Tag Archives: Discriminatory

Racial Discrimination Lawsuit: Fox News

June 8, 2017 17:22 /

In addition to sexual harassment lawsuits recently filed against Fox News, this is now a racial discrimination lawsuit filed by 13 former and current employees against the network. The lawsuit alleges the network engaged in systemic racial discrimination; for example, a controller is alleged to have subjected workers to discriminatory language such as ‘Latinos like to have a lot of kids’ and that African Americans ‘drive up everyone’s health insurance premiums’. A network co-head accused of allowing a workplace culture in which sexual harassment and racial discrimination could develop ultimately resigned. Allegations of discrimination and harassment at Fox News have been followed by a shake-up in upper management.

While Fox News is a large employer and has made headlines, it is important to recognize that employment discrimination and harassment can occur anywhere, at a major company or in a small business. Workers have rights and should get in contact with a labor lawyer if help is needed. Discrimination can be based on many factors, including but not limited to: race, national origin, religion, gender, and pregnancy. If you are an employee experiencing discrimination in Missouri, employment attorneys, the Missouri Commission on Human Rights (MCHR), or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) may be able to help.

Source: By Mike Snider; From USAToday

Link: https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2017/05/08/racial-discrimination-suit-against-fox-expands-two-more-claimants/101449098/

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

Watching Out For Employment Discrimination

February 9, 2017 17:20 /

Part of combating employment discrimination is making sure that employees know how to recognize discrimination and learn what their rights are. Employment discrimination can take many forms, verbal or physical, some obvious, some subtle. Discriminatory treatment and/or harassment at work may include derogatory comments based on one’s sex, age, or race, or the subjection of certain workers to demotion, unwarranted disciplinary action or termination. If you are a worker experiencing discrimination, such as gender discrimination, you may feel unsure when trying to deciding how to address it. Laws against discrimination can vary from state to state; this is one of many reasons why speaking with a labor lawyer can be helpful. If you are questioning whether the mistreatment you are dealing with on the job is bullying, bias, racial inequality, discrimination, sexual harassment, or a hostile work environment, call a law firm or employment attorney in your area to learn what protections employees have, what options you have, and what action you can take.

Link: https://smallbiztrends.com/2017/01/types-of-discrimination-in-the-workplace.html

Source: By Sarah Landrum; From Small Business Trends

Posted in: Discrimination, Employment / 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: , , , , , , , , , ,

Pregnancy Discrimination Continues

December 12, 2016 12:00 /

Many workers still face discrimination and harassment during pregnancy or when they return to work for their employer. The Missouri Department of Labor shows complaints of pregnancy discrimination are on the rise. This type of employment discrimination is often under-reported and has been shown to occur more often in smaller or local businesses. The article below reminds us that women still face pregnancy discrimination in 2016, but that there are remedies available to you if you are facing this barrier. It discusses issues female employees face in the workplace while pregnant, including Missouri’s State Auditor and her experience as a working mom. Negative comments during pregnancy are unfortunately not unusual, such as coworkers suggesting the woman should get a pet instead of having another child, or doubts about her work performance, whether she will be able to handle both having a family and running a busy office. Mistreatment can take different forms, from discriminatory comments, to being denied a promotion, to termination. There are laws against discrimination, some which vary by state. If you are experiencing discrimination or harassment at work, consider contacting a labor lawyer or law firm near you to better understand your rights and what deadlines you may face when reporting.

Link: http://www.kmov.com/story/33653686/pregnant-women-still-face-discrimination-at-work

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

Wage Discrimination in Sports

June 17, 2016 08:30 /

In March 2016, five players on the U.S. Women’s Soccer team filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Part of the claim alleged that members of the women’s team make up to four times less than their male national team counterparts. The U.S. Soccer Federation has asked the EEOC to dismiss the complaint of wage discrimination, stating that there is no evidence U.S. Soccer is acting with a ‘discriminatory motive’ or is in violation of the law. According to the article below, an attorney for the players who filed the complaint has not immediately responded. The different ways the players are paid contributes to much of the disparity in wages between the men and women. The women earn salaries and receive biweekly paychecks from the U.S. Soccer Federation. Base pay is $72,000 for most players, with bonuses based on game appearances and wins. The women also earn separate salaries for play in the National Women’s Soccer League. Last year, they won the World Cup and played a series of victory tour matches. Because the pay structure was set up under separate collective bargaining agreements negotiated by unions for the men’s and women’s national teams, some may find it unclear as to whether wage discrimination is the problem. While this matter is regarding compensation for these star athletes, it is important to note that employment discrimination can affect men and women in any field, at any pay grade. The Equal Pay Act requires that male and female workers in the same workplace be given equal pay for equal work. The website for the EEOC provides the description that the jobs don’t have to be identical, but they must be substantially equal. If there is an inequality in wages between men and women, employers may not reduce the wages of either sex to equalize their pay. There are laws against discrimination and employees facing issues such as wage discrimination, sex discrimination, gender harassment or sexual harassment in the workplace should be informed about what protections they have. Agencies, such as the EEOC and the Missouri Commission on Human Rights (MCHR), or lawyers at employment law firms in your area may be able to assist.

Link: http://www.kansascity.com/news/business/national-international/article81019327.html

https://www.eeoc.gov/laws/types/equalcompensation.cfm

 Source: By Anne M. Peterson; From The Kansas City Star

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

Workplace Disability Discrimination

March 22, 2016 09:00 /

Disability-based job discrimination complaints are hitting an all-time high. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), which has the authority to investigate charges of discrimination against employers who are covered by the law, reported a six percent rise in disability discrimination charges filed in 2015. Thousands of those were resolved, bringing monetary benefits for workers who were harmed. The agency also monitors employment discrimination complaints related to race, color, sex, age, religion, pregnancy, genetic information and national origin. This includes sexual harassment in the workplace and harassment at work based on these protected classes. High-profile gender discrimination lawsuits, such as Pao v. Kleiner Perkins, and labor lawyers have brought greater attention to employees’ rights, protections, gender issues and sex harassment. If these are problem you have faced in the workplace, consider contacting an attorney at The Bullman Law Firm.

Link: https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2016/02/17/workplace-claims-record-high/21926/

Source: By Shaun Heasley; From The Disability Scoop

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

Anti-Disability Clauses Can Lead to Discrimination

March 7, 2016 09:00 /

A routine job search will typically turn up many positions that lifting a certain amount, such as 25lbs, to be a job requirement. Unfortunately, human resources departments often place these clauses in job postings in ways that may violate the American with Disabilities Act. Unemployment and employment discrimination is an important issue for workers with disabilities. The author of the article interviewed various lawyers, federal officials, universities, and disabled job seekers to further understand disability discrimination and how to move forward. Questions such as ‘why does an employer, such as a university, require a dean to be able to lift 25lbs?’ and ‘why does an employee, such as a director of writing, need to climb stairs and ladders?’ arose. Employers need to accommodate employees with disabilities and re-evaluate specific physical demands that may violate workers’ rights. If you believe you have suffered harassment or discrimination based on a disability in the Kansas City, Missouri area, consider contacting our law firm to see if one of our attorneys can help.

Link: http://america.aljazeera.com/opinions/2016/2/job-discrimination-in-plain-print.html

Source: By David M. Perry; From Al Jazeera

 

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

Discrimination Lawsuit Against Chicago Police Settles

March 4, 2016 09:00 /

The U.S. Department of Justice sued the city of Chicago for alleged employment discrimination against foreign-born people. Police candidates who were rejected under a residency requirement were awarded back pay; in addition to the settlement, the employer, Chicago Police Department, will offer eight of the rejected applicants jobs. The lawsuit alleged that the 10-year continuous U.S. residence requirement for entry-level police officer applicants resulted in a discriminatory hiring process, rejecting potential employees. The 10-year residency requirement has now been changed to five years. This article below is an important reminder that applicants as well as workers face discrimination in the workplace. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act protects employees from racial discrimination and harassment and discrimination based on other protected classes such as national origin. Employment lawyers can help workers better understand their rights. Employees suffering from harassment or discrimination from their employer may be able to find an attorney by a contacting a law firm.

Link: http://news.yahoo.com/u-settles-job-discrimination-suit-against-chicago-police-212123560.html

By: Reuters.com; From Yahoo! News

 

 

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

Avoiding Discrimination in Job Ads

July 17, 2015 09:00 /

The wording used in job advertisements is important. State and federal laws protect workers from employment discrimination based on a protected class. These protections extend to job applicants as well. Typically, a discriminatory job advertisement is easily spotted, if it is seeking applicants of a specific gender or race. New terms such as ‘digital native’ may be less specific but still discriminatory, potentially deterring older applicants from applying for the position. ‘Digital native’ generally refers younger individuals who, from an early age, have been exposed to digital technology, as opposed to older workers who would have learned it later in life. Employers should specify the skill sets they are looking for and not use labels, which can contribute to discriminatory hiring practices.

Link: http://www.montereyherald.com/opinion/20150709/sara-boyns-workplace-law-avoiding-discrimination-in-job-postings

Source: Sara Boyns; From Monterey Herald

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