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Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees in Kansas no longer have protection from discrimination under Kansas state law. Kansas Gov. Brownback signed an executive order rescinding this protection. Brownback stated the order showed commitment to hiring veterans and individuals with disabilities. In 2007, then-Gov. Sebelius created a protection from discrimination for state workers by issuing … Read More →

Sexual harassment in the workplace continues to be a problem for female and male employees in many countries. Sexual harassment occurs when an employee, or employees, make unwelcome verbal or physical advances towards another employee. The United Nations Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women explains that sexual harassment can cause … Read More →

According to this article the Supreme Court indicated that it will side with a Muslim woman, Samantha Elauf, who was denied a job at Abercrombie and Fitch because she wore a black headscarf, or hijab. At the time, this violated the company’s dress code and the company’s lawyer has defended their decision, since Ms. Elauf … Read More →

To an employer, what sex discrimination is may not always be as clear as what sexual harassment is. Some employers view pregnant employees as a burden on the company, needing time off for appointments that keep they away from their jobs and putting family before the needs of the company. Small employers have fewer people … Read More →

Age-related complaints filed with the federal government have continued to fall in recent years, but that doesn’t mean age discrimination in the workplace has stopped. One explanation for fewer age discrimination complaints in 2014 may be due to the government shutdown, but the charges filed under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act are still higher … Read More →

Ruby Tuesday, a restaurant chain, is facing an employment discrimination lawsuit. Ruby Tuesday’s chain was seeking to fill bartender and server positions at a resort, with a preference for female applicants. No men were hired for these summer jobs. It is alleged that male employees were discriminated against and excluded from this advertised work assignment … Read More →

After a news station exposed her sexual harassment claims, a female firefighter’s accusations are being investigated by the Albuquerque Fire Department. Allegedly, the sexual harassment included but was not limited to male firefighters watching pornography, attaching it to her locker, groping her, and watching her while she was in the women’s locker room. Her lawsuit … Read More →

Federal contractors’ requirements to prohibit sex discrimination may be seeing an update soon. The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Program’s guidelines are the same as they were in 1970; the U.S. Department of Labor’s proposal for clarification seeks to protect working women from sex discrimination. Current guidelines do prohibit companies with federal contracts from sex … Read More →

A nurse, Rachael Hogan, working at the Syracuse, New York Veterans Affairs Medical Center allegedly faced retaliation after reporting a rape accusation made by a patient to a superior, sexual harassment, and negligent work behavior. The allegations stated that superiors told Hogan that action would be taken to see her terminated; after this, Hogan disclosed … Read More →

A group of 10 former McDonald’s employees are suing their stores in Virginia for racial discrimination and harassment. Nine of the 10 former workers are African American and one is Hispanic. Typically, just the McDonald’s franchise is sued; in this lawsuit, it is argued that the McDonald’s corporation, not just the franchise, should be held … Read More →

While the nation observed Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday this past weekend, the economic disparities that Dr. King called attention to still exist and are highlighted by employment statistics in California. In addition to various factors affecting the growing income gap between white and black families, some attribute it to prolonged racial discrimination. Blacks are … Read More →

A North Carolina nursing assistant, Jamie Cole, faced alleged pregnancy discrimination upon requesting light duty at her nursing home job while in her third trimester of a high-risk pregnancy. The Pregnancy Discrimination Act is a federal law that provides pregnant employees the same rights and protections as other employees with short-term disabilities. Those protections include … Read More →

The United States Supreme Court is hearing arguments that could slow down the Obama administration’s prosecution of workers’ discrimination complaints against employers. This case questions whether government lawyers are trying hard enough to negotiate and settle claims prior to starting a lawsuit. If government lawyers are not trying hard enough, can employers use this as … Read More →

Racial discrimination and harassment of an African-American employee, Elijah Turley, that allegedly lasted for years at a Lackawanna steel plant in New York has resulted in $3.9 million in damages awarded by a federal appeals court. The alleged intimidation and harassment of Turley extended beyond his person and into his workstation and vehicle. The pattern … Read More →

Employees have the right to a safe work environment, free of harassment, discrimination, and retaliation. The article below details the alleged retaliation and discrimination a Metro-North Railroad employee was subjected to after reporting his injury on the job. Following a federal investigation, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) ordered Metro-North … Read More →

In the United States, the debate about how much religious freedom employees have in the workplace is ongoing. The article below details European cases of religious beliefs and how attire conflicts with job duties. The European Court of Human Rights is preparing to make a decision that will affect the employment rights of Christians. The … Read More →

Religious discrimination in the workplace is a complex issue. Claims of religious discrimination filed by employees with the EEOC vary and may involve conflicts with workdays scheduled and days of religious observance, such as the Sabbath, as well as differences between religious attire and dress codes. Companies of all sizes must figure out how to … Read More →

A California discrimination lawsuit filed by the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) against three seed and fertilizer providers settled. The companies allegedly required applicants to answer health questionnaires and receive a physical examination to be considered for hire. Applicants were allegedly required to provide private information about the individual’s health and family medical … Read More →

Young vs. UPS is a pregnancy discrimination case being reviewed by the U.S. Supreme Court. In 2006, Peggy Young, a former UPS driver, requested light duty at UPS due to limitations on the amount of weight she could lift while pregnant. UPS makes such accommodations as this for workers who are injured on the job … Read More →

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) seeks to protect workers from employment discrimination based on protected classes such as race and national origin. Three oil field service companies operating in Edgerton, Wyoming were sued by the EEOC on behalf of employees who were allegedly discriminated against based on their race and national origin. Recently, … Read More →

A pregnancy discrimination lawsuit involving a former UPS employee and her request for light job duties during her pregnancy brings into question how and whether employers are abiding by the Pregnancy Discrimination Act. This federal law is in place to protect employees from sex discrimination based on pregnancy and conditions related to it. While employers … Read More →

A North Carolina hospital, Angel Medical Center, recently settled a disability discrimination lawsuit. The lawsuit filed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) alleges that the hospital failed to accommodate a nurse undergoing chemotherapy treatments. According to the allegations, the nurse took time off work for her disability and upon trying to return to work, … Read More →

Workers have protection against discrimination based on protected classes under federal and state laws. Discrimination may involve discriminatory hiring practices, wrongful terminations, or demotions. The article below provides an example of alleged pregnancy discrimination against a former AutoZone employee. Shortly after informing a district manager of her pregnancy, the employee was demoted from her management … Read More →

Temporary work makes up a small but significant portion of jobs across the country. Unfortunately, those that seek work through temp agencies often do not get the employment they really need. In Illinois, African-American temp workers who are making discrimination complaints against such agencies are drawing the attention of federal regulators and state lawmakers. Accusations … Read More →

A complaint made by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) on behalf of a female employee of Kentucky Fried Chicken involved religious discrimination. Due to the employee’s religious beliefs, pants were no longer part of her attire. According to the allegations, she was ultimately fired for not adhering to the company’s dress code. Her … Read More →

Sexual harassment claims made by employees or students should always be taken seriously. The federal government has been scrutinizing how colleges handle sexual harassment claims and rape allegations. This affects both students as well as employees of colleges and universities. Currently, Yale University is being criticized for how they chose to handle a recent sexual … Read More →

City officials and residents of Berkley, California participated in a meeting focused on complaints of discrimination made by Berkley employees. One focus of the meeting was a report released by a firm that investigated 20 complaints made by Berkley employees to the NAACP. The meeting also called attention to a union survey that found half … Read More →

As the global population ages, so does the prevalence of age discrimination. The number of age related complaints tend to increase at the time of a recession; in recent years, the number of age-related complaints to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has increased. The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 was put in … Read More →

Age discrimination is rampant but hard to prove. In the U.S., there are laws to protect those who are 40 and older from job discrimination, but both younger and older job applicants face challenges with their resumes. When a company has to lay off employees, often the oldest and the youngest employees are the first … Read More →

A New York Civil Liberties Union lawsuit challenged the Salvation Army’s requirement of employees in its social services programs to identify their church affiliation. Although the Salvation Army’s mission is served in accordance with the Christian faith, the settlement reached ensured that government funds would not be used to discriminate. Although the Salvation Army does … Read More →

The United Nations Ethics Office receives reports of wrongdoing from employees and their appeals for protection against retaliation. The term ‘whistleblower’ is used for an employee who raises a concern about a wrongdoing in their workplace. Like employees who fear retaliation for reporting discrimination, employees who ‘blow the whistle’ on their employer fear retaliation. Retaliation … Read More →

Employment rights protect workers from discrimination in the workplace, including religious discrimination. A recent employment discrimination case heading to the U.S. Supreme Court involves a young Muslim woman who interviewed for a position at an Abercrombie and Fitch store; she wore her hijab during the interview but did not specifically request a religious accommodation. The … Read More →

For decades, both state and federal laws have protected workers from employment discrimination and harassment. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects employees from employment discrimination and harassment. Protected classes include but are not limited to age, race, sex, and religion. The issue is that these laws may not protect unpaid employees, such as interns … Read More →

The Pregnancy Discrimination Act has been in place since 1978, but employees still face pregnancy discrimination in the workplace. In the last ten years, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has seen an increase in the number of complaints regarding pregnancy-based discrimination. Female employees returning from maternity leave may face a demotion, be discriminated against … Read More →

While some rights of patients are covered in the federal Patients’ Bill of Rights, concerns have been raised that there is a lack of focus on the rights of healthcare workers to a safe working environment. Heath care workers and staff, such as nurses, doctors, and caregivers, are not protected under the U.S. Patients’ Bill … Read More →

Westat, a major data company, recently settled a federal job discrimination case. Westat used discriminatory hiring practices and did not provide equal employment opportunities to thousands of minority applicants. As a result of this job discrimination, the company will make job offers to applicants who were discriminated against and pay back wages to those affected. … Read More →

The recession affected older workers. Age discrimination occurs while an older employee is still working. Age discrimination also occurs during the job application process. While many employees were laid off and lost their jobs during the recession, older employees often were the first to be let go. The age discrimination continues when these employees try … Read More →

The unemployment rate of American youth remains high and older job seekers are facing employment difficulties as well. Patterns in job rejection among older workers may suggest age discrimination is taking place. Age is a protected class and it is illegal for an employer to discriminate against a job applicant or employee based on their … Read More →

Responding to the occurrence of sexual harassment and assault is a top priority of the Army. The focus is on taking action against sexual harassment and assault and taking steps to prevent it. The U.S. Army has established an academy committed to fostering an environment of respect within the military; this is in an effort … Read More →

Age discrimination is a very real problem in the workplace; the federal law in place that protects workers and job applicants over 40 is the Age Discrimination in Employment Act. There are certain requirements the employer or labor organization would need to meet in order for employees to be protected under this federal law. Missouri … Read More →

Sexual harassment is a serious issue in all workplaces. Sexual harassment can occur among those who help make and enforce the law. Recently, Senator Kirstin Gillibrand disclosed publicly the sexual harassment she has endured. As to whether it was appropriate for her to inform the public of this is controversial. Gillibrand has received criticism from … Read More →

Just over 50 years ago, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was signed into effect by President Johnson, with the goal to end discrimination. Racial discrimination was common against employees and consumers, prompting many people of all colors to take action. Even though the Civil Rights Act has been in effect for decades, discrimination still … Read More →

Employers should always be concerned about workplace harassment; one way to fight it is to take steps to prevent it. Preventing workplace harassment could include steps such as encouraging employees to report any and all harassment. In businesses, this includes harassment of an employee by a third party. Training and educating staff on what harassment … Read More →

A female Microsoft employee has filed a lawsuit alleging discrimination she experienced in the workplace. She alleges that she was subjected to discrimination based on her gender, race, and age. Though this particular female employee was Hispanic in a work environment consisting of engineers of East Indian descent, discrimination based on race can happen to … Read More →

Workers who need to extend their short-term leave for medical or disability reasons often have few options. One worker for the Colorado Department of Transportation was still in the hospital when his employer sent a letter to his home that he never received. This letter stated he was approaching the deadline for short-term disability. Once … Read More →

Trying to simply explain workplace harassment away with personality differences does not work and is not true. When examining workplace harassment, the focus is often on the victim and harasser; but the environment of the workplace can have huge impacts and set the stage for harassment. Organizations need to focus on preventing harassment. The individual … Read More →

Two former female employees of a Montana bank are filing a federal lawsuit based on alleged sex discrimination that occurred on the job. Sex discrimination is a form of employment discrimination. The sexual harassment included offensive conduct and inappropriate sexual jokes and comments made by supervisors towards these female workers. The lawsuit states these women … Read More →

An operating room nurse who worked for Rush Health Systems has claimed he was discriminated against due to his impaired hearing. The hospital claims his termination was due to job performance issues, but the concern of his hearing disability was brought up by the director of surgical services. Loud music in the operating room made … Read More →

A recent lawsuit filed again the Pennsylvania State Police alleges employment discrimination against women has occurred. The main issue is the standards of the Physical Readiness Test. A significantly lower percentage of women pass the physical fitness test administered by the state police; in 2009 the test was altered and the gender gap widened. This … Read More →

In recent years, the number of pregnancy discrimination complaints filed with the EEOC has increased significantly. This discrimination may be subtle, but can affect job applicants as well as employees seeking a promotion. Upon looking into discrimination complaints, legal counsel of the EEOC often finds that employers do not always understand that good intentions can … Read More →