Human Resources Counseling

Human Resources Counseling

Human Resource professionals are expected to be up-to-date on employment laws and how they apply to their workforce.  Plus, any task performed by HR carries some amount of legal risk.

With as often as rules change and as varied as employee needs and issues can be, HR professionals need a trusted partner.  Ruder Ware’s employment attorneys are often considered an extension of a company’s internal HR department.  Our attorneys are up-to-date on current state and federal employment laws and have walked seasoned HR professionals through incredibly tense employee issues and have emerged with practical solutions and sound advice.

Our attorneys provide counsel on:

  • Background investigations and pre-employment screening
  • Disability accommodation & leave management
  • Drug and alcohol testing
  • Employment contracts and arbitration agreements
  • Employee handbooks and policies
  • Employee privacy
  • FMLA/ADA solutions
  • Immigration & Workforce Mobility
  • International employment
  • Nondiscrimination
  • Occupational safety and health
  • Protection of trade secrets and confidential information, and drafting non-disclosure and non-competition agreements
  • Severance agreements
  • Training for executives, managers and employees (including harassment prevention and social media)
  • Wage and hour
  • Workplace harassment
  • Workplace investigations into employee misconduct
  • Workforce restructuring & reductions in force

While our attorneys are skilled at proactive measures, issues such as accidents, missteps, or claims against the company are still a possibility.  Ruder Ware’s team of litigators are prepared to provide counsel at that next level – whether through mediation or litigation.

Founded in 1920, Ruder Ware provides business, employment, estate planning, and litigation services. A full-service law firm, over 45 attorneys provide clients with a one-stop approach to their legal needs. Ruder Ware, Business Attorneys for Business Success.

The FTC’s Ban on Noncompetes Remains Imminent for Most Employers as Legal Challenges Continue

Posted on July 8, 2024 by , and

On July 3, 2024, a federal judge in Texas granted a preliminary injunction in a lawsuit challenging the FTC’s noncompete ban. Notably, the injunction only applies to those plaintiffs named in the suit. All other employers will still need to comply with the noncompete ban when it takes effect in September. A final decision on […]

DOL’s New Overtime Rule Litigation Update: Texas Federal Judge Denies Postponement of Rule for a Private Employer

Posted on July 2, 2024 by and

Late Monday afternoon, a federal judge in Texas denied a marketing firm’s motion for a preliminary injunction to halt the DOL’s new overtime rule. This denial affirms that, for now, employers, other than the State of Texas, must comply with the DOL’s new overtime rule which went into effect Monday, July 1, 2024. As each […]

Texas Federal Judge Postpones DOL’s New Overtime Rule ONLY for Employees Working for the State of Texas

Posted on July 1, 2024 by and

This past Friday, a Texas federal judge granted a preliminary injunction for the State of Texas, postponing the effective date of the Department of Labor’s new overtime rule. Currently, the injunction is limited only to State of Texas employees. All other employers must still comply with the final rule which went into effect today, July […]

2025 HSA Limits Are Announced

Posted on May 9, 2024 by

On May 9, 2024, the IRS announced the Health Savings Account limits for 2025.  With respect to contribution limits, the limits are higher than the ones for 2024 and the required deductible and out-of-pocket maximums have increased as well.  As a reminder, these inflation adjusted amounts are effective for calendar year 2025. HSA/HDHP Requirement Cost-of-Living […]

Breaking News: FTC Finalizes Nationwide Noncompete Ban

Posted on April 23, 2024 by

Today the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) voted to finalize a new rule to prohibit employers from enforcing noncompetes against employees. Highlights of the new rule include: Employers are prevented from entering into new noncompetes with workers on or after the rule’s effective date, which will be 120 days after the rule is published (which will […]

Breaking News: DOL Issues Final Overtime Rule

Posted on April 23, 2024 by

Today the Department of Labor issued its long-awaited rule raising the fixed salary requirements for employees in the executive, professional, and administrative exemption categories (EAP) and increasing the standard salary level and the total annual compensation requirement for highly compensated employees (HCE). (Note that the State of Wisconsin does not recognize the HCE exemption, so […]

Navigating Employment Verification Challenges: When to Seek Tailored Legal Advice

Posted on January 25, 2024 by

Federal laws place employers in a challenging position, requiring them to navigate between compliance with laws designed to prevent the employment of persons not eligible to work in the United States and laws punishing discrimination and document abuse. Non-compliance can lead to lawsuits, fines, and potentially even criminal prosecution. While all employers would benefit from […]

IRS Releases Mileage Rates for 2024

Posted on December 14, 2023 by

The Internal Revenue Service issued the 2024 optional standard mileage rates today for computing the deductible cost of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical, or moving purposes.  The most notable change is the slight per mile increase for businesses. Effective January 1, 2024, the optional standard mileage rates for the use of a car […]

2024 Qualified Plan Cost of Living Increases, 2024 Social Security Taxable Wage Base

Posted on November 1, 2023 by

On November 1, 2023 the Internal Revenue Service announced the cost-of-living adjustments for the various qualified retirement plan limits.  Almost all of the limits shown below have increased from last year.   Qualified Plan Limit Cost-of-Living Adjustments 401(k) and 403(b) elective deferral limit 2023 – $22,500 2024 – $23,000 $200,000 compensation limit 2023 – $330,000 […]

Evaluate the Risks When Using Non-Competes

Posted on September 27, 2023 by

In today’s interconnected world, how to protect vital business assets such as key employees and confidential information is top of mind for businesses. Tools such as non-solicitation, non-compete and non-disclosure agreements are utilized as a method of protection for businesses. However, the changing legal landscape related to non-compete provisions has made it essential to be […]

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