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Discrimination / Harassment

Even Lateral Transfer Can Be Declared ‘Illegal Retaliation’

12/01/2006

Whenever one of your employees files a discrimination claim, you now need to be ultracautious about making any changes to that employee’s job. That’s because almost any change—including lateral transfers with the same pay and title—can now be deemed an illegal "adverse employment action" by the court …

Disability harassment costs Wall Street firm half million

12/01/2006

Wall Street securities firm LaBranche & Co. agreed to pay former trading assistant Peter Servidio $500,000 to settle his disability harassment lawsuit …

Co-Worker’s flirtation isn’t sexual harassment

12/01/2006

Casting admiring glances or making other such flirtatious gestures toward a co-worker isn’t sexual harassment under the Florida Civil Rights Act. That law doesn’t require employers to guarantee that employees won’t ever look at each other in a way perceived as a "come-on" …

Review your severance packages; EEOC tightening scrutiny

12/01/2006

When employers offer severance packages, they often ask employees to waive their rights to sue the employer. That’s a smart strategy, but small discrepancies in the agreement’s wording can make the difference between a successful severance package and a call from the EEOC …

Employers can be liable for harassing customers, too

12/01/2006

Employees have the legal right to work in a harassment-free environment, and employers must take corrective measures to end harassment when it comes to their attention. It doesn’t matter that the harassment comes from customers or others the employer has no control over …

More teens allege sexual harassment as the EEOC and media heighten awareness

12/01/2006

Just because employees are young doesn’t mean they don’t know their rights to a harassment-free workplace. The media firestorm involving Rep. Mark Foley’s improper e-mails to teen pages in Congress raised awareness among workers, parents and employers about harassment of teen workers …

Set firm moonlighting policy; punish violators equally

12/01/2006

You have the right to prohibit employees from engaging in other gainful employment while at work. But can you (or should you) ban off-the-clock moonlighting? And when should you discipline employees for moonlighting? …

Release only essential information about a RIF

12/01/2006

When conducting a reduction in force (RIF), it’s vital to handle severance offers carefully. Make sure you don’t needlessly give discharged employees the idea that they can file an age-discrimination lawsuit …

The danger of fumbling lawsuit paperwork: a case study

12/01/2006

When facing a lawsuit, nothing kills your defense faster than ignoring the paperwork that automatically comes with the territory. While many employment lawsuits may be frivolous, make sure you retain counsel …

‘Adios, Regular Guys’; radio show sued for DJs’ harassing antics

12/01/2006

The “all in good fun” argument didn’t pan out for Larry Wachs and Eric Von Haessler, the “Regular Guys” on WKLS-FM 96 Rock morning radio show …