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Discrimination / Harassment

Growing workplace protections for transgender employees

10/08/2015
No federal law protects gay employees—including transgender employees—from discrimination or harassment because of their sexual orientation. However, courts and the EEOC have begun applying Title VII of the Civil Rights Act to protect transgender rights.

UPS grooming standards prompt religious bias lawsuit

10/08/2015
A Muslim applicant for a driver helper position with UPS in Rochester, N.Y. is one of the lead plaintiffs in a class-action suit against the delivery service. The EEOC is suing on behalf of several men of various religions who have either allegedly been forced to shave to obtain a UPS job or been denied employment because of their religious beliefs.

EEOC sues Schenectady Subway franchise for sexual harassment

10/08/2015
A manager at a Schenectady, N.Y. Subway franchise allegedly demanded sex from teenage applicants in exchange for jobs at the sandwich chain. Two underage girls reported the manager to the EEOC after he sent them explicit texts suggesting that they would be hired if they had sex with him.

Former employee reapplies? Beware retaliation lawsuit

10/08/2015
Consider this before dismissing a request for reinstatement or new job application from a former employee: She may be trying to set up a lawsuit alleging that turning her down amounted to retaliation. Don’t fall into that trap.

One stupid comment from boss doesn’t automatically create sex bias liability

10/08/2015

Of course, supervisors should never say anything off-color, insensitive or downright stupid. Unfortunately, it happens. However, it takes more than one dumb outburst to support a discrimination claim unless the comment is obviously highly offensive. Less than that, and an employee’s lawsuit is likely to be tossed out.

Harassment victim wins suit, comes up $832 million short

10/07/2015
A jury in New York City has awarded a  woman $18 million in her sexual harassment lawsuit against her former Wall Street boss.

Suburban Dallas bar settles pregnancy bias complaint

10/05/2015
Arthur’s Bar & Restaurant in Addison, Texas, has agreed to settle a pregnancy discrimination complaint for $20,000.

Oilfield services firm settles retaliation suit for $30,000

10/05/2015
Garrison Contractors, a West Texas oil-industry construction company, has agreed to settle charges it retaliated against a female employee after she reported sexual harassment.

Employees must explain religious objections

10/05/2015
The federal appeals court that covers Texas has come down on the side of an employer that fired a worker for insubordination for refusing to say a rosary. Reason: The employee never revealed that her religion prevented her from complying.

What managers need to know about sexual harassment

10/01/2015
Here’s a primer on what sexual harassment is and how to react when you see it.