By Kelline R. Linton, Junior Associate. The new federal budget, which became law on December 26, 2013, includes a provision that caps federal reimbursement for contractor compensation at $487,000 annually. This cap applies to both military and civilian contractors, and significantly reduces the highest level of contractor compensation from […]
E-alerts
81 posts
By Kelline R. Linton, Junior Associate. As the new year begins, Texas employers should ensure their workplace compliance posters are up-to-date and meet all regulatory requirements. Texas requires all employers to display posters containing information on the Texas Payday Law, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Occupational Safety […]
By Kelline R. Linton, Junior Associate. The National Defense Authorization Act (“NDAA”) for Fiscal Year 2014 features several important legislative changes that may soon impact federal contractors. The following are key highlights for 2014: The NDAA replaces funds to cover underfunded combat operations and maintenance programs. The NDAA […]
By Kelline R. Linton, Junior Associate. Hot off the Press! According to the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Heimeshoff v. Hartford Life & Accident Insurance on December 16, 2013, a contractual limitations clause in an ERISA-governed long-term disability benefits plan is enforceable even if it causes the limitations period […]
By Kelline R. Linton, Junior Associate. Federal contractors should be aware of a new practice that attempts to circumvent the Contract Disputes Act (“CDA”) requirement of a Contracting Officer’s (“CO”) final decision. In a recent case before the Armed Service Board of Contract Appeals, the Army had entered into […]
By Linda H. Evans, Senior Associate. Hot off the Press! According to a ruling on December 3, 2013, by the Fifth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, employers can require their workers to sign arbitration agreements waiving all rights to class-action lawsuits over workplace grievances. This ruling overturns a National […]
By Linda H. Evans, Senior Associate. Metroclean Commercial Building Services, a company that provides cleaning services to many prominent businesses in Houston including the Houston Independent School District, has just agreed to pay nearly $275,000 in back wages to 266 janitors after a U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) investigation […]
By Kelline R. Linton, Junior Associate. The House Armed Services Committee recently announced a new initiative to extensively review and reform the Department of Defense’s acquisition system. HASC Vice Chairman Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-Tex.) and Ranking Member Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.) will lead the initiative. The Committee began […]
By Kelline R. Linton, Junior Associate. In Orozco v. Plackis, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas recently upheld an unusual jury finding that a franchisor principal was the employer of the former franchisee’s employee, although the employee testified that the principal had no direct control […]
By Linda H. Evans, Senior Associate. On September 17, 2013, the Wage and Hour Division of the DOL announced a final rule extending the FLSA’s minimum wage and overtime protections to most of the nation’s direct care workers who provide home care assistance to elderly, disabled, injured, or ill […]