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Employment Law

Vague disability isn’t an excuse for special treatment

07/01/2007

To make sure employees who really aren’t disabled don’t get special treatment, HR professionals need to understand what constitutes a disability and what’s just a minor ailment …

National security trumps national-Origin claims

07/01/2007

Even in a post-Sept. 11, 2001, environment, employers know they can’t use national origin or religion as an excuse to discharge or refuse to hire employees.

Accommodation doesn’t need to match employee’s request

07/01/2007

Title VII protects employees from discrimination based on their religion and requires employers to make reasonable accommodations for religious practices. But the requirement isn’t absolute …

State’s whistle-Blower retaliation law may reach NJ companies with foreign subsidiaries

07/01/2007

New Jersey companies with operations or facilities in foreign countries can find themselves being sued in-state, even if the alleged whistle-blowers work overseas …

Racial gangster jokes cost Perth Amboy police $1.9 million

07/01/2007

A Middlesex County jury awarded $1.9 million to Perth Amboy police officer Guadelupe Munoz for racial insults and jokes he suffered after becoming the department’s first Mexican-American officer in 2000 …

NJ Senate bill puts paid family leave on the horizon

07/01/2007

The Senate Budget Committee approved a bill May 24 that would grant paid family leave to the employees of most New Jersey businesses …

River Vale to pay $75,000 for mayor’s conduct

07/01/2007

The township of River Vale settled a lawsuit with Police Chief Aaron Back over harassment by former Mayor George Paschalis. Back testified that Paschalis repeatedly threatened to fire him …

NJLAD now prohibits gender-Identity and expression discrimination

07/01/2007

Last December, the New Jersey Legislature amended the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD) to protect people from adverse treatment due to “gender identity or expression” …

Vague claims of illness not enough to trigger liability

07/01/2007

Employees should notify their employers before taking FMLA leave—30 days ahead if possible. In cases of emergencies or sudden illnesses, employees must let their employers know as soon as is practical. But that doesn’t mean calling in sick or providing a vague doctor’s note is enough …

Mothers and other caregivers get EEOC protection

07/01/2007

The EEOC just issued guidelines stating that one’s status as a family member can’t be considered in employment decisions. The agency says the guidelines address “family-responsibility discrimination.” They draw on earlier theories about so-called “gender-plus” discrimination …