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Discrimination / Harassment

Jury awards fired drivers $243,000 for racial harassment

04/30/2013
A federal jury has awarded two former employees of Concord trucking firm A.C. Widenhouse more than $243,000 in compensatory and punitive damages. The EEOC had filed the suit on behalf of two black em­­ployees who complained of pervasive bigotry and harassment at work.

You don’t always have to be right–just honest

04/30/2013
Many HR professionals spend time agonizing over whether to fire someone they believe broke a rule warranting discharge. Could they have been wrong about the facts? Relax. There’s no need to second-guess yourself endlessly. Instead, conduct a prompt and thorough investigation and make a decision.

Emotional outburst? Respond with patience, calm

04/29/2013
Occasionally, we all have to deal with overly emotional ­employees. Handling them requires a mature and measured response, especially if it looks like you may have to discipline them.

From workers’ comp to part time: Can we reduce employee’s leave benefits?

04/25/2013
Q. We have an employee who was out on workers’ comp and has recently returned to work part time. (She is still collecting partial workers’ comp benefits.) Can we adjust her vacation and personal leave time to reflect the limited hours she’s working, or is she entitled to the full amount of days?

Courts lose patience with hypersensitive employees

04/25/2013
Courts are getting quicker with the gavel when it looks like a lawsuit might have been filed by an overly sensitive employee who perceives vague comments as harassment.

After employee files internal complaint, beware anything that might look like retaliation

04/25/2013
Here’s something to warn super­visors about after an employee has filed a discrimination or harassment complaint: Even if the initial complaint proves unfounded or too minor to be illegal, any punishment the complaining employee experiences later may amount to retaliation.

Hasty retirement benefits offer may show retaliation

04/23/2013
Before offering a retirement package that’s contingent on giving up the right to sue, make sure you comply with the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act (OWBPA) requirements. That includes giving the employee time to review the agreement and talk to a lawyer.

Serial complainer cries harassment? Investigate every allegation

04/23/2013
An employee can lose a sexual har­­assment lawsuit and still win on retaliation if she can show she was fired for complaining about harassment. Don’t let that happen to you.

Is 40 really too old to rock?

04/23/2013
A 40-year-old vocal teacher is suing the School of Rock chain of music schools, claiming she was harassed because of her age and wrongfully terminated in retaliation for engaging in protected activities.

‘Me-too’ evidence doesn’t prove specific bias

04/23/2013
Here’s some good news for em­­ployers: Employees can’t use “me-too” evidence pointing to widespread discrimination against many classes of employees if their initial claim only alleges discrimination against a specific subgroup.