• The HR Specialist - Print Newsletter
  • HR Specialist: Employment Law
  • The HR Weekly
Connection failed: SQLSTATE[HY000] [2002] No such file or directory

New York

When bosses hook up with subordinates, sparks may fly … in court

02/01/2010

Romantic affairs at work are generally a bad idea, especially if they involve a supervisor and a subordinate. But here’s one worry you can lay to rest: Employees who aren’t involved in an affair with the boss won’t necessarily win a sex discrimination lawsuit if they don’t get the promotions or favors their co-worker got.

Sued? Consider impact of treating co-workers poorly

02/01/2010

One unhappy employee may not have much of an effect on your organization, even if she sues. But watch out! Handle the lawsuit poorly and you could see litigation grow as co-workers join in.

EEOC: Bakery boss handled more than one kind of bun

02/01/2010

The EEOC has filed sexual harassment charges against Dunkin’ Donuts for its alleged failure to stop a manager from harassing young women who worked at its Wynantskill store. Many of the employees he allegedly harassed were teenagers.

Brooklyn fish plant on the hook for race, sexual harassment

02/01/2010

Black workers at M. Slavin & Sons Fish processing plant in Brooklyn allege bosses there continually sexually harass black workers by grabbing their buttocks, pressing against them and occasionally jabbing their backsides with fishhooks. The workers have filed a complaint with the EEOC.

Paterson extends protections to transgender workers

02/01/2010

Gov. David Paterson has issued an executive order providing state employees with protection from discrimination because of their transgender status. The move is one step ahead of the state Legislature. Bills currently circulating in Albany would cover both public and private employers.

Momentive restores some pay, but NLRB seeks more

02/01/2010

Colonie-based Momentive Performance Materials has rescinded temporary pay cuts it instituted last spring, restoring salaries for all exempt employees other than senior managers. Meanwhile, hourly employees recently got encouraging news from the National Labor Relations Board …

Retaliation nation: Manage adverse actions to lessen retaliation

02/01/2010

Virtually every federal employment law has an anti-retaliation provision—they would be toothless tigers without them. Employees who can’t prove outright discrimination often try the retaliation route. The EEOC handled a record-high 33,613 retaliation complaints in 2009. As a result, employers must tread carefully when dealing with an employee who has exercised his or her rights under any federal law.

Tamp down lawsuits with good promotion records

01/12/2010

In today’s tough economic climate, more and more employees are willing to stay put, applying for promotions instead of looking for jobs in other organizations. That means more competition for promotions—and more opportunities for disgruntled employee to sue when they’re passed over.

What’s retaliation? Depends on the employee

01/12/2010

No doubt you have heard many times that retaliation is anything that would dissuade a reasonable employee from complaining about something in the first place. But minor actions usually don’t add up to retaliation. Unfortunately, the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals, which has jurisdiction over New York employers, has now muddied the retaliation waters.

New York revives ‘early-outs’ for state employees

01/12/2010

In an attempt to close a gaping state deficit, New York Budget Director Robert Megna has told government agencies to offer early-retirement packages to state employees. The state made a similar offer earlier in 2009, and 1,100 workers took that option before it expired in early November.