Yesterday, I discussed the viability and legality of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in the workplace and how a court recently ruled that DEI training is not inherently unlawful. However, that doesn’t mean DEI initiatives can’t cross legal lines. This week, Missouri announced it had filed a lawsuit…
On Wednesday, the Attorney General issued a memo titled “Ending Illegal DEI and DEIA Discrimination and Preferences,” a move poised to send ripples through the private and educational sectors. Aligned with President Trump’s Executive Order on January 21, 2025, this directive targets diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI), and diversity, equity, inclusion,…
Earlier this week, I searched for LGBTQ+ resources on the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) website. On Google, I found a page titled “Moving Towards Equality in the Workplace for LGBTQI+ Employees.” But when I clicked the link, I got an error message: “The requested page could not be…
ICYMI, President Trump has issued an Executive Order titled “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity.” This order aims to eliminate illegal discrimination and preferences based on race and sex in federal policies and practices, with significant implications for private businesses. Here’s what human resources professionals, employment lawyers, and business…
A recent federal appellate court decision highlights some of the complexities of employment discrimination claims. It is a stark reminder for companies that even well-intentioned reorganizations can lead to legal challenges if not handled transparently and consistently. The Backstory The plaintiff was terminated from her role as Associate Director during a…
In a recent decision from the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit involving a claim of sex discrimination in hiring, the court offered some lessons for employers that may “use their gut” to decide between two qualified candidates. The plaintiff, a Black woman, had a long career…
Last year, several media outlets reported about a lawsuit that a clothing designer who worked for Lizzo and her touring company had asserted against them and another individual. That lawsuit included several claims under state law for discrimination, retaliation, and assault, among others. On paper, it didn’t sound good for…
Is this post safe for work? Yes, it is. Did I write it in Incognito mode, just in case? Yes, I did. A recent California decision offers employers a good reminder about the importance of applying work rules and policies evenly to avoid potential discrimination claims. The case involves a…
Employers don’t have crystal balls. Last week, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals reaffirmed the well-settled rule that when one coworker accuses another of creating a hostile work environment, that claim will fail ten times out of ten unless the employer knew or should have known about the harassment but…
Yesterday, the EEOC announced that it had sued an employer for allegedly denying a new hire request to leave training early for an urgent medical evaluation related to her pregnancy and rescinded her job offer. These are just allegations. However, according to the EEOC complaint, the federal discrimination watchdog appears to…