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

Discrimination / Harassment

Charlotte firm settles bias case filed by Muslim employee

12/24/2009

Charlotte-based Sunbelt Rentals has agreed to settle charges it discriminated against a Muslim worker at a store in Maryland. According to the complaint, Clinton Ingram endured ridicule, allegations he was a terrorist and harassment that included an anti-Islamic cartoon posted in the workplace.

Pregnancy Discrimination Act doesn’t cover child care woes

12/23/2009

The Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) protects employees from discrimination based on pregnancy and related medical conditions. It doesn’t, however, let new mothers take off work when child care arrangements fall through, as the following case shows.

EEOC targets teen harassment; Ruby Tuesday pays $255,000

12/23/2009

The Ruby Tuesday casual dining chain has agreed to pay $255,000 to a group of teenage girls who worked at its East Stroudsburg restaurant after the EEOC filed a lawsuit accusing a manager there of sexual harassment.

Settlement ends bias suit against Wyomissing company

12/23/2009

Wyomissing-based industrial fastener and tool maker SFS Intec has agreed to settle an EEOC discrimination lawsuit arising at a plant in Ohio. Two Hispanic employees complained of being denied training opportunities that were open to non-Hispanics.

How can we find out whether employees are poaching health coverage for partners?

12/23/2009

Q. A few of our employees have added their spouses to our health benefits plan. We’ve heard through the grapevine that some of these couples aren’t actually married. Can we check on this without being discriminatory?

Firing due to ‘romantic tension’: Is it sex bias?

12/22/2009

When co-worker relationships break up, tensions can boil over in the workplace. Back-stabbing and name-calling may play out in the office—and that may require discipline. When that happens, investigate thoroughly. But watch out for discipline that looks suspiciously like discrimination against just one of the former lovebirds.

Call lawyer about new accommodation class

12/22/2009

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, with jurisdiction over California employers, has ruled that the federal Rehabilitation Act covers discrimination claims brought by an independent contractor. The Rehabilitation Act applies to federal agencies, government contractors and organizations that receive federal funding.

Beware ‘injury discrimination’ suits for failing to treat injured workers like other employees

12/22/2009

California law makes it illegal for employers to discriminate against employees who are hurt at work. For example, if an employer requires those hurt at work to use vacation time for medical appointments while other employees can take sick leave, that would be illegal discrimination.

Settlement offer can’t be used against you later

12/22/2009

Offering an employee a severance payment in exchange for releasing any legal claims won’t be used against you. Courts want to encourage dispute settlement—and if severance offers could be used against employers later in court, cases would rarely be settled.

Use statistics early to blow shaky lawsuits out of water

12/22/2009

Employees who sue for discrimination have to come up with some evidence before the case can advance beyond the initial stages—and before it gets progressively more expensive for employers paying the legal bill. Employers that fight back right away with statistics showing there was no discrimination can save big bucks in the long run.