The Employer Handbook Blog

Court says employee’s Facebook page on race stereotypes is fair game at trial

July 18, 2016 | by Eric B. Meyer

Many times — most recently last Friday — I’ve discussed instances in which the 24/7 world of social media has cost individuals their jobs.

But, here’s a little twist. Earlier this month, a Pennsylvania federal court ruled here that a plaintiff’s Facebook page called “Yo know yo ass is from the da hood,” could be used by a defendant-employer to impeach an African-American employee’s claims of race discrimination and retaliation at work.

How ironic that when I finally achieve “social media expert” status, my daughter is the viral hit.

July 15, 2016 | by Eric B. Meyer

And then, before my 15 ~~minutes~~ seconds were up (fast forward to 1:00), my youngest daughter blew up my spot.

Here are the 3 biggest workplace compliance concerns for the next year? No. 2 will SHOCK you!

July 14, 2016 | by Eric B. Meyer

No it won’t. But, I do like click-bait.

A jury will hear the ADA claim of a diabetic cashier, fired for drinking life-saving juice from a store refrigerator

July 13, 2016 | by Eric B. Meyer

I imagine that this juice won’t be worth the squeeze.

A grown man’s Facebook rant about ‘Pokémon Go’ led to his firing

July 12, 2016 | by Eric B. Meyer

Are playing Pokémon Go on your smartphone yet? Of course not, you’re a Human Resource Professional, or in-house counsel, or employment lawyer in private practice.

Me neither.

A new House bill would expand FMLA coverage to very small businesses

July 11, 2016 | by Eric B. Meyer

How small? Well, the Family and Medical Leave Enhancement Act of 2016 would amend the Family and Medical Leave Act to cover employees at worksites that employ 15 or more employees. (Currently, the magic number is 50).

But wait, there’s more.

“We are looking to add a few young professionals” and an age-bias lawsuit, apparently.

July 8, 2016 | by Eric B. Meyer

From a reader who wishes to be identified as “ever faithful blog lover”:

A while ago you mentioned ads with “digital native” as being a cover for trying to recruit “young” folks and being an ADEA violation… so what do you think of an ad that says (twice) “Young professionals” wanted? LOL That’s not even a cover! See attached…

Your FMLA notices may be defective if…

July 7, 2016 | by Eric B. Meyer

…they’re written in broken Ukrainian and sealed with a pink kiss. But, that’s another post for another day. Like tomorrow.

This, right here, is the LGBT-discrimination case for employers to watch

July 6, 2016 | by Eric B. Meyer

According to Chris Geidner at Buzzfeed.com (here), 128 members of Congress filed a brief in Christiansen v. Omnicom Group, Inc., urging the Second Circuit Court of Appeals to conclude the discrimination based on sexual orientation is sex discrimination and, therefore, violates Title VII.

So, yes, you should pay attention.

Quietly, the DOL jacks up penalties for willful overtime and minimum wage violations.

July 5, 2016 | by Eric B. Meyer

How was your Fourth of July weekend?

Did you knock your 5-year-old off of her scooter in the middle of Main Street to the shocked and judging, “Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhs….” of spectators on both sides of the street with smartphones up capturing all of the parade action for posterity?

***checks YouTube again***

Well, neither did I.