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Discrimination / Harassment

Courts zapping frivolous litigants with sanctions

07/31/2014
Frivo­­lous lawsuits can take up lots of time and cost thousands of dollars in legal fees before it’s all over. Fortunately, courts are becoming more willing to punish truly frivolous lawsuits and the employees who bring them.

No need to establish absolute proof before terminating alleged harasser

07/31/2014
Employers shouldn’t worry too much about firing an employee they believe sexually harassed another employee. As long as you conduct an investigation and reasonably believe the employee broke company rules against harassment, a court likely won’t second-guess your judgment. You don’t have to be absolutely right… just honest.

Obama signs order prohibiting LGBT bias at fed contractors

07/29/2014
President Obama made good on his June 16 promise that he would ban federal contractors from discriminating against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender workers and job applicants. An executive order signed July 21 applies to companies with contracts worth $10,000 or more.

EEOC eyes personal training company for legal workout

07/23/2014
Custom Built Personal Training in Modesto, Ca. will have to whip its pregnancy-leave policy into shape after the EEOC threw its weight behind a fired employee’s lawsuit.

Be prepared to justify military employee’s discharge

07/23/2014

USERRA provides job protection for military-connected employees once they re­­turn from extended military service. Employers shouldn’t fire covered workers without good cause and solid reasons. Be prepared to show you would have taken the same action whether the employee served or not.

Suspect employee didn’t file on time? Raise that issue early in litigation process

07/23/2014
Here’s a warning for employers facing litigation: Don’t wait to check whether the employee filed EEOC or other administrative claims on time. Raise the issue early.

Supreme Court to hear PDA accommodation case

07/18/2014
The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to decide a case that will determine if the Pregnancy Discrimination Act requires employers to grant light-duty accommodations to pregnant workers.

Harassment: How to stop it before–and after–it starts

07/17/2014
Protect your organization from harassment lawsuits by focusing your attention on both preventive and corrective measures.

New EEOC guidelines expand legal protections for pregnant employees

07/15/2014
Employers can now be required to provide accommodations to this class of workers.

Dakota County, Minn. workforce center settles disability case

07/15/2014
The Dakota County Burnsville Work­­force Center has agreed to settle federal charges that it discriminated against a client by perceiving her to have a disability.