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Discrimination / Harassment

Taxpayers no longer on hook for Capitol Hill harassment

02/12/2019
President Trump signed legislation that holds members of Congress personally liable for legal bills incurred as a result of civil actions that result in damage awards or settlements.

Honest business decisions are rarely discrimination

02/12/2019
Terminating a service contract based on the contractor’s race may violate Section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act of 1866. However, that’s a tough case except in cases of blatant discrimination.

Track requests to show: It was his idea!

02/12/2019
When an employee asks for a transfer or some other change to his working conditions, be sure you track the request. That way, if he later alleges coercion, discrimination or retaliation, you can show it was all his idea in the first place.

Watch 180-day deadline for complaints under Texas Commission on Human Rights Act

02/12/2019
Employees alleging discrimination under the Texas Commission on Human Rights Act have 180 days from the date of the last discriminatory act to file complaints with either the Texas Commission on Human Rights or the EEOC.

Tell bosses: Stifle all age-related comments

02/12/2019
It’s your job to make sure no one in authority makes comments that can be perceived as ageist, sexist, racist or otherwise discriminatory. Ignoring comments won’t make them go away.

Failure to grant more leave costs Fresno company $1.75M

02/06/2019
Family HealthCare Network in Fresno will pay $1.75 million to settle charges that its inflexible leave policies discriminated against disabled and pregnant employees.

Sexual harassment doesn’t always have to focus on sexual activity

02/06/2019
An intense focus on sexual activity or sex characteristics isn’t always necessary to prove sexual harassment. As long as the victim can link the behavior she’s calling harassment to her sex in some way, she’s got a case.

Beverly Hills faces onslaught of lawsuits against top cop

02/06/2019
Almost 10% of the Beverly Hills Police Department’s officers have sued the chief of police, Sandra Spagnoli, alleging sexual misconduct and bigotry.

Job descriptions: Why you need ’em, how to write ’em

02/05/2019
Federal labor law requires HR professionals to do a lot of different things. Writing job descriptions is not one of them. Because this arduous task is optional, many organizations skip right over it. That’s not wise. There are many practical and legal reasons to draft (and up­­date) job descriptions.

Note all details that led up to discipline

02/01/2019
Having good documentation of your reasoning will often persuade a judge or jury that discrimination wasn’t the real reason for differing discipline, and that you legitimately used discretion to arrive at the appropriate punishment.