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Discrimination / Harassment

Train managers on job protections for employees who are victims of domestic abuse

01/15/2016
Some California employees who are victims of domestic violence have limited job protection when they need time off for treatment, court dates or other related events.

Other than ‘Congratulations!’ avoid most comments about pregnancy

01/15/2016
California law prohibits harassment on account of pregnancy. But not every comment about a pregnancy is grounds for a lawsuit. An innocent comment—or even a mildly offensive one—may be annoying, but that’s not illegal.

What protections do transgender employees and applicants have in Minnesota?

01/12/2016
Q. A job applicant disclosed during the interview that she is transgender. We are concerned that hiring this person may make other employees uncomfortable. I know it is against the law for Minnesota employers to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation. Does that, however, extend to transgender individuals?

Over GOP objections, Dayton OKs settling employee lawsuit

01/12/2016
Gov. Mark Dayton has authorized a $200,000 payment to settle a defamation, discrimination and harassment lawsuit filed by a former state employee.

Rescinded job offer amounted to pregnancy discrimination

01/12/2016

A Saint Louis Park, Minn., orthodontist has learned the hard way that you can’t offer a job but then rescind it when you learn your new hire is pregnant.

No benefits if there is no cooperation with investigation

01/12/2016
Employees who claim they quit be-cause their employer wouldn’t address harassment or discrimination are eligible for unemployment compensation benefits—if they gave the employer a chance to remedy the situation.

Muslims in the workplace: A guide to help managers avoid discrimination lawsuits

01/11/2016
No doubt the attacks in Paris and San Bernardino, Calif., have had a dramatic effect on the workplace for employees who are, or are perceived to be, Muslim or Middle Eastern. Here are some scenarios in Q&A format, compiled by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to help managers ensure that their workplaces are bias-free.

Each new racial slur can reset the litigation clock

01/08/2016

Generally, employees don’t have long to get the litigation ball rolling if they want to complain about discrimination. In most cases, they must file a complaint with the EEOC or a state agency within 300 days of an alleged discriminatory act. However, employees often have lots more leeway if they are claiming they had to work in a hostile environment characterized by repeated slurs or other harassing behavior.

Isolated comments aren’t enough to prove discrimination

01/07/2016
When an employee gets fired, his thoughts may turn to filing a lawsuit—maybe based on some suddenly remembered comment that he took as offensive or another supposedly discriminatory act. Fortunately, courts are rarely persuaded.

Racial slur or everyday saying? If it’s offensive, make sure it stops

01/07/2016
Certainly, train your managers that they cannot use common racist phrases and names. But go beyond the obvious and provide examples of other terms and behaviors that may not seem obvious. The following case provides an example.