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Discrimination / Harassment

Discrimination lawsuit defense: Show boss didn’t know of protected status

10/31/2018
One defense to discrimination claims is that the alleged discriminator didn’t know what protected class the employee hails from, and therefore couldn’t discriminate based on that characteristic.

DOJ says transgender bias is lawful

10/30/2018
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act does not protect transgender employees from discrimination, according to a friend-of-the-court brief filed by the U.S. Department of Justice in an upcoming U.S. Supreme Court case.

Cargill settles suit brought by Muslim meatpackers

10/29/2018
The EEOC and Cargill, the meatpacking giant headquartered in Minnetonka, Minnesota, have settled a long-running lawsuit over the company’s denial of prayer breaks for Muslim employees.

Treat persistent complainer just as you do others

10/29/2018
Don’t give special treatment to employees who have filed complaints. The rules everyone else must follow apply to them as well. They may complain more, but they won’t get far.

Business necessity can justify criminal ban

10/29/2018
A number of convict-rights advocacy organizations have sued, alleging that some employers aren’t doing enough to prevent inadvertent discrimination on the basis of criminal histories. Fortunately, employers have a defense against such lawsuits.

Stung once by EEOC? Don’t let guard down

10/25/2018
If the EEOC has accused your organization of some form of discrimination, don’t think you can just write a check and move on. Now is the time to take a cold, hard look at all your employment practices and policies.

Run audit to check Equal Pay Act compliance

10/18/2018
Answer these questions to see if your organization’s policies violate the EPA.

EEOC: On the Border chain crossed the harassment line

10/17/2018
The EEOC has filed suit against national Mexican restaurant chain On the Border, alleging management at its Holtsville, New York location failed to stop racial harassment directed at one of its chefs who is black.

Simple warning doesn’t constitute retaliation

10/17/2018
A mere warning that one is facing potential disciplinary action doesn’t amount to retaliation for filing a discrimination complaint.

Discrimination claims must be based on good faith

10/17/2018
Complaining about discrimination is considered protected activity. Punishing employees for com­plaining may be retaliation even if it turns out that the original claim was meritless. However, the original complaint must have been made in good faith.