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Discrimination / Harassment

Workers’ comp claim can’t be basis for Title VII retaliation

02/01/2007

One part of the federal law that bans job discrimination (Title VII of the Civil Rights Act) makes it illegal to retaliate against employees who engage in “protected activity,” such as filing a discrimination complaint. But here’s a key point to remember: That protected activity must be related to discrimination claims under Title VII …

It’s up to employees to press harassment complaints

02/01/2007

While it’s vital to react promptly when employees formally file sexual harassment complaints, what do you do if they approach you informally and don’t want to make a formal complaint? …

211,000 reasons to make age-blind employment decisions: Employee can sue for mental anguish

02/01/2007

If Texas employers need any more reasons to avoid making hiring, firing, compensation or work condition decisions based on a person’s age, here’s a good one: Texas law says employees who prove their employers fired them due to their age are able to collect damages for mental anguish …

How to handle discipline for pregnant employees

02/01/2007

Q. We have an employee who was on probation when she became pregnant. What can we do if she continues to have performance problems? —J.J.

Should we keep copies of I-9 documentation?

02/01/2007

Q. My boss is concerned about the increased penalties against employers who hire illegal aliens. He wants to be sure our procedures are in keeping with the best practices. One question I have: What do we do with the documents that new employees present to comply with the I-9 requirements? Should we keep copies of them? And, if so, where? —G.S.

You’re not liable for other states’ discrimination laws

02/01/2007

Good news for New York employers: A new federal court decision says that you don’t have to comply with stricter anti-discrimination laws in an employee’s home state if the person works in New York …

Crude, foul-mouthed manager can easily spark a lawsuit

02/01/2007

HR professionals beware: Foul-mouthed managers are trouble, and the best policy is zero tolerance …

Train employees to avoid pestering workers who file lawsuits or in-house complaints

02/01/2007

Even if you think an employee’s complaint about alleged harassment doesn’t have legal merit, it makes sense to take steps to stop the offending behavior anyway. Otherwise, if the employee perceives that co-workers are targeting him for more harassment, he can quit and sue …

NYC celebrity restaurateur accused of racism

02/01/2007

Even the stereotypical hot-tempered chef is not immune to labor-law complaints, as Daniel Boulud, owner of the Upper East Side’s four-star restaurant, Daniel, recently learned …

Super Steel settles bias suit

02/01/2007

Glenville locomotive manufacturer Super Steel Inc. settled a lawsuit by black workers who alleged racial discrimination by employees and supervisors. The lawsuit sought $175 million but the settlement amount was not specified …