these items are frequent fliers on the Weekly Round Up! *USCIS issues new form I-9, mandatory September 18.  The US Customs and Immigration… Read More →

March 3, 2017 Weekly Round Up

Posted on by

I’m sorry for missing our Round Up last Friday, I was out with sick little ones.  Hopefully now, we are all on the mend. Here are some of the ag law stories in the news recently. * How to audit your farm’s I-9 forms.  Current immigration issues and discussions have had a lot of folks really paying attention to their employee paperwork.  Remember, all employers must have I-9 forms on file for all employees.  For more background info on this requirement and the nuts and bolts of completing… Read More →

February 10, 2017 Weekly Round Up

Posted on by

This week I traveled to Plainview for the Hale/Swisher County Crops Conference.  Welcome to those of you joining from that presentation.  Here are some of the ag law stories in the news this week. * New I-9 Form required to be used by employers.  The Department of Labor has updated the I-9 Form.  No major modifications were made, but employers should be aware of and utilize the new form as of January 22, 2017.  For more background on the I-9 requirements, click here to read a fact sheet… Read More →