Category Archives: Employment/Labor Law

April 26, 2024 Weekly Round Up

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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

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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

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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?

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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 →

September 16, 2016 Weekly Round Up

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We hope everyone is enjoying some fall weather and football on tv!  Here are some of the agricultural law stories in the news this week. Appellate Court Reverses Decision, Finds EPA Violated Privacy of Farmers and Ranchers.  The United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth has reversed a trial court decision to dismiss a lawsuit filed by National Pork Producers Council and the American Farm Bureau Federation against the EPA for releasing farmers’ and ranchers’ personal information to environmental groups.  This case began when the EPA released… Read More →

Workers’ Compensation and Agriculture

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I recently wrote an article for Progressive Cattleman outlining workers’ compensation laws and agriculture.  This is a complex area of law, and the rules differ by state, but it is extremely important for farmers and ranchers and employees to be aware of the law in their state. To read the article, click here. (Note:  You may remember from a prior Weekly Round Up that the New Mexico Supreme Court recently held that the agricultural laborer exclusion to the NM Workers’ Compensation law was unconstitutional.  This article was written prior… Read More →