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Discrimination / Harassment

Allowing bias by subcontractor could be ‘Aiding and abetting’

12/01/2006

If your organization hires a subcontracting firm and knows that it’s discriminating against its employees, take note: You could be held liable under a rather obscure part of Pennsylvania law …

Workers have two years to sue under PHRA

12/01/2006

When an employee files an EEOC claim and the federal agency decides to dismiss it, that employee has up to 90 days to file a lawsuit on his or her own behalf. But it’s a different story with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (PHRA) …

Williamhouse settles pay-Bias lawsuit with three employees

12/01/2006

Envelope-maker Williamhouse of Pennsylvania settled a lawsuit with three supervisors who claimed they were underpaid because they are black …

EEOC dishes up harassment lawsuit to Turkey Hill

12/01/2006

The EEOC filed a lawsuit against Turkey Hill Dairy, Inc. alleging the company maintained a hostile work environment in its Conestoga Dairy facility in Lancaster County …

New Oxford tavern owner accused of sexual harassment

12/01/2006

The EEOC last month filed a lawsuit against the owner of the Crazy Horse Steak House & Saloon in New Oxford for sexually harassing female employees …

Pa. lawmakers backing gay-Discrimination bill

12/01/2006

If Senator Jim Ferlo (D-Allegheny) and 19 other state senators get their way, employers will have another anti-discrimination law to worry about. Ferlo has reintroduced legislation that would ban gay discrimination in employment, housing and credit …

Texas court clarifies new definition of ‘Retaliation’

12/01/2006

Just a few months ago, the U.S. Supreme Court established a broad new legal standard for judging whether an employer has retaliated against an employee for complaining about discrimination (Burlington Northern v. White). Now, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals has applied the standard to its first retaliation case after the Supreme Court decision. The news is good for employers …

Make sure your arbitration agreement is valid in Texas

12/01/2006

Arbitration agreements, in which employees give up their rights to go to court and instead submit their cases to arbitration, can be a great way to avoid unpredictable juries, negative publicity and the expense of a full-blown lawsuit. But if the agreement isn’t worded just right, you may end up with more expense and lost time rather than less …

Denial of lateral transfer isn’t an ‘Adverse job action’

12/01/2006

Employees who think a supervisor is treating them unfairly and suspect discrimination often will look for an escape. One tactic is to ask for a transfer to another department or location. Don’t think that you’re required to acquiesce …

Workplace stats can help disprove discrimination intent

12/01/2006

Nothing rankles employers more than being accused of discrimination when the statistics show that their workplace is a model of diversity and equal opportunity. You can turn those statistics in your favor …