• The HR Specialist - Print Newsletter
  • HR Specialist: Employment Law
  • The HR Weekly

Employment Law

EEOC says Cargill violated Muslim workers’ rights

09/26/2017
Minnetonka-based agribusiness giant Cargill has run afoul of the EEOC when it refused to allow Somali-American workers to pray during their breaks at one of their Colorado facilities. The EEOC says that violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.

When workers’ comp, illegal status collide

09/26/2017
Federal law requires employers to verify that employees are eligible to work in the United States. It’s unlawful to knowingly hire anyone without authorization. But what happens if an employee’s ineligibility is only discovered in the course of investigating a workers’ compensation claim?

Single ethnic slur constitutes misconduct

09/26/2017
Employees who are fired for misconduct can’t collect unemployment compensation. Generally, any action that violates a known company policy qualifies as misconduct.

8th Circuit backs NLRB: What happens on the picket line stays on the picket line

09/26/2017
Employers generally don’t have to tolerate racially hostile or otherwise offensive language at work. But under some circumstances, you may not be able to discipline a worker’s behavior if it occurred on a picket line.

‘Criminal’ doesn’t get Title VII protection

09/26/2017
For an applicant to sue under Title VII, she can’t merely allege that she suffered because of having a criminal record.

Don’t assume you know what women want

09/26/2017
Sometimes, managers make decisions based on outmoded notions of women, their role in society and their commitment to their families versus their work and employers. Make sure you warn supervisors to guard against such attitudes.

With Emanuel confirmed, NLRB now at full strength

09/26/2017
The Senate voted Sept. 25 to confirm the nomination of William Emanuel to fill the final seat on the National Labor Relations Board, giving Republicans a 3-2 majority that is likely to hold until at least 2020.

More reverse bias cases under Trump administration

09/21/2017
Only about 12% of all race discrimination complaints filed with the EEOC last year were by white employees who claim they were treated less favorably than minority co-workers. But the shifting political climate may lead to an increase in such “reverse discrimination” cases.

Document policy details, decisions based on them

09/21/2017
Be sure to document the reason why you treat some employees differently than others. For example, if employees can’t take leave until they have completed a probationary period, clearly explain that in your handbook.

Court: Nursing mom entitled to light duty

09/21/2017
In an important case that could carve out new rights for new mothers, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that employees returning to work after giving birth may be entitled to light-duty work to accommodate the need to express breast milk for their babies.