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The Missouri House of Representatives is considering legislation that would take away the rights of the brave men and women who serve us in the Military. The legislation would make it legal, under Missouri law, to fire an employee because he or she is serving in the military or has served in the Military. On … Read More →

A sexual harassment prevention article has been posted by NOLO.com. Sexual harassment, clear policy on sexual harassment and zero tolerance for sexual harassment are all addressed. Preventing sexual harassment is not only the employer’s obligation, but it is also key to prevent employees from suffering harm in the first place. Source:  http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/preventing-sexual-harassment-workplace-29851.html

Preventing sexual harassment in a serious and effective way is required according to a recent article (about a recent study) on sexual harassment.  The same article (and study) outlines the importance of the employer creating a work environment which supports reporting sexual harassment and supports those who stand up to make the reports of sexual … Read More →

The EEOC publishes a useful sexual harassment resource guide.  You can find it here:  http://www.eeoc.gov/laws/types/sexual_harassment.cfm.

A new article discuses a hot issue:  gender discrimination on the internet. The article on discrimination provides specific examples of women being mistreated on the internet.  The mistreatment goes as far as threats of physical violence and harassment. This type of internet discrimination and harassment is common for a number of reasons including that those … Read More →

EEOC has an informative question and answer section on race discrimination. Questions include how employers can avoid race discrimination in hiring and promotions and how employers can avoid race harassment in general. Source:  http://www.eeoc.gov/policy/docs/qanda_race_color.html

Discrimination, equal pay and economic justice are the topics of a new editorial published by CNN. The article discusses how 1 in 3 Americans live below the poverty line – and that 70% are women and children. This article emphasizes again how gender discrimination is real and serious.  Our law firm represents employees who have … Read More →

The Kansas City Star posted an article this morning on the Kansas City Human Relations Department. The Kansas City Human Relations Department is part of the City of Kansas City and investigates discrimination, harassment and retaliation. Known as the KCHRD, this department is similar to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Missouri Commission … Read More →

Two articles from Bill Moyers’ website discuss race discrimination and racism. The first article involves fighting race discrimination and racism in 2014.  The post outlines 3 topics: (1) Reclaiming the definition of racism, (2) Putting respectability politics back on the shelf, and (3) Making every politician say the words, “mass incarceration.” Source:  http://billmoyers.com/2014/01/06/three-ways-to-fight-racism-in-2014/ The second … Read More →

Sexual harassment continues to be a very serious problem. A recent article outlines 5 commonsense (and low cost) steps to prevent sexual harassment. 1.  Create a policy that prohibits sexual harassment of any kind. The sexual harassment policy must broadly define sexual harassment, state that all offenders will be disciplined, encourage victims to report sexual … Read More →

Sexual harassment occurs in (nearly) every industry.  Our sexual harassment law firm finds that some of the most common and worst sexual harassment happens in jobs where women are isolated.  Sexual harassers also often use to their advantage the fear sexual harassment victims have to report the sexual harassers.  Many victims of sexual harassment fear … Read More →

Native Americans face race and ancestry discrimination, according to a recent article.  This discrimination is most common in the Southwest, Western Midwest and Northern Plains states. This research suggests this is in part because larger minorities in any given area tend to be discriminated against more because they are more of a threat to the … Read More →

Another recent study again confirms that less sex discrimination and less race discrimination leads to more economic growth.  This is because when people are evaluated based on their skills and abilities (what really matters) then the economy is more efficient and therefore grows. Our law firm represents workers in civilly prosecuting corporations for discrimination, harassment … Read More →

Pregnant women can take some steps to reduce pregnancy discrimination while seeking work, according to a recent study. The study found that pregnancy discrimination does occur.  This is because of unfair pregnancy stereotypes.  Pregnancy stereotypes include that pregnant women, as a rule, are not committed and not flexible when it comes to work. However, pregnant … Read More →

Sexual harassment is the subject of a recent blog post, including questions and answers on sexual harassment. Questions involve: Why are some women targeted and others not targeted for sexual harassment? What do men think about other men who sexually harass? What do women think about other women who report sexual harassment? What can organizations … Read More →

75% of women believe the United States must do more to bridge the gender inequality gap. 15% of women believe they personally have been discriminated against based on their gender. These statistics come from a recent study based on 2002 phone interviews.  These statistics are consistent with a number of other studies on the same … Read More →

The New York Times has published an article on the rising problem of age discrimination.  Age discrimination is whenever age contributed or motivated to a job decision (hiring, firing, promoting, demoting, pay, etc.)  Age discrimination is on the rise in-part because many baby boomers want to keep working but anti-age stereotypes often get in the … Read More →

Virginia Minor founded the Woman Suffrage Association of Missouri in 1867.  5 years later she tried to vote, but was rejected.  She fought this discrimination in the Missouri trial court, the Missouri Supreme Court and, ultimately, the United States Supreme Court by asserting that all citizens had a right to vote. The United States Supreme … Read More →

Miss Kansas, Theresa Vail, was a target of sexual harassment while in the military.  Her advice is to “raise hell” and “stand up” for yourself because nobody is going to stand up for you. If you are being sexually harassed it is important that you contact a qualified attorney while you are still employed, if … Read More →

The EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) has put together a guide and policy on stopping and preventing sexual harassment in the work place. The guide addresses zero tolerance, communicating the policies and procedures to employees, confidentiality and taking corrective action. Source:  http://www.eeoc.gov/eeoc/internal/harassment_order.cfm

Monster.com has posted best practices on preventing sexual harassment.  This includes training, responding to complaints appropriately and avoiding and managing situations so they don’t get out of hand. Source:  http://hiring.monster.com/hr/hr-best-practices/workforce-management/employee-performance-management/prevent-workplace-harassment.aspx

Religious discrimination rights is a recent article from NOLO.  The article discusses discrimination, rights to reasonable religious accommodations and workplace expressions of religion. Source:  http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/rights-against-religious-discrimination-29504.html

1.  Promptly report the complaint 2.  Promptly investigate 3.  Be familiar with EEOC guidelines 4.  Adequately document 5.  Interview all potential witnesses 6.  Take remedial measures while investigating 7.  Take steps to avoid retaliation 8.  Remember that confidential complaints still count 9.  Avoid prejudging complaints 10.  Be consistent Source:  http://www.hrhero.com/hl/articles/2012/07/31/top-10-tips-for-conducting-an-effective-sexual-harassment-investigation/

Age discrimination and harassment is an increasing problem.  Forbes.com has posted an article on 11 ways corporations get rid of older workers. This includes: 1. Job Elimination, 2. Layoff, 3. Suddenly stupid, 4. Threatening the pension, 5. Early retirement, 6. Mandatory retirement age, 7. Cutting job duties, 8. Isolation, 9. Denying promotions or opportunities for … Read More →

The LGBT discrimination bill clears the 60 vote hurdle in the United States Senate, which signals the bill will likely pass the Senate.  The bill essentially makes LGBT discrimination in employment illegal under federal law. Polls show that more than 80% of Americans already believe LGBT discrimination is illegal.  About a dozen states have laws … Read More →

At least in New York, unpaid interns are not protected from sexual harassment.  This is because a technical reading of the law that applies in New York says an unpaid intern is not an “employee.” Although this writer is not aware of any Missouri case directly on point, the Missouri Human Rights Act protects most … Read More →

Sexual harassment training is now mandatory for all University of Kansas students (and employees). The purpose is to teach students about sexual harassment, what they can do about sexual harassment and to encourage students to do the right thing by stopping sexual harassment.  Training is also important because it sends the message that sexual harassment … Read More →

The Missouri Commission on Human Rights has an informative website, you can visit them here:  http://labor.mo.gov/mohumanrights/. Before filing most discrimination or harassment lawsuits in Missouri, employees must first file “charges” with either the Missouri Commission on Human Rights or the EEOC.  This includes discrimination or harassment based on sex, race, religion, age, disability, national origin … Read More →

Cornell’s law school has developed an extensive guide on employment discrimination. Source:  http://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/employment_discrimination

Discrimination is real, and is a problem.  This article cites various facts showing why discrimination continues.  This includes lack of EEOC funding and changes in the law that make it more difficult to defend civil rights against discrimination. Source:  http://www.theatlantic.com/sexes/archive/2013/04/a-simple-legal-way-to-help-stop-employment-discrimination/274519/

Retaliation facts from the EEOC.  This article provides facts and examples of retaliation, and ways to report, complain about and oppose discrimination or harassment. Source:  http://www.eeoc.gov/laws/types/facts-retal.cfm

Juan Williams from Foxnews has written a thoughtful editorial on race in America. Mr. Williams acknowledges that race discrimination has improved, but is still real.  For racial discrimination, he points to blacks receiving less wages, lower employment opportunities, higher unemployment, more poverty, higher incarceration and lower life expectancy. On the other hand, to show racial … Read More →

A recent survey highlights (again) how sexual harassment is largely unreported.  According to the survey, 1 in 5 women report being sexually harassed by a boss at some point and 1 in 4 women report being sexually harassed by a co-worker.  While 6% of men report being sexually harassed by a boss and 14% of … Read More →

The New York Times has posted an editorial from Charles Blow detailing racial discrimination 50 years after the “I Have a Dream Speech” by Dr. King. Mr. Blow recognizes that race has improved in some ways but points to the problems of implicit racial bias, structural racial inequality and systematic racial inequality. The article also … Read More →

Our law firm civilly prosecutes sexual harassment on behalf of employees.  We hold sexual harassers accountable.  We hold businesses that allow or condone sex harassment accountable.  One major purpose in our law firm civilly prosecuting sexual harassment is to hold sexual harassers accountable and create a strong incentive for businesses to take reasonable steps to … Read More →

Expecting 100,000 people, organizers in Washington DC peacefully gathered today with many to walk the same route that Dr. King and hundreds of thousands of others walked exactly 50 years ago. The march today serves as a celebration of progress but, equally important, a reminder that much progress still remains. Source:  http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-king-dream-speech-20130824,0,2809914.story

Last month black unemployment was 12.6 percent, compared to just 6.6 percent for whites.  Since 2007, black household income has dropped 12.4 percent, compared to a 7 percent drop for whites. This is just part of the picture.  While pay and unemployment for blacks continues to be less on average, there are 10 times as … Read More →

Preventing and reducing sexual harassment is very important.  Although preventing and reducing sexual harassment is attainable with a little effort, some businesses take the calculated risk of doing nothing, or doing little, thus needlessly exposing their employees to sexual harassment.  Also, by taking sexual harassment seriously, employers show their employees that sexual harassment is serious. … Read More →

This CNN article compares the wages and benefits for three major employers, Wendy’s, Wal-mart and Costco. Source:  http://money.cnn.com/2013/08/06/news/economy/costco-fast-food-strikes/index.html?iid=obnetwork

Religious discrimination is the subject of a recent article from NOLO.  The article discusses religious discrimination and employers’ obligation to make reasonable accommodation for religious practices such as Sabbath accommodation. As we have posted on this blog before, religious discrimination is unfortunately very commonplace.  It comes in various forms including off handed comments to not … Read More →

The Kansas City Star published a recent editorial on discrimination and, in particular, discrimination against working women. The article outlines that working women tend to face discrimination regarding childcare needs.  Working women also face discrimination, even if they don’t have children, because of the possible expectation working women may have children at some point in … Read More →

Sexual harassment is the subject of a recent guide by the American Bar Association. Topics include defining sexual harassment, explaining quid pro quo sexual harassment, what constitutes “voluntary” acts for sexual harassment, hostile work environment, what victims of sexual harassment should do, and how employers can prevent sexual harassment from happening in the first place. … Read More →

In continuing to shine light on sexual harassment, a 15th woman now claims she was sexually harassed by the San Diego Mayor. If anything, this again demonstrates how 95% to 98% of sexual harassment victims remain completely silent (with some speaking out only when compelled to do so). According to the allegations, most of the … Read More →

Age discrimination has been seen or experienced by two-thirds of Americans between 45 and 74, according to a recent survey. Age discrimination is a serious problem.  Age discrimination and harassment is often hidden or covered up.  It is important for anyone who believes they have suffered from discrimination or harassment to contact a qualified attorney.  … Read More →

According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), 17.8% of all sexual harassment charges were filed by men in 2012. This is up from 16.1% in 2011 and 16.2% in 2010.  While the percentages have only slightly increased, this reflects an overall trend of men reporting sexual harassment. Our law firm represents both women and … Read More →

Senator McCaskill continues her fight against sexual harassment and abuse in the military.  This morning she appears on NBC’s Meet the Press.  She is particularly focused on stopping retaliation for those who report sexual harassment and abuse so that all may feel protected and safe when they report the truth. Source:  http://www.nbcnews.com/id/3032608/

Discrimination is costly, and doesn’t make (money) sense according to a recent article from Time Magazine. Putting aside basic values of fairness, discrimination is inefficient economics too.  Discrimination results in a less productive work-force where workers are treated on something other than their skills and abilities (and what results in better production). Our law firm … Read More →

While the sex harassment (alleged) victim total is up to 11, the San Diego mayor has left his 2 week in-patient therapy, 1 week early.  The mayor claims he will instead do the therapy on an out-patient basis, although critics doubt the mayor’s claim. Source:  http://www.cnn.com/2013/08/10/us/san-diego-mayor-scandal/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

An 18 year old female sales intern is sexually harassed by a 65 year old male manager.  The male manager demands the young female have sex with him or she’d lose her unpaid internship.  She refuses.  He fires her. Some courts are holding that “unpaid” interns like this are not protected by sexual harassment law.  … Read More →