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Discrimination / Harassment

Ensure training programs are equal opportunity

08/13/2017
Make training available to everyone who may benefit. Be sure there’s no hidden bias behind choosing who gets to take part. If members of a protected class routinely miss out, expect a lawsuit.

Court: State and federal law are not mutually exclusive

08/09/2017
The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals, which has jurisdiction over Minnesota employers, has revived a lawsuit against a union for allegedly violating a state disability discrimination law.

Religion accommodation not protected … yet

08/09/2017
In a case likely to be appealed, the EEOC has lost a bid to have federal courts within the 8th Circuit consider request for religious accommodation to be protected activity.

Include it in management training: You just can’t use racial slurs!

08/03/2017
Make sure every boss understands that they may never utter obviously racially offensive slurs at work. Even one instance can, under the wrong circumstances, trigger a lawsuit.

Staffing patterns don’t prove workplace bias

08/03/2017
Some employees think that if they point out racial homogeneity in a particular office or function, they will be able to persuade a court that they have been discriminated against—even if they have no proof that anything bad happened to them.

Doubt cast on spousal benefits for same-sex couples

08/03/2017
The Texas Supreme Court on June 30 threw out a lower court ruling that said spouses of gay and lesbian public employees are entitled to government-subsidized same-sex marriage benefits.

Mandatory training isn’t act of discrimination

08/03/2017
It’s unusual, but sometimes workers claim that being forced to attend a training session was discrimination.

Got a good reason for firing? Then stick with it–or risk a lawsuit

08/03/2017
Generally speaking, the law does not tolerate inconsistency very well. That’s one reason it’s so important to be careful about how you explain someone’s termination. If your story changes, don’t be surprised if it winds up being used against you.

Judges know it just like we do: Sometimes work is annoying!

08/03/2017
Courts seldom give much weight to complaints about general disrespect, micromanaging supervisors or impossible workloads unless it is quite clear that those conditions are meant to punish protected activity or are reserved for members of a protected class while others aren’t targeted.

Panda Express reverification practices don’t bear scrutiny

08/02/2017
Fast-Chinese chain Panda Express has agreed to settle charges it discriminated against non-U.S. citizens in its work reverification process.