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Discrimination / Harassment

Don’t stray from layoff procedures

01/01/2003
A 65-year-old employee was laid off as part of a reduction in force. She claimed her supervisor had made age-related comments, and the company failed to follow its published RIF criteria …

Beware new court trend: Employees use expert to shift blame for failure

01/01/2003
If an employee drags you into court, don’t be surprised if the worker totes along his own expert witness to put your company in a bad light. More employees are …

Transfer to more demanding job doesn’t add up to retaliation

01/01/2003
After railroad laborer Sheila White complained that her foreman sexually harassed her, her employer investigated and temporarily suspended the foreman without pay. Soon after, the company gave White’s forklift duties to …

Failed romance frustration doesn’t equal sex harassment.

01/01/2003
A corporate officer had an on-again/off-again dating relationship with his direct subordinate. After the couple’s third dating stint ended, the boss sent e-mails and gifts to his lost love, asking her …

Wise up to national-origin bias rules; claims spiked in 2002

01/01/2003
Acquaint yourself with newly updated guidelines from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) that teach employers how to foster work environments free of national-origin discrimination. Coming on the heels of 9/11, …

ADEA: Prevent fastest growing, most expensive type of bias

01/01/2003
Expensive mistake Median award by type of bias: ’94-’00 cases Age $268,926, Disability 175,001, Race 120,951, Sex 100,000. Source: Jury Verdict Research …

Inconsistent hiring sinks your defense

12/01/2002
Don’t leave the hiring and firing process up to your managers. Standardize your practices, and make sure everyone follows them. Giving any worker, especially a disabled one, the bum’s rush will …

Rein in abusive managers: Even ‘Flip Wilson’ claim sways jury

12/01/2002
You’d think that 12 jurors wouldn’t look kindly on an armed robber’s claim that job discrimination drove him to rob a convenience store with a sawed-off shotgun. But you would …

You don’t have to police workplace banter, but don’t let it escalate

12/01/2002
On the production floor, Lisa Ocheltree had to listen to conversations between male co-workers about their sexual exploits, which included vulgar language. The men showed …

Your benefits liability may not end with company sale

12/01/2002
While Denise Lessard was on disability leave, the company she worked for was sold. All employees were automatically employed by the acquiring firm as long as they were “actively employed” on …