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Employment Law

Graphic designer alleges sexual orientation bias

09/17/2012
A former graphic designer for Corporate Graphics Commercial is suing the Mankato company, claiming he was fired for reporting anti-gay harassment by co-workers.

Shooting range fined for child labor violations

09/17/2012
The Alexandria Shooting Park in Alexandria recently found out that having a parent’s permission isn’t enough to make it legal to hire an underage worker—or to shield an em­­ployer from child labor law violations.

Disabled vet sues Rochester for cops’ refusal to rehire him

09/17/2012
A former Rochester Police Depart­­ment officer and Army veteran is suing the city, alleging it broke the law when it refused to rehire him after he finished two tours of combat duty in Iraq.

Always check supervisor’s firing recommendation

09/17/2012
The FMLA allows double damages for willful violations. Recently, the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the extra damages can be levied against an employer that essentially rubber-stamps a supervisor’s wrongful termination decision.

Bosses may be personally liable for harassment

09/17/2012
If you are a public employer committed to discouraging sexual har­­assment, make sure your supervisory training covers the topic. In particular, ensure that supervisors know they aren’t immune from liability if they harass a subordinate.

Client gaffe doesn’t create employer liability

09/17/2012

Sometimes, customers or clients make inappropriate remarks. How managers respond to those comments is important. Put on the spot, they may be at a loss for words. That may not be ideal, but it isn’t enough to create liability for the employer.

Even if you’re wrong, you can fire employee who’s on FMLA

09/17/2012
Surprise! If you reasonably believe an employee who’s out on FMLA leave broke a workplace rule, you can fire him—even if it turns out you were wrong.

6th Circuit weighs in: What makes a bias complaint protected?

09/13/2012
Employees who complain about alleged discrimination are protected from punishment under the so-called opposition clause of Title VII. Not every vague allegation, however, amounts to opposition.

Horseshoe Casino Cleveland employees vote to unionize

09/13/2012
On Aug. 16, an arbiter certified election results allowing employees at the Horseshoe Casino Cleveland to collectively bargain under the banner of the Cleveland Casino Workers Council.

Harassment investigation costs Butler County $45K

09/13/2012
Butler County taxpayers now know that hell hath no fury like a court reporter scorned. When a nine-year affair between Judge Michael Sage and court reporter Jennifer Olivier ended, the strain was felt throughout the courthouse.