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Discrimination / Harassment

Beaumont P.D. to pay $150,000 for sex discrimination

12/04/2008

A federal jury recently found that the Beaumont Police Department discriminated against a police officer because of her gender. The jury awarded $150,000 to Officer Tina Lewallen, who sued the department for gender discrimination in 2005 …

UT-Austin study reveals academic gender gap in pay, promotions

12/04/2008

The University of Texas at Austin has released a study showing large gaps in pay, promotions and representation between male and female professors in the university’s academic departments.

What testing can we do if we suspect employee drug abuse?

12/04/2008

Q. Our company has random drug testing. Can we send an employee to be tested for suspicion of drug use?

Investigate thoroughly before settling bias suit

12/04/2008

Settling with an employee who has filed a discrimination lawsuit? If the EEOC gets involved, it can continue the case on its own—and may be able to get a court to order you to take corrective measures that go far beyond your settlement terms. That’s one good reason to conduct your own thorough investigation before you settle with the employee.

UPS driver sues over dreads

12/04/2008

Nieland Bynoe was hired as a driver for UPS Freight in 2007. He hadn’t even made it through orientation, however, before he was fired for refusing to shave his beard and cut off his dreadlocks … The EEOC has sued on his behalf.

CAIR reports increase in religious discrimination complaints

12/04/2008

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) reports that bias complaints by Muslim workers increased by 18% in 2007, reaching a record 452 cases.

Could we get in trouble? Brief posting led to job for applicant with inside info

12/04/2008

Q. My company posted an internal job position for 24 hours and only one person applied. She got the job. This person knew about the position and the posting because she works in HR. Is this legal to do in the state of Texas?

Should you make copies of employees’ I-9 documentation?

12/01/2008

Federal law says employers are allowed, but not required, to make copies of the drivers’ licenses and other documents that their employees show for I-9 purposes. But is it legally wise to make those copies? Attorneys are split on the issue. Here’s our analysis, plus answers to six common I-9 questions …

‘Big Five’ talent agency settles age-bias suit for $4.5 million

11/25/2008

A class of television writers reached a $4.5 million settlement in an age discrimination lawsuit it brought against International Creative Management (ICM), one of Hollywood’s “Big Five” talent agencies.

Clarify contract status by separating arbitration clause from job application

11/25/2008

If, like many employers, you include an arbitration clause in your employment applications, take note of a recent California Court of Appeal case.