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Discrimination / Harassment

Executive order takes aim at law firm, targets DEI activities in legal industry

03/17/2025
The order ostensibly targets the firm’s hiring and promotion policies, which it characterizes as “blatant race-based and sex-based discrimination.”

$1.4 million EEOC settlement over national origin

03/13/2025
Employers can’t discriminate against applicants based on their national origin—including Americans. That’s the reminder from an EEOC settlement.

Beware new class-action threat targeting smoker surcharges

03/10/2025
Employees claim Whole Foods’ benefits plan violates ERISA because plan administrators aren’t acting in the smoking employees’ best interests when they refuse to refund surcharges after employees quit using tobacco products.

Pay-equity audit? Be prepared to show your work

03/07/2025
To avoid litigation, many employers conduct internal audits to ensure pay equity when employees perform substantially identical work. If you decide to run a pay-equity audit, be prepared to show exactly how you conducted it.

Review development programs to ensure inclusion

03/07/2025
To protect against reverse-discrimination charges, thoroughly review all your training and development opportunities to ensure they don’t violate Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and other anti-discrimination laws. Here’s what to look for when you review your development programs.

Handling harassment amidst legal changes and uncertainty

03/05/2025
The legal and regulatory landscape surrounding workplace harassment is shifting rapidly, leaving many HR professionals wondering how to stay compliant while maintaining a fair and inclusive work environment.

As Ramadan approaches, consider religious accommodation obligations

02/26/2025
Two upcoming religious holidays make it an opportune time for employers to review the laws regarding religious accommodations.

EEOC seeks to drop 6 gender-identity lawsuits

02/24/2025
The EEOC has asked federal courts to drop lawsuits it previously filed alleging that employees experienced workplace discrimination and harassment because they are transgender.

Bias on basis of gender identity remains illegal despite EEOC promise to reverse course

02/18/2025
In a statement, acting EEOC Chair Andrea Lucas said the EEOC “is returning to its mission of protecting women from sexual harassment and sex-based discrimination in the workplace by rolling back the Biden administration’s gender identity agenda.” But issuing a press release does not change official policy.

Starbucks faces lawsuit claiming DEI is ‘pretext’ for discrimination

02/18/2025
The state of Missouri is suing Starbucks, alleging that the coffee chain’s diversity, equity and inclusion programs are a “mere pretext for its actual commitment to unlawful discrimination.”