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Discrimination / Harassment

Beware giving contradictory reasons for a layoff

11/01/2006

When explaining to employees the reasons for a layoff, make sure you don’t contradict yourself. That’s especially true when the same manager gives an employee different reasons: A jury can take those contradictions and infer discrimination …

If Employees Sue, Double-Check Their Qualifications

11/01/2006

When employees sue you for discrimination, be sure to pull out their job applications and résumé for a second look. You may discover that they misrepresented their education or job history, which could sink their case …

Halting manager’s duties during probe isn’t punishment

11/01/2006

When an employee complains about race discrimination, you know to immediately investigate. But what if a manager complains about her subordinate’s racial comments? Can the company tell the manager to hold off disciplining the employee until it’s had a chance to investigate the discrimination claim? Yes, as a new ruling shows …

White Employee Can Sue for Anti-Black Bias

11/01/2006

Don’t assume that only minorities have a right to sue you for workplace race discrimination. White employees also are entitled to work in an environment free of racial bias, and they can challenge hiring practices that interfere with that right …

Georgia Not Likely to Ban Sexual-Orientation Discrimination

11/01/2006

It seems safe to conclude that Georgia employers won’t have to worry anytime soon about a state ban on sexual-orientation discrimination in the workplace …

Workers must suffer ‘Adverse action’ to win bias case

11/01/2006

Federal law says you must grant employees "reasonable accommodations" for their religious beliefs and practices. But that doesn’t mean that any employees who are told they must work on their Sabbath have an automatic lawsuit …

Isolated comments on accent not enough to prove bias

11/01/2006

No doubt, your managers and supervisors know not to ridicule someone’s accent or way of speaking. But what if an employee’s communication skills suffer on account of his other accent? Are you prohibited from mentioning that accent and recommending remedial help to better communications?

Study: Good-Looking people suffer a ‘Beauty penalty’ at work

11/01/2006

Studies in the past have shown that attractive people generally earn a "beauty premium." That is, they earn more money, enjoy better performance reviews and people view them as being more intelligent and trustworthy. But according to a recent study published by Rice University, those studies may have it wrong …

Discrimination lawsuit by lesbian nurse fails in court

11/01/2006

A federal judge in the Northern District of Texas recently dismissed a Title VII discrimination lawsuit brought by a lesbian nurse who claimed that she was fired because of her sexuality and appearance …

Layoff choices: Focus on performance, not just salary level

11/01/2006

Nothing triggers age discrimination lawsuits like a layoff. After all, saving money is a primary consideration in most decisions to downsize. And because long-term employees are often paid more than newer employees, organizations that focus on money often end up with layoff lists heavy with post-40-year-olds. That’s a recipe for an Age Discrimination in Employment Act lawsuit …