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Discrimination / Harassment

Tell managers and supervisors: Absolutely no comments on pregnancy, parenthood allowed

06/09/2008
Nothing builds a circumstantial sex discrimination case like needless pregnancy and parenthood comments. Explain to all managers and supervisors that their subordinates’ childbearing plans are absolutely none of their business …

Use performance evaluations to pinpoint problems—And follow up

06/09/2008
There’s no point in completing performance evaluations and suggesting areas in which employees could improve if no one follows up. The best approach is to schedule an interim review for an employee who needs improvement. Then tell him what he needs to do before the next review …

Hillsborough pilot wins $36,000 age discrimination suit

06/09/2008
A crop-duster who accused Hillsborough County of refusing to hire him because of his age has won a jury verdict of $36,000 in back pay. John Van Voorhis claimed the hiring manager said he didn’t want “an old man pilot.” …

Prison nurses receive $630,000 for hostile work environment

06/09/2008
A federal jury found the Florida Department of Corrections guilty of condoning sexual harassment by male inmates in its Martin Correctional Institution …

Equal enforcement keeps juries from wondering about bias

06/06/2008
Employees who lose their jobs after committing some infraction often look for reasons to sue. Don’t give them an excuse to drag you into court! The best way to immunize your organization from lawsuits: Equitably and fairly enforce your work rules …

How not to manage a hostile work environment

06/06/2008
When employees complain about being harassed while at work, employers often wonder how to stop the offending behavior. One thing is certain—simply ordering employees to stop doing what they allegedly are doing isn’t enough …

Even workers unharmed by discrimination still could sue

06/06/2008
The floodgates of association discrimination lawsuits are slowly opening. Although the following case ultimately was dismissed because the employee couldn’t show he was harmed or that the company engaged in discriminatory hiring practices, it serves as a powerful reminder that lawsuits can come from just about any employee …

Lack of potty parity may spark sex discrimination claim

06/06/2008
Employers in male-dominated industries, take note: Make sure new female hires who work in a largely male environment have access to restroom facilities that meet women’s needs. Don’t expect women to adopt male restroom habits …

Settling a case? Make sure it spells out specifics if worker will stay employed

06/06/2008
Sometimes, the best thing to do is to settle an employee’s discrimination complaint. That’s especially true if you believe the employee may have a case and deserves a second chance. However, you don’t want the settlement to come back to bite you …

Lakota schools mired in race controversy

06/06/2008
Two employees of the Lakota School District north of Cincinnati resigned after an investigation confirmed they made racially insensitive remarks about black central office officials …