Discrimination / Harassment

Think twice before demanding proof an employee’s religion requires accommodation

10/16/2023

Thanks to a series of employee-friendly court decisions, workers now have a far easier time winning lawsuits alleging their employers failed to accommodate their religious beliefs and practices. Employers are greatly limited in how far they can go to require employees to prove their religious beliefs and practices require accommodations.

HR needs to know: New guidance explains how EEOC plans to enforce anti-harassment law

10/13/2023

The EEOC has released proposed guidance explaining how its investigators and lawyers should handle workplace harassment claims the commission receives. That means it’s critical for smart HR pros, employers and their attorneys to get familiar with it, too.

With war breaking out in the Middle East, beware harassment based on religion here in the U.S.

10/11/2023

The Oct. 7 attack by Hamas against Israel has raised the possibility that antisemitism and other forms of religious bias could break out here in the United States. As an employer, you have a responsibility to ensure your workplace remains free of hate speech and actions motivated by hate.

Male-dominated industry? Expect stepped-up EEOC enforcement

10/06/2023

Many women have begun seeking jobs in male-dominated industries because they tend to pay more and offer better benefits than jobs that traditionally attract women. However, an influx of female applicants has triggered backlash in some workplaces. The EEOC has taken notice.

EEOC litigation surged to 5-year high in FY 2023

10/06/2023

The fiscal year 2023 lawsuit filings—known as merit filings—included 25 systemic lawsuits, almost double the number filed in each of the previous three fiscal years and the largest number of systemic filings in the past five years.

Recalling staff after layoff? Ensure rehiring isn’t biased

09/27/2023

Before approving a rehire list, make sure you can explain any potentially discriminatory impact and the process you used to determine who would return to their jobs.

Ensure supervisors understand laws that prohibit pregnancy discrimination

09/20/2023

If recent EEOC actions are any indication, employers that don’t properly train supervisors and hiring managers about pregnancy discrimination will wind up defending themselves in court.

EEOC wins $36 million verdict in deaf-driver case

09/15/2023

A jury has sided with the EEOC and awarded a deaf truck driver more than $36 million in punitive damages after the company that trained the driver refused to hire him because of his hearing impairment.

CEOs distance themselves from DEI initiatives

09/13/2023

Mentions of corporate diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives fell by 54% during CEO earnings calls in the first quarter following the U.S. Supreme Court’s Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard decision, which outlawed race-based affirmative action in higher education.

NYC ban on height, weight bias may catch on

09/11/2023

The law goes into effect Nov. 22. It makes it illegal for New York City employers to discriminate based on an applicant’s or employee’s height or weight. Employers must also protect employees from height and weight harassment.