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Discrimination / Harassment

Doing nothing after complaint leads to nothing but liability

07/01/2007

The most direct route to a hostile-work-environment lawsuit is to ignore complaints. Do nothing and your liability builds with each new complaint …  

Track discipline companywide to show no double standard

07/01/2007

One of the most common employment law claims is the uneven enforcement of workplace rules. The only foolproof way to counter such lawsuits …

Glowing evaluation doesn’t trump insubordination

07/01/2007

Have you worried about discharging an employee who just got an outstanding evaluation? It’s a legitimate concern, but don’t let it paralyze you …

Think worker is lying about health? Ask before disciplining

07/01/2007

Employees say the darndest things. Take, for example, those who call in sick or are out on disability for conditions you strongly suspect are not quite as serious as they say …

Running background checks? Use conviction, not arrest, to exclude applicant

07/01/2007

The Illinois Human Rights Act makes it illegal to discriminate on the basis of a previous arrest record or criminal history that has been expunged, sealed or impounded. However …

Call someone ‘sweetheart,’ she might call for a retaliation suit

07/01/2007

Calling a female employee “honey” might not constitute sexual harassment, according to a recent federal ruling on a sexual-harassment case, but retaliating when someone complains about it will win you a ticket to court anyway …

Understanding religious accommodation in Illinois workplaces

07/01/2007

Illinois mirrors America’s growing diversity in many ways. Today, mosques occupy old churches; co-workers wear burqas and yarmulkes; and some employees request “prayer breaks”  …

Prevent hostile-environment lawsuits: No teasing allowed

07/01/2007

Many employees today are sensitive about their ethnic backgrounds, but may hesitate to report teasing or name-calling for fear of being seen as troublemakers. That means a lawsuit could be brewing …

Uniformity key to investigations that stand up in court

07/01/2007

When it comes to employee complaints and how your organization responds to them, uniformity is the most important factor …

Preference for religion may be illegal discrimination, too

07/01/2007

Religious discrimination need not be based on bias against an employee’s religion. The reverse is also possible …