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Discrimination / Harassment

Sex harassment, retaliation cost gourmet company $535K

06/16/2011
Monterey Gourmet Foods, a Salinas specialty foods maker, will pay $535,000 to settle an EEOC lawsuit alleging a supervisor sexually har­assed workers, who were fired after they complained.

LAPD pays huge judgment for sexual orientation retaliation

06/16/2011
A state court jury has awarded more than $1 million to a Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) sergeant who sued the department for retali­a­tion after he complained about shoddy treatment because he is gay.

Employee cites mental distress? Ask for mental exam

06/16/2011
Employees who sue but can’t show they suffered any monetary damages sometimes claim mental distress instead. Fortunately, courts don’t just take their word it, especially if the employee claims she had to undergo psychiatric treatment.

Disabled employee can’t work at all? You can terminate without violating FEHA

06/16/2011
The California Fair Employment and Housing Act doesn’t require employers to provide unlimited time off for employees with disabilities. The fact is, employees with disabilities are still expected to come to work (at least some of the time) and perform the essential functions of their jobs with or without accommodations while they are there.

Suspect that ’emergency’ was bogus? When to ask for a (real) doctor’s note

06/16/2011
Some people will do anything to get out of work early, including lying about their child’s health. One employer did the smart thing and demanded proof when it became suspicious.

It takes more than protected status to win lawsuit

06/15/2011
Here’s some good news for employers. Courts are beginning to toss out more lawsuits in the early stages if it becomes clear an employee has no case. Judges are telling employees they have to come to court with real facts—not just allegations they were discriminated against.

Not all harassment based on sex is illegal

06/15/2011

Some employees mistakenly believe that teasing, joking and otherwise making fun of an employee is always grounds for a harassment lawsuit. That’s not true. For example, in order to sue for sexual harassment, employees have to show that the conduct they object to is somehow tied to their gender.

Ensure romance rules protect against association bias

06/15/2011
Consider this when writing policies: Employees can sue if their employer discriminates against them because of their “association” with a member of a protected class. And that association can include dating and other intimate relationships.

Quiz for managers: Documenting discipline the legal way

06/14/2011

If an employee ever sues, you need to have strong documentation of performance, behavior and discipline issues. Managers sit on the front lines of the documentation battlefield. Have your supervisors take our quiz to test their knowledge of documentation do’s and don’ts. Plus, learn three documentation rules every manager must know.

With chef in hot water, Lisle hotel settles bias suit

06/10/2011
The EEOC and the Hilton Lisle/Naperville Hotel in Lisle have agreed to settle a ­national-origin harassment suit filed by several Hispanic employees who worked in the hotel’s kitchen. The group will split a $195,000 settlement.