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Employment Law

Seniority is a valid reason to retain one race over another

03/01/2007

When you need to downsize your organization, you may worry if a disproportionate number of the employees that are terminated are members of a protected class. But, as a new ruling shows, you can justify your decision by having clear documentation that shows you had a seniority rule in place and followed it …

Should you ask applicants about expunged criminal record?

03/01/2007

Pennsylvania employers can use information obtained as part of a criminal record check to deny a job if it shows that the applicant was convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor. But what if the applicant reveals that he or she has an expunged criminal record? …

Blocking employee’s exit could be false imprisonment

03/01/2007

Do the supervisors in your organization know how to handle potentially volatile employment discussions? If they don’t use kid gloves, they could be sued personally by employees for state torts such as false imprisonment and battery …


Employees’ ‘Injuries’ from Sexual Harassment May Make Them Eligible for Workers’ Comp Benefits

03/01/2007

Just when you thought you knew every reason to keep your workplace harassment-free, here’s yet another one: workers’ compensation …

Found liable for discrimination? You’ll owe back pay, even if fired worker starts a new business

03/01/2007

When employees lose their jobs because of alleged discrimination, the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) can award them lost wages based on the difference between their past earnings and what they currently make as self-employed individuals, …

Target learns cost of ignoring an abusive manager: $775,000

03/01/2007

Retail giant Target recently shelled out $775,000 to settle an EEOC lawsuit over the treatment of 13 black workers at its Springfield store …

KKK videos and swastikas cause AK Steel Corp. to lose bias suit

03/01/2007

AK Steel Corp. will pay $600,000 to seven black employees and an employee’s estate to settle a hostile environment case at its Butler facility …

Forcing retirement at age 65 lands AFCO in legal hot water

03/01/2007

Chambersburg-based Alex C. Fergusson Inc. (AFCO) must pay $50,000 to a salesman after forcing him into retirement at age 65 …

Rendell’s health care reform plan sparks tax risk

03/01/2007

Pennsylvanians are more likely than the average American to go to the emergency room for treatment, a problem targeted by Gov. Ed Rendell’s proposed “Prescription for Pennsylvania” reform plan …

TV station employee returns stolen documents … in shreds!

03/01/2007

You may remember reading about the Pittsburgh TV station employee who allegedly swiped e-mail and documents left on employees’ desks as evidence for a discrimination lawsuit …