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New York

Public employee free speech rights don’t extend outside work

10/08/2015
Government employees have limited First Amendment rights at work to voice concerns of “public importance.” But the right doesn’t extend to causing confrontations outside of work when the speech has nothing to do with public issues.

Former employee reapplies? Beware retaliation lawsuit

10/08/2015
Consider this before dismissing a request for reinstatement or new job application from a former employee: She may be trying to set up a lawsuit alleging that turning her down amounted to retaliation. Don’t fall into that trap.

One stupid comment from boss doesn’t automatically create sex bias liability

10/08/2015

Of course, supervisors should never say anything off-color, insensitive or downright stupid. Unfortunately, it happens. However, it takes more than one dumb outburst to support a discrimination claim unless the comment is obviously highly offensive. Less than that, and an employee’s lawsuit is likely to be tossed out.

Substandard work before FMLA leave? Beware retaliation suit for later poor reviews

10/08/2015

Don’t think that just because an employee was a poor performer before she requested FMLA leave, a poor review after the request can’t be retaliation. If there is other evidence of retaliation (like a direct statement that FMLA leave was a factor), then the previous poor performance won’t be much of a defense.

Discrimination: When supervisors share duties, pay attention to how tasks are distributed

10/08/2015

Courts don’t want to micromanage businesses; they are happy to leave specific task assignments to the employer’s discretion. Just be sure to give each employee enough high-level responsibilities so that there isn’t an appearance that a supervisor is a supervisor in name only.

What to do when return-to-work is uncertain

10/08/2015
Employers can require a fitness-to-return-to-work exam when employees have been out on FMLA leave for their own serious health condition. If the worker’s doctor clears the employee—even with minor restrictions—you should allow him to return while you get necessary medical clarification.

Nip harassment suits in the bud: Establish clear system for lodging complaints

10/07/2015

Employers that create and implement clear, well-publicized policies for reporting sexual and other forms of harassment can defeat many co-worker harassment claims. The key is to come up with a specific process featuring more than one avenue through which employees can complain. Then let employees know it’s there for their use.

Employers must notify employees of their FMLA rights

09/28/2015
HR professionals consistently rate FMLA administration as one of their most difficult tasks. New court decisions constantly affect the FMLA landscape.

What employment law cases will the Supreme Court hear next?

09/20/2015
The High Court has agreed to hear several cases during its 2015-2016 term that will have significant ramifications for employers.

EEOC says Title VII prohibits sexual orientation discrimination

09/10/2015
The EEOC has come out with a declaration that federal legislation explicitly prohibiting employment discrimination based on sexual orientation is unnecessary because it is already prohibited under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. This is a new and important development in the ongoing efforts of activists to get discrimination protection for all workers, regardless of sexual orientation, preference or other characteristics based on sexuality.