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Discrimination / Harassment

Territory bias was a million-dollar mistake

10/29/2019
Here’s a warning for managers who assign sales or service territories to employees: Never make assumptions about who can best serve your customers on the basis of race, national origin or other protected characteristics.

Yes, you can require Social Security number to hire

10/24/2019
Some people refuse to use a Social Security number based on their religious beliefs. However, employers must know an employee’s Social Security number to comply with federal tax and immigration laws.

51 years old: The age discrimination tipping point

10/24/2019
American workers who are over age 40 say that 51 years old is the age at which Americans are most likely to experience age discrimination in the workplace, says a new survey of 400 people by Hiscox, an international insurance firm.

$5 million settlement in Intel pay discrimination case

10/21/2019
Computer chip-maker Intel will pay $5 million to settle federal charges of systemic pay discrimination against female, black and Hispanic employees at facilities in Arizona, California and Oregon.

You’ll pay if dress code incites harassment

10/21/2019
If you are in the restaurant or entertainment industry and require employees to wear revealing outfits at work, prepare for an unfortunate if entirely predictable consequence: Customers may harass your workers.

Your best legal strategy: Document poor performance

10/15/2019
When employers document poor performance and keep clear records with detailed information, they seldom lose a surprise lawsuit over allegedly biased decision-making.

Nepotism isn’t necessarily discriminatory

10/15/2019
Justified or not, unsuccessful candidates without an inside track may feel as if they were cheated because they weren’t related to someone with influence, who could pull strings to help them. That disappointment won’t necessarily mean they will be able to turn charges of blatant nepotism into a Title VII discrimination case.

Snapshot: Who leads efforts to address pay inequality?

10/15/2019
CEOs and other senior executives lend credibility to employer efforts to ensure women and minorities earn equal pay, but HR leads the day-to-day work.

A breakthrough for LGBT rights in High Court?

10/15/2019
Oct. 8 marked a historic day for the U.S. Supreme Court: The first time the nation’s highest court has heard oral arguments that could lead to rulings on whether discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity equals sex discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.

’Tis the season for religious accommodation

10/10/2019
Planning for office holiday parties will begin soon. As you prepare for revelry, be aware that for some employees, holiday celebrations provoke anxiety.