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Discrimination / Harassment

Create an anti-discrimination action plan now

04/28/2009

If discrimination has always been a head-in-the-sand issue for you and your organization, it’s time to get serious about your policies and practices. Discrimination complaints of all types—race, sex, age, etc.—have climbed as steeply in the past year as the economy has fallen. Don’t get caught flat-footed.

EEOC issues employer best practices on work/family balance

04/28/2009

A new EEOC document spells out the best practices employers should follow to avoid discriminating against workers who care for ill family members, an issue that’s especially critical in a down economy. Follow our links to download your copy of this important EEOC guidance.

Free handout: The 9 discrimination flashpoints your managers must avoid

04/28/2009

Last year, U.S. employees filed a record number of legal complaints claiming they suffered discrimination at work. You know that U.S. anti-discrimination laws require managers to treat all applicants and employees equally. But what, specifically, do the laws require of supervisors and managers? Here’s a rundown.

Understanding federal laws on employee discrimination

04/28/2009
Last year, U.S. employees filed a record number of legal complaints claiming they suffered discrimination at work. You know that U.S. anti-discrimination laws require managers to treat all applicants and employees equally. But what, specifically, do the laws require of supervisors and managers? Here’s a rundown: AGE. The Age Discrimination in Employment Act says you […]

Warn bosses against even subtle retaliation

04/27/2009

We can’t say it often enough: Employees can lose discrimination claims and still end up winning big because their employers retaliated against them for complaining in the first place. Don’t let that happen at your organization. Develop a plan to stop retaliation dead in its tracks …

AW North Carolina offers early-outs to entire staff

04/27/2009

Auto parts maker AW North Carolina has offered buyouts to all 1,100 employees at its Durham Treyburn Corporate Park location. The company is hoping 500 employees will accept the offers, leaving the supplier with a leaner workforce more in line with industry standards.

Don’t be afraid to terminate if manager can’t manage personal relationships

04/27/2009

Some people have more trouble than others managing personal relationships. When such a person has a supervisory role, the result can be disastrous. Don’t fear discharging a lousy manager based on what you observe or find out following an investigation.

Carefully track all discipline details to show you treat all employees fairly

04/27/2009

Employees who are disciplined sometimes think they’ve been treated unfairly. Some inevitably look for some nefarious reason—like sex, age or race discrimination—to explain the injustice they suffered. And when their lawsuits reach court, you’ll have to turn over your disciplinary records…

Offer alternatives to reporting discrimination straight up the ‘chain of command’

04/27/2009

If an employee suspects his manager of bias, you can’t expect him to go to that particular boss to make a complaint. And you can’t expect to escape a lawsuit if you discipline the employee for going around the boss to report his concerns.

EEOC loses first round of lactation harassment case

04/27/2009

In a case the EEOC probably will appeal to the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals, a federal trial court has ruled that comments about a lactating mother’s breasts over a two-month period weren’t pervasive enough to create a sexually hostile environment.