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Discrimination / Harassment

Police want info about an employee? Respond, be honest

10/01/2013
If you’re honest when law enforcement officials ask for information about a potential crime involving an employee, the worker can’t sue for false arrest, even if he’s not formally charged or eventually is found not guilty.

Faith events require reasonable accommodation

10/01/2013
Employees are entitled to reasonable accommodations for their religious needs, which can include time off to attend religious services. The key is reasonable. If you can document that, under the circumstances, a request is unreasonable, you don’t have to make the accommodation.

Restaurateur tries the ‘I yell at everyone’ defense

09/30/2013
The subject of an EEOC gender discrimination lawsuit claims he berates all his employees, not just the women. The owner of Ricardo’s Restaurant in Erie said so in a response to a sexual harassment suit filed against him by a former employee.

EEOC cheesed over pay, hours at Philly fast-food franchise

09/30/2013
Market Burgers, which owns a Checkers fast-food franchise in West Philadelphia, faces charges it pays women less than men and doesn’t let women work as many hours as men.

Using contractors won’t stop race bias claims

09/30/2013
Don’t assume that just because a worker is an independent contractor, he can’t sue you when his contract isn’t renewed. While he may not be able to sue under Title VII for various forms of discrimination, he can still sue for alleged racial discrimination.

How can we make sure Halloween party costumes don’t cross the line?

09/27/2013
Q. We would like to throw a Halloween party for our employees during working hours. Many want to wear costumes. Should we have a costume dress code? We are worried some employees may go too far.

Changes to California law address harassment motive

09/27/2013
Gov. Jerry Brown has signed into law SB 292, a bill that clarifies that an individual filing a sexual harassment complaint under state law need not prove that the sexually harassing conduct was motivated by sexual desire.

San Diego’s mayor resigns, settles sexual harassment claim

09/27/2013
San Diego Mayor Bob Filner has resigned after settling sexual harassment claims against him.

Keep it neat! You can restrict facial hair

09/27/2013
Private employers have the right to set their own dress and grooming codes. Within limits, that includes restricting an employee’s facial hair and insisting on a clean-shaven face unless an employee can’t shave because of a documented medical condition or religious requirement.

Slam the brakes on escalating harassment

09/27/2013
Don’t hesitate to stop behavior that hasn’t quite risen to the level of full-blown harassment. Do it as soon as you get wind that something is amiss.