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Discrimination / Harassment

HRD investigating discrimination in tax refund loans

06/01/2007

The New York Human Rights Division is investigating whether tax refund anticipation loans are discriminatory …

Ambiguous answers may prompt retaliation charge

06/01/2007

It’s true: If you can’t say anything nice, sometimes it’s best not to say anything at all. It’s especially true if an employee has quit and filed a discrimination lawsuit …

Higher standards OK for probationary employees

06/01/2007

If yours is like most organizations, you probably make new employees serve a probationary period. It can provide insight into the new employee’s ability, attitude and how well he or she fits in. During probation, you can hold new employees to a higher standard than established employees …

Whistleblower Act doesn’t always require providing written notice to employer

06/01/2007

Under the Florida Whistleblower Act, if an employee is going to disclose an alleged employer violation of a law or a rule, the employer must get written notice. But that’s not true in every case …

Don’t like the hairstyles? Off with their wigs, too!

06/01/2007

The Miami-Dade County Corrections and Rehabilitation Department recently issued a new dress code that some officers say discriminates against black workers …

Where there are shredders, there are probably copiers, too

06/01/2007

Bay County Property Appraiser Rick Barnett resigned after settling sexual harassment complaints with two female employees …

Log for leave requests can save the day

06/01/2007

Problem employees—the kind that see discrimination, harassment and retaliation every time a supervisor so much as issues an oral warning for anything—won’t hesitate to sue and charge retaliation. They may even seek redress for minor slights by requesting FMLA leave and trying to trip you up if your response is not to their liking …

After winning the lawsuit, city lost its insurance

06/01/2007

The city of Fort Oglethorpe had to scramble to find insurance after the Georgia Interlocal Risk Management Agency canceled its property and liability coverage due to excessive claims …

Overqualified new hire? Look out for sex disparity

06/01/2007

Have you offered a well-qualified applicant a lower-ranking position than her experience indicates she’s qualified to perform? If so, better make sure there’s no sex disparity in your hiring patterns …

Prepare to justify why your hire beat rest of applicants

06/01/2007

Do you routinely receive many applications from people who are clearly well-qualified for open positions? If so, how can you safely narrow the field to only the most qualified? The larger the applicant pool, the more likely it is someone will sue for discrimination …