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Discrimination / Harassment

Keep careful employee count—Exact numbers may pay off in lawsuit

07/02/2008
If a lawsuit involves several employees and Title VII violations, your legal bills could quickly grow. But the law caps damages depending on how many employees an employer had during the year in which the discrimination took place or the year before …

Tavern on the Green pays a big harassment tab

07/02/2008
Manhattan’s Tavern on the Green restaurant has agreed to pay $2.2 million for “severe and pervasive sexual, racial and national origin harassment of female, black and Hispanic employees.” The EEOC said sexual harassment at the Central Park landmark eatery included graphic comments and demands for sexual acts …

Nassau County SPCA faces sexual harassment suits

07/02/2008
Susan Collison of Massapequa, a former volunteer investigative sergeant with the Nassau County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), is suing the society, the county and its leadership for sexual harassment, gender discrimination and retaliation … 

Lack of ‘Potty parity’ can spark discrimination claim

07/01/2008

It may sound trivial, but employers in male-dominated industries should take note: Make sure your female employees have access to equal restroom facilities that meet women’s needs. Don’t expect women to adopt male restroom habits. 

Deflecting cupid’s arrow: Should you even try to prevent interoffice dating?

07/01/2008
Office romances may start off hot, but they can quickly cool down into disputes, hard feelings and even lawsuits. Don’t put a complete ban on romantic relationships between any co-workers. It’s unrealistic and impossible to police. Instead, prohibit dating between employees who report directly to one another …

Is Howard Stern harassing your female employees?

07/01/2008
The growth of XM and Sirius satellite radio service has brought uncensored radio programming into cubicles, warehouses and breakrooms. And as a new court ruling proves, employees who overhear such sexual banter—even if it’s not directed at them—can sue for harassment …

The HR I.Q. Test: July ’08

07/01/2008
Test your knowledge of recent trends in employment law, comp & benefits and other HR issues with our monthly mini-quiz …

Does your organization need insurance against employee lawsuits?

07/01/2008

No matter how careful employers are, they still can be sued. Recognizing the risk, more employers are choosing to protect themselves with employment practices liability insurance (EPLI), which covers your organization if it’s hit with an employment lawsuit. But it’s important to know which coverage is right for you …

Flex schedules: Do we have to offer to everyone?

07/01/2008

Q. Two of our employees are struggling with serious family issues that make it hard for them to get to work on time. We’ve let them adjust their schedules. Now we have others who want to adjust their schedules … Do we have to give schedule flexibility to all employees?

Ensure employees know how to complain about retaliation

07/01/2008
You know that employees who complain about harassment or discrimination shouldn’t suffer retaliation. But do you have a mechanism in place that prevents such retaliation? If not, it’s time to come up with one. Nipping retaliation in the bud is far cheaper than defending it in court …