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The Employer Handbook Blog
Articles Posted in Discrimination and Unlawful Harassment
Two important announcements and an ADA lesson “straight out of the school of hard knocks.”
Image Credit: Pixabay.com (https://pixabay.com/en/megaphone-speaker-speakers-speak-3272636/)
Here are the important announcements: Continue reading
If you’re considering forcing your employees to practice the “Onionhead” religion, well, don’t.
Image Credit: FreeStockPhotos.biz (http://www.freestockphotos.biz/stockphoto/15030)
We employment lawyers have stories upon stories.
When it comes to the employer-employee relationship, especially when that relationship hits the skids, we’ve seen it all.
But, every once in a while there comes a story that even raises my eyebrows. Continue reading
A federal judge put the kibosh on Philly’s salary-history ban. Well, not really.
Image Credit: Pixabay.com (https://pixabay.com/en/interview-job-icon-job-interview-1018333/)
Last year, Philadelphia passed a law that banned local employers from asking individuals about their salary history. The purpose of the law was to help close the wage gap between men and women.
Then the local Chamber of Commerce went to federal court to attempt to block the law. Their first attempt was unsuccessful. But, they came back with even more business groups to take a second bite at the apple.
And, yesterday, Judge Mitchell Goldberg ruled on the matter. Continue reading
“Historic, sweeping equal pay legislation” passes in New Jersey. Is your business ready?
By Darwinek [CC BY-SA 3.0 or GFDL], via Wikimedia Commons
Well, mark your calendars for July 1, 2018.
That’s when the Diane B. Allen Equal Pay Act will take effect, after Governor Phil Murphy signed it into law on April 24. Continue reading
Want to see me testify today on harassment and sexual misconduct in the workplace? Here’s how…
Ad Meskens [Attribution, CC BY-SA 3.0 or GFDL], from Wikimedia Commons
Must you produce the workplace investigation report prepared to defend a sexual harassment lawsuit?
Image Credit: Pixabay.com (https://pixabay.com/en/safe-vault-lockbox-safekeeping-30110/)
A female employee has just complained to HR that the CEO harassed her. This complaint is the third one against the same alleged harasser. So, you hire an outside attorney to conduct a full investigation anticipating that there might be subsequent litigation. The attorney investigates and furnishes a written report of her findings and conclusions.
If the internal sexual harassment complaint evolves into a lawsuit, and the plaintiff requests a copy of the written report, does the defendant have to turn it over? Continue reading
Starbucks details how, in one afternoon, it will train about 175K employees on racial bias
Screenshot taken from https://news.starbucks.com/press-releases/starbucks-to-close-stores-nationwide-for-racial-bias-education-may-29
In a video posted on the company’s website, Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson followed up his initial apology for last week’s incident in Philadelphia with additional details on how the company would try to avoid a similar event in the future. Continue reading
Now THIS right here is some hecka-cold retaliation (allegedly)
Image credit: PublicDomainPictures.net (https://www.publicdomainpictures.net/en/view-image.php?image=139332&picture=stick-family)
It’s one thing to terminate an employee for complaining that she is being sexually harassed at work. But, when you (allegedly) fire her son and fiancé too without justification, that’s stone cold!
Not that Stone Cold.
But, according to the EEOC, it’s pretty darn bad. Bah Gawd! Continue reading
Bookmark This: Starbucks and a lesson on leadership and accountability
Screenshot taken from https://news.starbucks.com/views/a-follow-up-message-from-starbucks-ceo-in-philadelphia
Starbucks was riding a pretty good HR streak in 2018. Among other things, the coffee giant had attained 100% gender and racial equality and announced investments in paid leave. Yep, things were lookin’ really good for Starbucks.
Then, last week, things got really bad. Continue reading