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Ohio

OK to fire worker who has taken FMLA leave–but you had better be prepared to explain why

06/30/2011
Courts are suspicious when em­ployees who have recently returned from FMLA leave are suddenly fired. Yet, chances are you will at some point have to terminate an employee following FMLA leave. Just make sure you can explain why, backed up by solid and contemporaneous documentation.

Ohio Supreme Court fills gap for those fired after injury, but before filing for workers’ comp

06/30/2011
The Supreme Court of Ohio has just created a new avenue for at-will employees who are discharged and want to claim their firing violates public policy. In the following case, the court ruled that employees who are fired after reporting an on-the-job injury but before they have a chance to file a workers’ compensation claim can sue for wrongful discharge in violation of public policy.

Worker pregnant? At least say, ‘Congratulations!’

06/30/2011

Here’s a tip that can save needless hassle: Tell managers and super­visors they should greet every pregnancy announcement with a big smile and a hearty “Congratulations!” That’s because at least one federal court in Ohio has used a supervisor’s silence as possible circumstantial evi­dence that the pregnant employee was discharged because she was expecting.

Hot streak over? EEOC loses bid to limit credit histories in hiring

06/08/2011
In a recent case, EEOC v. Kaplan Higher Education, employers scored a major victory. Now, perhaps, we can expect more courts to look skeptically on some of the EEOC’s tactics, giving employers more tools to build the workforces they need.

Aldi warehouse parent company will pay $60,000 for bias

06/07/2011
Eclipse Advantage, Inc.—a transportation, logistics and distribution management company—has agreed to pay $60,000 to settle an EEOC racial harassment and retaliation lawsuit.

Overexposed meat manager costs supermarket $300,000

06/07/2011
Dave’s Supermarket will shell out $300,000 to settle sexual harassment charges after it failed to act swiftly to address a misbehaving meat manager at its Lee-Harvard Shopping Center store on Cleveland’s east side.

Insubordination always a legitimate reason to fire

06/07/2011
Employers have the right to expect em­­ployees to listen to reasonable directions, accept criticism and otherwise behave in a civilized way. When an employee becomes insubordinate, the employer has the right to discipline her, including firing if necessary.

Check for job search if employee was ‘forced’ to quit

06/07/2011
Under limited circumstances, an em­­ployee can claim that harassment or discrimination at work made her life so miserable that she had no choice but to quit. She can then walk out and sue as if she had been fired. But what if it turns out that the employee found a job before quitting? That can sink her claim.

You can demand a mental exam if you’re sued for emotional damage

06/07/2011
Employees who claim they worked in an environment so sexually hostile that they suffered psychological damage may have to undergo a mental examination and intensive testing before the case goes to trial. It’s the only way an employer can determine whether the alleged damage was indeed related to the harassment, or perhaps came from another source.

Suspect medical excuse is bogus? Ask employee for a (real) doctor’s note

06/07/2011
Some people will do anything to get out of work early, including lying about their child’s health. One employer did the smart thing and demanded proof when it became suspicious.