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North Carolina

Don’t stop at religious accommodation; end harassment, too

04/23/2008
Many organizations pride themselves on offering religious accommodations. But some may be a little too quick to pat themselves on the back. It’s not enough to simply offer religious accommodations such as flexible schedules or shift swapping to allow worship or even prayer breaks …

For some employees, banking law trumps state protections

04/23/2008
Banks chartered under the National Bank Act (NBA) don’t have to worry that some of their employment decisions will violate state wrongful-discharge laws. That’s because the NBA says all bank officers serve at the pleasure of a bank board of directors, which can terminate officers as they see fit …

Make sure job descriptions, handbook include reasonable work expectations

04/23/2008
To win a discrimination lawsuit, employees must be able to show they met their employers’ reasonable expectations. If they weren’t doing their jobs, then it’s difficult to blame any adverse employment action on discrimination. That’s one reason job descriptions and employee handbooks should include examples of reasonable expectations …

Employee who’s suing files for bankruptcy? It just got easier to settle your case

04/23/2008
Employees who sue their employers for discrimination often find themselves in dire financial straits. Many file for bankruptcy in an effort to stop bill collections, repossessions and foreclosures. When they do, there’s a bonus for employers that want to settle the lawsuit and move on …

Appeals court dumps whistle-Blower’s claim

04/23/2008
A three-judge panel of the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected a whistle-blower claim by Mark Livingston, former training director at the Sanford vaccine plant of pharmaceuticals giant Wyeth Inc. The company fired Livingston in December 2002 …

Justice Department settles harassment suit with N.C. A&T

04/23/2008
The U.S. Department of Justice has settled a sexual harassment lawsuit with North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University for $57,000. The university will pay $29,000 to Tasha Murray and $26,000 to Mattie Smith for sexual harassment they endured while working in the university’s Department of Police and Public Safety …

Wachovia sued for back wages

04/23/2008
Carrie Williams, an employee at a Wachovia call center in Alabama, has filed a lawsuit alleging the company failed to pay employees for time spent logging onto computers before taking calls …

As economic clouds darken, N.C. employers glimpse silver lining

04/23/2008
Despite a worsening economy that could still harm North Carolina employers, there’s some good news for the state amid recent reports on the downturn …

Legislators debate paid family leave bills

04/23/2008
New Jersey has become the third state, following California and Washington, to grant mandatory paid family leave to employees. And it looks like the idea is gaining momentum: 14 states, including North Carolina, will consider mandatory paid family leave in this year’s legislative sessions …

Wal-Mart touts savings from generic drug program

04/23/2008
Arkansas-based Wal-Mart says its $4 generic prescription drug program has saved consumers $1 billion as of March. The company reports that the $4 prescriptions now account for 40% of all prescriptions it fills. North Carolina consumers benefited from the third-highest savings nationwide: $48,241,530 …