Lisbeth Ceballos, PCC-ICF, SHRM-SCP, Master NLP

🚨 Important Update for HR Professionals: Texas Service Center Operations Resume 🚨 As of June 3, 2024, the Texas Service Center (TSC) has resumed the intake of petitions following its temporary closure due to severe weather conditions. We're relieved to see operations return to normal, and I wanted to share some key points that might affect your organization: 📫Courier Services: Most courier services will reattempt delivery of documents that could not be delivered during the closure. There's no need for additional action from your side unless your petition or application is returned. 📂 Filing Flexibilities: For those affected by the intake disruption or severe weather, USCIS is offering filing flexibilities. These are considered on a case-by-case basis, providing some relief in these challenging situations. ⛈️ Premium Processing Update: Under 8 CFR 106.4(e)(22), the premium processing clock is paused during closures caused by weather-related events. This means there could be delays for premium processing cases that were not transferred to an adjudicating office before the closure. If your team needs any assistance navigating these changes or if you have questions about how this might impact your specific cases, don't hesitate to reach out. We're here to help ensure your immigration needs are met smoothly and efficiently. Stay safe and stay informed! #HR #ImmigrationLaw #CorporateImmigration #USCISUpdates #TexasServiceCenter

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WHAT I REMEMBERED IN HR THIS WEEK! VOTING AND TIME OFF Q. Do you have to give your Texas employees time off from work to go vote? A. No, if she has at least two consecutive hours to vote outside of work. Sections 276.001 and 276.004 of the Texas Election Code. Y, ou may deny a 9 - 5 employee's request to take time off from work to vote, because she actually has two blocks of time on election day, from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., to vote. But you must give excused time off to vote when an employee works 8:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Q. If I have to give an employee time off to vote, do I have to pay her? A. No for non-exempt employees but yes for exempt employees. Q. Do I have to give an non-exempt employee time off to vote when he requested to work overtime on election day, say, from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.? A. No. But if this same overtime is mandated for election day, you should pay him up to two hours at the rate he would be earning on that day. #HR #VotingRights #TimeOff #Compliance

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Understand Texas at-will employment and protect your business with these essentials! 💼 #HRTexas #AtWillEmployment #TheUnitConsulting #hr #smallbusiness #texassmallbusinesses #texassmallbusinessowners #smallbusinesssupport

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🚨 Big payroll news for employers: a Texas Federal judge halted the Department of Labor’s higher thresholds for overtime exemptions. ⏲️ The DOL rule had expanded the number of employees eligible for overtime, impacting businesses nationwide. 💵 Although there is no need to comply with the DOL rule, many employers have tough payroll decisions to make. Because the Texas ruling could be appealed, overturned, or enforced as is in the future, employers should remain proactive. We are in conversations with clients about what this development means for their businesses. WHAT THIS MEANS FOR EMPLOYERS ➡️ Reverting to pre-July 2024 salary thresholds eliminates the need for immediate salary or classification changes. ➡️ Employers who raised salaries or reclassified employees for compliance may consider rolling back changes but should weigh risks, including potential claims and impacts on morale. ➡️ State and local laws may still mandate higher thresholds—check compliance carefully (Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine, New York City, New York State, and Washington). The legal landscape is evolving—set your clients up for success. Let’s connect! #PEOpartners #InsuranceBrokers #Advisors #EmploymentLaw #HRCompliance

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🚀 Strategic Workforce Planning: Key to Future Success 🚀 (All Credit for @OKLAHOMA) Is your organization ready for the future? 🌟 Workforce planning is more than just filling vacancies—it's about aligning your talent strategy with your business goals to ensure long-term success. 📌 Key Focus Areas: - Recruitment and retention of skilled talent - Leadership and staff development - Succession planning for business continuity By identifying gaps between your current workforce and future needs, you can create actionable plans to build a more resilient and agile organization. Let’s start a conversation on how workforce planning can future-proof your organization! 💼 #WorkforcePlanning #TalentStrategy #FutureOfWork #LeadershipDevelopment #HRTransformation

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Insight into four-day workweeks here!

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As many employers have probably heard, a recent federal judge ruling has stopped the impending changes to the FLSA minimum salary threshold for exempt employees. Learn more in Laura Calhoun's recent legal update. #keepingcurrent #employmentlaw #hrcompliance

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Important FLSA Update for Employers! A Texas court has blocked the proposed changes to FLSA overtime rules nationwide. This has left many organizations grappling with compliance and the potential need to reverse recent changes. If you’re facing tough conversations with management and employees, now is the time to sharpen your communication skills. Salary.com has got you covered! Download our FREE guide, “Effective Compensation Communication: Best Practices for 2024,” to navigate these challenges with confidence. 👉 https://buff.ly/3CGBYWQ Need personalized support? Don’t hesitate to reach out! Book a FREE 30-minute consultation with one of our experts to help you develop a solid communication strategy and stay compliant. 👉 https://buff.ly/3Z4UiAq Let’s tackle this together! #Paypractices #HR #compliance #FLSA #HRStrategy

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We'll be covering some of the most challenging compliance issues that HR professionals face! #HR #HumanResources #Compliance #bestpractices

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Fair Chance Hiring allows employers to develop loyal talent and reduce turnover. Leaders from the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma have seen this firsthand by utilizing OKC Metro Alliance, Inc.'s Firstep program, which helps formerly incarcerated individuals, like Chris Eaton, reenter the workforce without experiencing barriers. Read more about Fair Chance Hiring and the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma’s experience with the Firstep program here - https://lnkd.in/gAwtGtGm

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While doing work for a Texas client today, I stumbled on a great resource that the Texas Workforce Commission puts out for employers. https://lnkd.in/e2qxSk2T This guide provides comprehensive overviews of federal and Texas regulations around a variety of employment topics including hiring, pay, and terminations. They also include references/links to statutes and sample templates for employers to use. At over 400 pages, the size can be daunting, but it is very searchable. I highly recommend this as a resource to other consultants in my network, small People teams, and small business employers whether or not you are based in Texas. #compliance #employmentlaw #workplacepolicies

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The Department of Labor’s final rule raising the salary threshold for white-collar exemptions and Highly Compensated Employees is scheduled to go into effect on July 1 unless the Eastern District of Texas issues a nationwide injunction this week. We previously identified multiple considerations for employers to think through as they prepare to comply with the rule: https://lnkd.in/eTtEGkra Employers must do more than comply with the increased salary thresholds, however. They also need to ensure that employees classified as exempt meet the job duties test, and employers have the burden of demonstrating that an employee is properly classified.   Different jurisdictions apply different evidentiary standards when analyzing exemptions, ranging from a “preponderance of the evidence” standard to a “clear and convincing” standard. But last week, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to review a decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit to address the standard of proof that employers must meet to show an employee is exempt from the FLSA minimum wage and overtime requirements. The Supreme Court will likely establish a uniform national standard, but we will have to wait until the Supreme Court’s next term for a decision.   In the meantime, employers should carefully analyze exempt positions, moving beyond just the salary threshold requirements and paying particular attention to whether the job duties performed by each employee meet the exemption requirements. Taking this important compliance step will reduce the risk of FLSA violations, regardless of what standard applies when exemption classifications are challenged. 

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📢 Breaking News in Employment Law! 📢 A recent Texas Supreme Court decision has vacated the DOL’s rule on increasing the salary threshold for white-collar exempt employees. This ruling could have a significant impact on employers and employees alike, reshaping how exempt classifications are handled moving forward. What are your thoughts on this decision? How might it affect your workplace policies or practices? Share your insights below! 👇 For more details, check out the full update: https://buff.ly/3Zm2xtb #EmploymentLaw #DOLUpdate #HRCompliance #SalaryUpdates

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