Rick Alaniz, of Alaniz Associates, has been at the forefront of labor and employment law for over forty years. He began his legal career as a trial attorney with the U.S. Department of Labor, served on the President's Cost of Living Council during the Nixon Administration and also held prominent posts within the National Labor Relations Board, first in Washington D.C. and later in Minneapolis where he coordinated the NLRB's enforcement actions in the five-state Midwestern region. A Partner in private practice since 1985, his experience has only deepened Rick's enthusiasm for labor and employment law and his drive for continued excellence in the field. He is Board Certified in Labor and Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Rick contributes dozens of articles per year on labor and employment law to trade journals and conducts numerous seminars each month to client companies and trade associations across the country.
March 19, 2018
Despite spending on average almost $4,000 to fill an open position, employers are finding that those tech-savvy millennials, Gen X, Y and Z new hires, often jump ship in a matter of months, if not sooner. Studies have confirmed that millennials change ...
January 30, 2018
The sexual harassment incidents that arise in today’s ordinary workplace are usually more mundane than the outrageous conduct reported recently involving the Hollywood set and some in the halls of Congress. The most frequently reported complaints ...
December 31, 2017
Too often workplace policies are only considered in the context of some negative workplace action when it is actually occurs, such as a termination or other employment issue. Sometimes it may involve a legal claim by an applicant or employee.
December 18, 2017
It should come as no surprise to most employers that today's workplace has come to be regarded as the most regulated place in America. It is so because of one simple fact. The federal government, state government, and even local entities, such as ...
November 20, 2017
By implementing or updating as needed, and consistently enforcing five (5) practical and well-known workplace policies, most employers can dramatically decrease the potential that a workplace decision involving an employee will result in ...
September 14, 2017
Over the past several years we have seen nationwide efforts, often precipitated by unions, to increase the minimum wage at the local level to $15 as a means of addressing economic inequality. The movement, called the "Fight for $15," has seen some ...
August 17, 2017
Issues surrounding immigration have been a focal point for employers since the 1986 passage of the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA). The effects of that law and its requirements have made the hiring process a source of major concern for many ...
July 18, 2017
Under the administration of President Donald J. Trump, employers may be able to anticipate many changes in the regulatory and legal environment. In particular, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), which had been very pro-union under Barack Obama ...
June 27, 2017
Do you hire other companies to complete jobs in your workplace? Did you realize that you could be liable for labor violations that the company commits while working there? There are two pending and one recently decided case that will alter how ...
May 22, 2017
Several years ago, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”), the federal agency that enforces the nation’s anti-discrimination laws, filed suit against AutoZone, Inc., accusing the auto parts retailer of violating the Americans with ...
March 16, 2017
With the proliferation of legalized marijuana among the states, the wide-spread use among employees that these state laws encourage, and changing positions from enforcement agencies, now is a good time for employers to review their drug testing ...
January 13, 2017
President-elect Donald Trump announced his choice for Labor chief, and while the nominee’s name may be relatively unknown, a look at his ideology reveals that his nomination is not much of a surprise. Indeed, throughout his campaign Trump has derided President Obama’s regulatory action, and during a recent stop in Des Moines, Iowa, Trump promised...…
