Depending on the circumstances, a "hostile environment" can amount to discrimination under the New Mexico Human Rights Act (“NMHRA”), NMSA § 28-1-1 et seq., and/or Title VII. In Ocana v. American Furniture Co., 135 N.M. 539, 91 P.3d 58, 66 (2004), the New Mexico Supreme Court... View More

In general, NM Stat § 50-4-2 (2016) limits the extent and manner in which an employer can withhold earned pay from employee paychecks.

This is not legal advice to you, but a general idea of the law. Whether and how it applies to you would depend on the details of your employment.

A number of statutes prohibit public and privates employers from retaliating against employees for making certain types of internal complaints. Two statutes commonly involved with such claims are the New Mexico Human Rights Act (“NMHRA”), NMSA § 28-1-1 et seq. and the New Mexico Whistleblower... View More

In certain situations, New Mexico Human Rights Act ("NMHRA"), NMSA § 28-1-1 et seq., requires an employer to consider an applicant for a position regardless of "spousal affiliation" or sexual orientation. In addition, if the employer retains some employees and terminates... View More

This is a great question. In general, child laborers 16 and over are not subject to special "work permit" (and associated approval and record) requirements in New Mexico. See, e.g., NM Stat § 50-6-2 (2007). However, because a 16 year old is still a "minor" under New Mexico... View More

In general, there is no law against an employer terminating employees for felony allegations, regardless whether they result in conviction. However, if the employer retains some employees and terminates others for have felony allegations, there may be a question of whether the employer is applying... View More

In general, an employer must provide certain notices and responses to employees regarding FMLA leave. See, e.g., https://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/whdfs28d.pdf . In addition, it is unlawful and gives rise to a particular cause of action if the employer terminates an employee in retaliation... View More

In general, an employer must, on regular, bi-monthly paydays, fully pay employees for all work done within the prior two weeks. NM Stat § 50-4-2 (2015). If the employee is discharged, the employee must make the payment within five days of the discharge. NM Stat § 50-4-4 (2015). If the employee... View More

In general, unless the employer has entered an agreement to continue a rate of pay or benefits for a certain period as to a certain job description and responsibilities, an employer can change the rate of pay, benefits, and job description and responsibilities going forward. This is not legal... View More

In general, unless the employer has entered an agreement to continue a rate of pay or benefits for a certain period as to a certain job description and duties, an employer can change the rate of pay, benefits, and job description and duties going forward. However, you mention this "is a... View More

In general, New Mexico "tort"/"negligence" law makes a person liable to anyone whom he causes accidental damage - whether at work, or anywhere else. Whether it is worth anyone's time to file or fight a lawsuit over a broken liquor bottle is a different question.... View More

In general, an employer must, on regular, bi-monthly paydays, fully pay employees for all work done within the prior two weeks. NM Stat § 50-4-2 (2015). If the employee is discharged, the employee must make the payment within five days of the discharge. NM Stat § 50-4-4 (2015). If the... View More

In general, for work already done, an employer must pay whatever rate of pay and benefits were agreed upon before the work was done. Unless the employer has also entered an agreement to continue a rate of pay or benefits for a certain period of time into the future, an employer can change the rate... View More

While there have been recent bills in the New Mexico Senate and House of Representatives to raise it, in general, the state-wide minimum wage by state law is still $7.50 per hour. NM Stat § 50-4-22 (2016). But some cities (e.g., Albuquerque, Las Cruces, and Santa Fe) impose a higher minimum wage... View More

There is a statute prohibiting employers from terminating employees "for the sole reason that that employee seeks workers' compensation benefits." New Mexico Workers’ Compensation Retaliation Statute, NMSA § 52-1-28.2. Whether and how it applies to you would depend on the details... View More

Someone is confusing the issue. The question is not whether it is "legal," but whether wearing a company logo may suggest an individual is an employee rather than an independent contractor of that company. There are different definitions and factors to determine "employee"... View More

An entity that is a “Federally Qualified Health Center” (FQHC) under Medicare and Medicaid statutes operates under certain federal regulations that may prohibit certain conflicts of interest, which may include nepotism in certain situations. Whether those regulations apply to you would depend... View More

In general, for work already done, an employer must pay whatever rate of pay was agreed upon before the work was done. Unless the employer has also entered an agreement to continue a rate of pay for a certain period of time into the future, an employer can change the rate of pay going forward, but... View More

Depending on the nature and size of the employer, this question may involve both federal and state law. As to New Mexico law, the local agency responsible for enforcing minimum wage laws has posted some helpful information on its website:... View More

In addition to limitations under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, New Mexico Statute Section 56-3-6 generally places some limits on the information "credit bureaus" can list, such as limiting reporting of bankruptcies to no longer than 14 years, collection accounts no longer than 7... View More