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Kansas

Beware liability if no-hire decision was based on politics

01/12/2012
Here’s a reminder for government hiring managers: While ordinarily, such supervisors have qualified immunity, that’s not the case if the decision not to hire is based on an applicant’s political beliefs.

Before firing, offer second chance to improve

01/12/2012

Some employees facing criticism will own up to the problem and work to improve. Others simply refuse to recognize that their per­­formance is subpar or contributing to discord in the workplace. Either way, it’s worth at least ex­­tend­­ing to the employee a chance to improve and keep his job—after you have docu­mented the nature of the problem.

Different pay for men and women? Prepare to explain ‘other than sex’ factors

01/02/2012
The federal Equal Pay Act (EPA) is supposed to ensure that men and women doing the same job aren’t paid differently based on their sex. But employees can’t win EPA lawsuits simply by comparing their rates of pay and job titles. Lots of factors unrelated to gender may in­­fluence pay.

Vague report of name-calling doesn’t make you liable

12/14/2011

Employers must respond promptly to allegations that employee misbehavior is creating a racially, sexually or otherwise hostile work environment. But what if all an employee only complains about is unspecified name calling?

Prepare to go to trial even if employee represents herself

11/09/2011

Courts often have little patience for disorganized, incomprehensible lawsuits. Those cases are often filed by pro se litigants, who act as their own lawyers in court. Their rambling legal documents often make for difficult trials, so judges have frequently decided to toss them out. But now the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals has told lower courts to rethink that approach.

ADA claim during bankruptcy must be honored

11/09/2011

When an employee files for bank­­ruptcy, he’s supposed to list any claim he has against an employer as an asset—for example, a lawsuit that requests monetary damages. But what happens if the employer files for bankruptcy? Does the em­­ployer have to list any claim against it as a liability?

Employee gets second chance to prove EEOC complaint

10/12/2011
Didn’t receive a copy of an EEOC complaint within 300 days of when you discharged an employee? Ordi­­narily, that would mean you could rest easy, knowing that no lawsuit could arise. But that’s not always the case.

Saving grace: Hostile environment in one area can’t prove discrimination companywide

10/12/2011
Here’s a small measure of comfort if your company is caught in a hostile environment scandal involving a single division or facility: Employees who sue for discrimination in other departments, divisions or locations can’t use those cases against you in court unless they were directly affected by that particular hostile environment.

Be patient and scrupulously fair when dealing with litigious employee who has complained

10/12/2011

Employers will win in the long run if they exercise restraint and use patience when dealing with an employee who clearly is looking for a lawsuit. It will take work.

Document efforts to ease return from FMLA

10/12/2011
When employers get sloppy and don’t document their decision-making proc­­esses, things can get dicey. Consider what happens when an employee experiences work stress and starts taking FMLA and other leave. In one recent case, the employer was smart enough to carefully track its efforts to both accommodate an employee and get her back to work.