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Discrimination / Harassment

Applebee’s franchisee sued in transgender harassment case

07/19/2017
The EEOC has filed suit against Apple Metro, the franchise holder of an Applebee’s restaurant in Hawthorne, New York, claiming it fired a transgender employee after she complained of co-worker harassment.

Discipline often stops co-worker harassment

07/19/2017
Employers don’t have to create a perfect workplace that’s completely free of harassment. They merely have to respond to reported harassment in a way that’s calculated to stop it fast.

Immediately get rid of offensive graffiti

07/19/2017
Employers can’t prevent every harassment incident. But they can provide a way for employees to complain about it and commit to taking swift action when they learn harassment has occurred. That’s typically sufficient if the harassment originates with co-workers and not supervisors.

Details matter when documenting discipline

07/19/2017
Smart employers make sure they document—in advance—the underlying reasons for any disciplinary actions. When preparing documentation, be sure to provide all the details, especially if two employees committed arguably similar offenses but were punished differently.

Farm settles case claiming bias against Americans

07/17/2017
Christner Farms in Dawson, in the southwest corner of Pennsylvania, has paid almost $22,000 to settle charges it filled positions with H-2A visa holders but refused to hire a qualified American citizen.

‘Mark of the Beast’ case settled for $600,000

07/17/2017
Consol Energy, headquartered in Pittsburgh, will pay a former employee $586,861 after the 4th Circuit affirmed a lower court’s ruling that he was forced to retire early when it refused to accommodate his religious beliefs.

Prepare to justify discipline occurring after employee complains about discrimination

07/13/2017
Simply put, a bad review all by itself isn’t usually grounds for a lawsuit in most cases. However, punishing someone with a bad review because they complained about discrimination may land you in legal trouble.

Texas Supreme Court greenlights Bev Kearney’s lawsuit

07/13/2017
The Texas Supreme Court has ruled that a long-simmering sex and racial discrimination lawsuit filed by former University of Texas women’s track and field coach Bev Kearney can proceed.

Supreme Court to hear religious freedom case

07/13/2017
A Colorado baker who was sued for refusing to bake a cake for a same-sex wedding will get to argue his case before the U.S. Supreme Court. The court agreed to hear Masterpiece Cakeshop, Ltd. v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission in the term that begins this fall.

EEOC sues Texas union for race discrimination

07/12/2017
The EEOC has sued a Texas school employees’ union, claiming it violated federal law when it fired two black organizers because of their race.