Tag Archives: Civil Rights

2017: Reflecting on Civil Rights

February 6, 2017 18:55 /

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is observed in January each year. He is best known for his role in the advancement of civil rights. His activism brought forth other leaders who opposed racial inequality and stood by him throughout the civil rights movement. Photographs in the article below capture the importance of unity and strength in a time of controversy and violence.

King organized and led marches for blacks’ right to vote, desegregation, and labor rights. Marches called attention to indignities suffered by African Americans, and of segregationist violence and harassment of civil rights workers and marchers. This brought hope and progress in ending racial prejudice.

Unfortunately, despite the success of the civil rights movement of the 1960s, many people continue to face racial issues, both in employment and outside of work. Employees suffering from mistreatment on the job deserve a work environment free from discrimination and harassment. If you are a worker experiencing racism and discrimination in employment, consider consulting with a labor lawyer to better understand your rights. Contact an employment attorney at the Bullman Law Firm in Kansas City today.

Link: http://abcnews.go.com/US/photographers-lens-martin-luther-king-civil-rights-movement/story?id=44768267

Source: By Celina Fang and Emilie Richardson; From ABC News

Posted in: Discrimination / Tagged: , , , , , , ,

Reflecting on 2016: Employment Law Changes: Overtime, Discrimination

January 5, 2017 20:03 /

All employers should be aware of the 2016 Fair Labor Standards Act overtime rule changes. Updates to overtime pay was a major change this year. The change to the required minimum salary for employees exempt under the administrative, executive, or professional exemption became effective Dec. 1, 2016. Heading in to 2017, employers should also make sure they are aware of U.S. Department of Labor updates and continue to keep the lines of communication open with employees regarding overtime pay, salary changes, and differences between exempt and non-exempt employment status.

Retaliation continues to be the most common charge filed against employers. Guidance from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) for processing, investigating and proving retaliation also comes with a focus on preventing future retaliation and improving employer-employee relationships.

The issue of pay equity continues to be a major concern, which gained attention earlier this year when players on the U.S. Women’s Soccer team filed a discrimination claim. If employees are allowed to discuss pay, it could open the door to revealing and correcting discriminatory disparities in pay. One of the priorities of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is to ensure equal pay protections for all workers. While this year’s discrimination focus has often been concentrated on protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and national origin, it is always important to remember that workers continue to face discrimination based on race, age, disability, religion and other protected classes. While the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is federal law, employment protections can vary by state. If you are experiencing discrimination and/or harassment in the workplace, contact an attorney or law firm near you to better understand your rights. A labor lawyer may be able to help.

Link: http://www.greeleytribune.com/news/business/from-ot-to-discrimination-employment-law-activity-that-shaped-2016/

Source: By Katie Loehrke; From TheTribune

Posted in: Discrimination, EEOC / Tagged: , , , , , , , , , ,

Facebook Hit with Civil Rights Lawsuit

December 10, 2016 15:45 /

A potential class-action lawsuit has accused Facebook of violating federal civil rights laws by publishing job and housing ads that discriminate against minorities. Their advertising platform allegedly causes discriminatory and illegal housing and employment advertisement to be published. Ad buyers are allegedly about to click a button that allows them to ‘Exclude People’, thus preventing their ads from being displayed to users matching certain ‘ethnic affinity’ groups or immigration status. The social networking site’s head of multicultural marketing insists that once the company becomes aware of discrimination occurring on their advertising platform that aggressive action is taken. The plaintiffs insist the company needs to do more, because a user may not be able to tell that they are subjected to discrimination and that additional action is needed to remedy this. Several African American lawmakers have urged CEO Mark Zuckerberg to make revisions to these targeting exclusions. Individuals experience discrimination in numerous settings, as a customer, as a worker, or even as a tenant. Laws against discrimination, such as the Fair Housing Act and the Civil Rights Act of 1964, provide protections. Lawyers, as well as state and federal agencies, such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), may be able to help. Contact an attorney at the Bullman Law Firm in Kansas City if you are suffering from race discrimination or harassment on the job.

Source: By Wendy Davis; From Media Post Publication Daily Online Examiner

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/288442/facebook-hit-with-civil-rights-lawsuit-over-race-b.html

Posted in: Discrimination, Lawsuit / Tagged: , , , , , , , , ,

11th Circuit Court of Appeals Dismisses Lawsuit

October 24, 2016 09:00 /

The article below briefly describes an employment discrimination lawsuit, EEOC vs. Catastrophe Management Solutions, that involved an African American job applicant who wore her hair in dreadlocks and whose job offer was allegedly rescinded because of it. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is a federal agency that administers and enforces civil rights laws against workplace discrimination. The EEOC argued that banning dreadlocks was racial discrimination because this style of hair is typically associated with people of African descent, taking a position that this is based on an understanding of race as a social construct. Similar cases have been presented before, but courts have interpreted race as a skin color and fixed traits. One of the factors in deciding the case was that every court prior has rejected the argument that Title VII protects hairstyles culturally associated with race. There are laws against race discrimination; Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is a federal law that prohibits employers from discriminating against employees on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, and religion. An EEOC spokeswoman stated, “We believe the court was incorrect when it held that the employer’s actions could not be proven to be race discrimination. We are reviewing our options.” If you are experiencing problems at work, such as racial prejudice or racial harassment, consider contacting a labor lawyer today. Attorneys at the Bullman Law Firm in Kansas City, Missouri may be able to help you.

Link: http://www.essence.com/2016/09/20/judge-ban-dreadlocks-workplace-discrimination

Source: By Sydney Scott; From Essence

Posted in: Discrimination, EEOC, Lawsuit / Tagged: , , , , , , ,

KASCO Employment Discrimination Lawsuit

September 14, 2016 09:00 /

The U.S Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed a lawsuit against a St. Louis, Missouri company, KASCO, LLC, on behalf of an employee allegedly discriminated against based on her religion and national origin. The article below describes the work environment she experienced, as well as the retaliation she allegedly endured when she complained about the discriminatory treatment. The lawsuit describes discriminatory comments made, which included derogatory remarks about the worker’s native country, Afghanistan, the worker’s participation in fasting during Ramadan and wearing a hijab. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits religious discrimination and requires employers to make reasonable accommodations to employees’ sincerely held religious beliefs. The lawsuit also alleges wrongful termination, that when the employee complained to KASCO, LLC about the mistreatment, she was fired. The EEOC is a federal agency responsible for enforcing federal laws that prohibit employment discrimination; state agencies, such as the Missouri Commission on Human Rights (MCHR) are also in place to ensure compliance with laws established to prevent discrimination. If you are experiencing a similar situation in the workplace, race discrimination, or sexual harassment, seriously consider contacting an agency such as MCHR, a law firm, or an employment attorney in your area. A lawyer may be able to help and are often available to contact via phone, email or online inquiry.

Link: http://www.natlawreview.com/article/eeoc-sues-kasco-discrimination-and-retaliation-against-muslim-employee

Source: The National Law Review

Posted in: EEOC, Missouri / Tagged: , , , , , , , , ,

Defining Sexual Harassment

June 16, 2016 09:00 /

Up until around 1991, what constituted ‘sexual harassment’ was viewed as something an employee had to deal with on the job. 1991’s Civil Rights Act expanded the rights of employees against employers in cases of discrimination and harassment and made these actions illegal. The website for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) describes harassment as including but not limited to ‘sexual harassment’ or unwelcome sexual advances, or offensive remarks about a person’s sex. Workers’ protections constantly evolve as laws change. While some may be familiar with recent sex discrimination lawsuits or with what sex harassment is, it was not always this way. Women, such as Anita Hill, have brought attention to how serious the issue of sexual harassment in the workplace is and what action you can take if it is happening to you. Greater awareness and stronger laws may prevent future sexual harassment. But if you are working in the Kansas City area and experiencing similar mistreatment, such as discrimination and/or harassment at work, avenues for help include employment law firms, labor lawyers, the Missouri Commission on Human Rights (MCHR), and the EEOC. An attorney may be able to help you better understand your rights.

Link: https://www.eeoc.gov/laws/types/sexual_harassment.cfm

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/arlene-schindler-/sexual-harassment-against-women_b_9665636.html

Source: By Arlene Schindler; From The Huffington Post

Posted in: Discrimination, EEOC, Harassment, Sexual Harassment / Tagged: , , , , , , , ,

Pride St. Louis

March 29, 2016 09:00 /

‘Solidarity’ is the theme for the 2016 PrideFest celebration at Soldiers’ Memorial in downtown St. Louis, Missouri. The community is facing numerous issues, such as fighting new Missouri legislation that could further allow discrimination against consumers and seeking to pass laws to protect LGBT people in employment and housing. Recent Missouri bills, if they pass, could affect many employers, employees, and customers from St. Louis to Kansas City. The full Missouri Senate passed Senate Joint Resolution 39 last week, better known as a ‘religious freedom’ bill. Because any potential changes to state law can affect citizens, workers need to know their rights and what their current protections against harassment at work are and what laws against discrimination are or are not in place. The Missouri Commission on Human Rights, employment attorneys and law firms in Kansas City can assist if you are experiencing sexual harassment in the workplace or gender harassment. Consider contacting a labor lawyer today to better understand your rights.

Link: http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/pride-st-louis-aims-create-bigger-tent-and-increase-political-muscle

Source: By Nancy Fowler; From St. Louis Public Radio

 

Posted in: Discrimination, Missouri, Preventing / Tagged: , , , , ,

Hollywood and Discrimination

March 9, 2016 09:00 /

Recently, media attention on Hollywood has been focused on the Oscars and lack of inclusion of black actors and actresses on the nominees list. The lack of diversity has also sparked attention to the fact that other groups are also under-represented, such as very few female directors and few women in other behind-the-camera roles. Pay discrimination is an ongoing problem both inside and outside Hollywood. More conversations about unequal pay for women and unequal pay for minorities have arisen, but many are still waiting for that to be followed by action. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has pledged to double the number of women and people of color among its membership by 2020. Currently, there is an EEOC investigation into alleged discriminatory hiring practices of women directors. In the article below, attorney Melissa Goodman of the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California spoke optimistically that with time, the systemic failure to hire female directors will be corrected; Hollywood decision-makers do not get a free pass to discriminate and violate civil rights laws. Mainstream film industry biases have negatively affected the gender ratio and number of roles for actors of color; this is an important reminder that employees have rights, no matter what industry they are in. Race discrimination, racial harassment, sex discrimination, and sexual harassment are against the law in any field, not just Hollywood. Workers can contact an employment discrimination law firm to see if a lawyer can help.

Link: http://www.kansascity.com/entertainment/article61802977.html

Source: By Jocelyn Noveck; From The Kansas City Star

 

Posted in: Discrimination, EEOC, Harassment / Tagged: , , , , ,

Discrimination in Job Searches

March 23, 2015 09:00 /

A study conducted by a University of Michigan researcher found that even black graduates from elite universities still face racial discrimination in the preliminary stages of the employment process. The study found that black graduates from top colleges had to send out more resumes than their white counterparts and received responses for jobs listed at a lower salary. African-American job candidates with ‘racialized names’ received fewer requests for a job interview when compared to white job candidates with equal qualifications. The article below suggests that even education is not enough to prevent discrimination. Discriminatory hiring processes and discrimination in the workplace are prohibited by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Link: http://www.ibtimes.com/black-graduates-top-colleges-face-discrimination-job-search-salaries-study-finds-1847590

Source: Catherine Dunn; From International Business Times

 

Posted in: Discrimination / Tagged: , ,

Discrimination Investigation

March 9, 2015 09:00 /

The Attorney General of Missouri launched an investigation into Ferguson, Missouri law enforcement, in response to concerns of police aggression and discrimination. The civil rights investigation conducted by the United States Department of Justice has found that Ferguson law enforcement workers were routinely involved in discrimination against African-Americans. Police officers used work email accounts to make racially discriminatory jokes about black people. Patterns of discrimination were found in disproportionately high occurrences of the ticketing and arrests of African-Americans made by the Ferguson Missouri Police Department.

Link: http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2015/03/03/DOJ-report-finds-systematic-discrimination-in-Ferguson/1781425420741/

Source: Danielle Haynes; From United Press International

 

Posted in: Discrimination, Missouri / Tagged: , , , , ,