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Retaliation

Supreme Court 2017–18: Employment law cases on the docket

11/15/2017

This year’s Supreme Court docket covers several timely employment law issues. As the last word on important legal issues, Supreme Court decisions usually offer important compliance lessons.

Locked out of the office: Is that retaliation—or should she have knocked on the door?

11/15/2017

An employee’s mere suspicion about possible reprisal, based on seemingly minor supervisory actions, won’t persuade a court that retaliation occurred. Instead, workers are expected to take a bit of initiative.

Document business reasons for staffing moves

11/15/2017

Document the timing and explanation for all employment actions. It’s hard for employees to win lawsuits over transfers, demotions or discharges when the employer has records showing objective business reasons for the move.

Disciplining whistleblower? Beware retaliation charge

11/15/2017

If a supervisor receives a whistleblower complaint from a subordinate, make sure he or she has no decision-making role in any subsequent discipline against the whistleblower.

Beware Texas Occupations Code retaliation

11/15/2017

A nurse who makes a report under the Texas Occupations Code is protected from discipline because of that report. Discipline within 60 days is presumed to be retaliation. However, employers can rebut this presumption by showing the discipline was not related to the report.

Be ready to explain lower pay after complaint

11/15/2017

When employees complain about discrimination or some other employment law violation, that’s generally considered protected activity. Punishing them in a way that affects pay may be unlawful retaliation.

8th Circuit rules on preemption

11/14/2017
The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that a state’s employment laws barring discharge for whistleblowing isn’t preempted by the Airline Deregulation Act.

Snapshot: Retaliation claims have skyrocketed

11/14/2017

The number of retaliation complaints the EEOC receives each year has increased 86% since 2006.

Supreme Court passes on FMLA retaliation

11/09/2017

Where an employer is located makes a difference when it comes to defeating an employee’s FMLA retaliation lawsuit. That’s because different federal courts use different standards for what an employee needs to prove to win a retaliation case under the FMLA.

Male government biologist files gender bias complaint

11/08/2017

A U.S. Forest Service biologist working in Pennsylvania claims he is being discriminated against because of his sex.