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Employment Law

Beware too much emphasis on candidate’s demeanor

08/01/2008
The more subjective factors you use to set one applicant apart from another, the more likely a court will challenge your decision-making. That’s because some judges and juries may see subjective judgments such as “aggressive” or “confrontational” as code for some form of discrimination …

Your attorney’s expertise is key to crafting severance agreements that stick

08/01/2008
Are you going to discharge an employee you suspect may sue for retaliation or discrimination? Then you probably have already considered softening the blow with a severance agreement. Sometimes money has a way of preventing expensive and time-consuming lawsuits …

Government employees can sue without first filing administrative complaints

08/01/2008
The Supreme Court of Ohio just made it easier for public employees to sue their employers. It ruled employees could go directly to court instead of pursuing administrative remedies first. That means less time and fewer opportunities for employers to resolve any discrimination complaints before they go to court …

You have to work hard to get this much bad press

08/01/2008
The Ohio Civil Rights Commission is investigating a possible abusive environment at Chrysler’s Toledo North Assembly Plant in light of 45 civil rights complaints made by workers there in just 18 months …

$46.7 million for manager who blew whistle on age discrimination

08/01/2008
Ronald Luri, former general manager for the Cleveland division of a nationwide waste collection company, will receive $46.7 million after a Cuyahoga County jury found the company “tried to ruin his career.”

Merrill Lynch hit with age discrimination lawsuit

08/01/2008
Lou Telerico, a former stockbroker for Merrill Lynch & Co. in Cleveland, has filed a lawsuit claiming the company forced him out after 30 years of service because of his age …

Whistle-Blower suit against Duke Energy heads to trial

08/01/2008
John Deeds, former director of regulatory initiatives for Duke Energy, won Round 1 of his whistle-blower lawsuit against the utility. Deeds claims he was fired in April 2006 after questioning whether payments Duke Energy made to certain large customers were “sham transactions” intended to buy support for rate increases …

Dancer says he was frozen out after asking how to turn down sex

08/01/2008
David Mann, a 54-year-old dancer for Naughty Bodies in Batavia, is suing the company, claiming it stopped giving him work after he complained that customers were sexually harassing him …

The Healthy Families Act: What it will mean for Ohio employers

08/01/2008
As many of our readers are aware, November’s ballot will probably contain a referendum asking Ohio voters to approve the Ohio Healthy Families Act. The proposed legislation would require Ohio employers to provide seven days of paid sick leave annually for most employees. Employers had better be forewarned and forearmed in the event the proposal becomes law …

Attendance policies: Control absenteeism without breaking the law

08/01/2008

For most employees, regular attendance is a key job function. But while you are free to set and enforce attendance rules, you must also comply with key federal laws, including the FMLA and the ADA.