Race Category Archives — Page 15 of 27 — The Employer Handbook Blog Published by Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Employment Lawyer

Her resignation letter described a “great experience” at work. Then she sued for hostile-environment constructive discharge.

September 18, 2019 | by Eric B. Meyer

Fred the Oyster [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

One of the first hits when you Google ‘resignation letter’ is this career advice from Monster. The job board offers some tips for crafting a letter of resignation, among them: a statement of intent that you will be leaving your job, the date of your last day on the job, and your contact info. One of the optional items Monster suggests including is a highlight of your time there.

Monster’s advice is pretty spot on. Except, that is, when the individual later decides to assert claims of hostile work environment and constructive discharge.

Because, as you’ll find out in this post, nothing undermines those claims like a thoughtful resignation letter. Continue reading

🔥🚒👨‍🚒Firefighter fired for hostile social media posts may have been discriminated against🔥🚒👨‍🚒

July 22, 2019 | by Eric B. Meyer

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Seaman Barry Riley [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

A white South Carolina firefighter posted threats on Facebook that he would run over Black Lives Matters protesters.

The fire department began receiving complaints about these posts. Plus, the posts violated various provisions of the employee handbook. So, the next day, the firefighter was, err, fired. (For more on the initial lawsuit, you can read this story from CBS News.)

Fast forward three years and the firefighter is this close to a federal jury hearing his race discrimination claims. Continue reading

The top five, juiciest, greatest-ever HR compliance posts that I’ve read in the past 24 hours

July 18, 2019 | by Eric B. Meyer

Image by PixLoger from Pixabay

But, first, I have a confession to make. I only read six posts. Continue reading

How long does your employee have to file an EEOC Charge of Discrimination against your business?

July 16, 2019 | by Eric B. Meyer

By: CoD_fsfe, Courtesy: Open Clip Art Library (http://www.publicdomainfiles.com/show_file.php?id=13925176815)

Actually, it depends. 😉 Continue reading

It is SO DARN EASY for one of your employees to pursue a discrimination claim. But, here’s the thing…

July 12, 2019 | by Eric B. Meyer

Photo by Sabine Gausemeier from Pexels

How easy is it? Easier than Sunday morning, which is easier than beating the New York Mets on Sunday afternoon. Continue reading

A stray comment is probably not enough to lose a discrimination lawsuit. But, it can be enough to lose a job.

July 9, 2019 | by Eric B. Meyer

Image by Bokskapet from Pixabay

Just ask a Detroit TV news anchor with 26 years of experience and 15 Michigan Emmys. Continue reading

Three employment law lessons from Harvard University’s decision to revoke the admission of a Parkland shooting survivor

June 18, 2019 | by Eric B. Meyer

Joseph Williams [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Throughout much of the day yesterday, Twitter trended with news that Harvard University had rescinded the college admission of one of Parkland shooting survivors.

For something the school just learned that he did two years ago. Continue reading

What does a $3.3M jury verdict for race discrimination by a strip club look like? I’ll show you.

May 21, 2019 | by Eric B. Meyer

Image Credit: Google Street View

It doesn’t look so good if you are the defendant. Continue reading

Was that a ‘white power’ symbol at the Chicago Cubs game? Still not ok.

May 10, 2019 | by Eric B. Meyer

DougGlanville-1024x462

I’ll be the first to admit that, if I were watching this video in real time, I would have missed it.

Missed what?

A Chicago Cubs fan flashing what the team determined was an ‘offensive hand gesture associated with racism’ on live tv. That fan has since been banned from Wrigley Field, where the Cubs play their home games. Continue reading

When a woman makes offensive comments about being female. A lesson on implicit bias.

May 9, 2019 | by Eric B. Meyer

Image by mohamed Hassan from Pixabay

I live and work about 100 miles northeast of Baltimore, MD.

I don’t have my finger on the pulse of everything that’s going on in the Charm City. However, I do know that the City’s 50th mayor, Catherine Pugh, had a bad run there at the end. She resigned on May 2, which was about a week after the FBI and IRS conducted multiple raids relating to her business affairs. You can read all about it here.

The purpose of today’s post is not to pile onto Ms. Pugh. Instead, I want to focus on another related separation of employment and a lesson for your workplace.