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Discrimination / Harassment

Judge doubles damages against University of Minnesota in golf coach case

05/22/2014
A long-running legal battle between a former women’s golf coach and the University of Minnesota has taken another turn. According to the golf coach’s attorney, problems began when the head of the university’s golf program found out that the new women’s coach was gay.

Warn managers: Even isolated comments about age can trigger an ADEA lawsuit

05/22/2014
Although a stray comment alone may not be enough to prove discrimination, when coupled with other evidence—like a younger individual hired to perform a similar or the same job as someone older who was terminated—the comment may come back to haunt you.

Comments don’t have to be overtly sexual to create an unlawful ‘hostile environment’

05/21/2014

The U.S. Supreme Court has said that Title VII gives employees, “the right to work in an environment free from discriminatory intimidation, ridicule, and insult whether based on sex, race, religion, or national origin.” To claim that they worked in a sexually hostile environment, em­­ployees typically need to point to ongoing discrimination based on the person’s gender.

No bling for EEOC: Judge blasts mishandling of bias claim

05/12/2014
The EEOC had one of its long-running cases dismissed after a federal judge in Buffalo criticized the commission’s handling of a discrimination case against Sterling Jewelers.

Violence against woman isn’t automatically sex bias

05/12/2014
While it’s always unacceptable, just because a man hits a female co-worker doesn’t mean she has a sex discrimination or harassment case.

Quickly addressing alleged retaliation saves the day

05/12/2014
You probably tell supervisors they shouldn’t punish employees for filing internal or EEOC discrimination complaints. That doesn’t mean employees who complain won’t perceive re­­tali­­ation in every slight change in their work situation. How you react can mean the difference between winning or losing a retaliation lawsuit.

Workplace tiff doesn’t mean workplace was necessarily a hostile environment

05/12/2014
Some employees seem to think that any uncomfortable situation at work can become the basis for a lawsuit. Fortunately, they are wrong. Co-workers don’t always get along, but that’s hardly grounds for a hostile work environment charge.

Worker facing discharge claims harassment? Investigate first, then fire if still warranted

05/12/2014
Sometimes, employers don’t learn about alleged discrimination or harassment until an employee brings up the claim when facing discharge for other reasons. If that happens, how should you respond?

Harassment fear won’t excuse insubordination

05/12/2014

When harassment allegations surface, we often advise separating the two parties to minimize chances of more misbehavior. Sometimes, employees find their own ways to keep away from harassers. However, business realities can make that unsustainable.

What caused the EEOC’s big age-bias charge spike?

05/08/2014
Was demography or economic distress to blame for the sudden jump in age discrimination charges between 2006 and 2008?