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Discrimination / Harassment

Investigation should consider all sides of the story

08/01/2007

Not every allegation of sexual harassment is well-founded, and some employees may be overly sensitive. That’s why your investigation should consider all sides, including the alleged victim’s reaction and treatment of the alleged harasser. As the following case shows, a thorough investigation may reveal that the problem is with the alleged victim’s perception and his or her response to the alleged harassment …

Even after election, you still need solid reason to discharge nonsupporters

08/01/2007

It’s a practice as old as politics: When there’s a newly elected sheriff in town, deputies left over from the old administration may lose their jobs. But if you’re the HR professional handling the changes, make sure you know which employees can be dismissed and which cannot be merely because of their political affiliation. As the following case shows, public employees in nonpolicy positions are protected from post-election bloodbaths …

Vonage to employee: ‘Come back after you convert’

08/01/2007

The EEOC has filed suit against Vonage Holdings Corp., based in Holmdel, for terminating a technical service agent because he is an Orthodox Jew. The lawsuit alleges that Vonage America Inc. barred the agent from taking a required six-week training course because he had to miss time to observe Jewish holidays …

New NJ law prohibits transgender discrimination

08/01/2007

This summer, New Jersey became the ninth state to outlaw discrimination against people because they are transsexual, cross-dressers, asexual, of ambiguous gender or not traditionally masculine or feminine …

Now brewing at Camden café: a sexual harassment suit

08/01/2007

New Jersey’s Division on Civil Rights has filed suit against City Coffee, a café in downtown Camden, following numerous complaints of sexual harassment. Six former employees claim that café owner Ronald Ford Jr. repeatedly touched them and asked them to have sex with him. The women alleged that Ford carefully conducted all his inappropriate acts out of view of surveillance cameras in the small café …

Philly police officer may not wear Muslim head scarf

08/01/2007

A federal judge has ruled that a Philadelphia police officer does not have the right to wear a hijab, or head scarf, when she is in uniform. Kimberlie Webb, an officer since 1995, was suspended after showing up three times at roll call wearing her hijab, despite being told not to. The EEOC filed suit against the Philadelphia police department …

Restaurant owner learns price of harassment: $40,750

08/01/2007

Three female employees of the Crazy Horse Steak House in New Oxford will share $40,750 for harassment allegedly committed by owner Nicholas Mavros. The women claimed Mavros commented on their breasts, asked what color underwear they were wearing, invited them to come to a motel to have sex, touched them against their wishes and even put his hands down an employee’s pants …

The whole truth: Discrimination costs Philips Lighting $164,850

08/01/2007

A female temporary worker on a long-term assignment for NJ-based Philips Lighting Co. won a $164,850 verdict for gender discrimination against the company. The woman, who worked in the warehouse of the company’s Mountaintop, PA, plant, claimed the company offered full-time positions only to male temps. She asked about full-time employment several times and was told she was next in line. Instead, she was fired …

Immigration: Know Your ‘Border Guard’ Responsibilities

08/01/2007

Immigration reform was a hot topic in Washington during the first half of 2007, but Congress ultimately failed to pass legislation to tighten enforcement of decades-old laws that regulate which foreign-born workers are eligible to work in the United States. Fairly or not, look for employers and the HR functions to bear much of the enforcement responsibilities. Your best bet: Make sure you document employees’ eligibility to work by thoroughly completing and maintaining up-to-date I-9 forms …

Hiring questions: What’s off limits?

08/01/2007

Q. What questions are off limits on an employment application or when conducting a job interview?