The Employer Handbook Blog

But, you see judge, it was only “exotic dancer” harassment…

February 27, 2012 | by Eric B. Meyer

I’ve come up with some pretty creative defenses to unlawful harassment. Usually, however, before I file a pleading, I take out my trusty ~~red pen~~ iPad and delete those arguments that are just so outrageous that I feel my client will lose credibility with the court.

But that’s just me.

After the jump, I have a recent federal-court decision in which a Maryland grocery claimed that the [alleged] relentless sexual harassment of a female employee by the store’s male manager wasn’t “sexual harassment” — that would be illegal. Rather, it was “exotic dancer” harassment.

That’s pretty creative, alright.

Oh boy…

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Want to keep your job? Don’t do this if you’re bored at work…

February 24, 2012 | by Eric B. Meyer

Some folks — not you and me, but some folks — can watch porn at work and not get in trouble; they work in the porn industry.

When you’re an employee of the courts — a courtroom clerk, to be precise — it’s frowned upon.

Oh, you’ll never guess what happens next. Well, maybe you can. See how right you are after the jump. Fair warning, however, this is one my less tasteful posts. And that’s saying something…

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Social Media & HR: Policies and Legal Pitfalls in 140 characters

February 23, 2012 | by Eric B. Meyer

What were you doing yesterday between 3 and 4 PM EST?

Me? I was tweeting with the great people at SHRM’s We Know Next and several other Twitter stars, answering questions and otherwise making ~~insightful~~ ~~snarky~~ comments that sniffed insightful but were generally closer to snarky, on the topic of “Social Media and HR – Policies and Legal Pitfalls.”

If you were part of the dialogue, thank you for participating. (And muchas gracias to SHRM for inviting me to be a part of #NextChat). If you couldn’t make it, click through to see what you missed and to get a crash course in Social Media 101 for HR…

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The ADA does not force employers to provide indefinite leave

February 22, 2012 | by Eric B. Meyer

Hey, that blog title looks familiar. Oh yeah! I wrote about it here back in October.

This time around, another federal court, the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals, has reaffirmed that while a “leave of absence may be a reasonable accommodation [under the Americans with Disabilities Act]”, the employee must provide a reasonable estimate of the amount work that will be missed. “Conversely, when the employee seeks leave, but it is uncertain if or when he will be able to return to work, a leave of absence is not a reasonable accommodation.”

Supervisor’s advice to sexually-harassed employee: “Pray…”

February 21, 2012 | by Eric B. Meyer

Worst. advice. ever.

More on this doozy involving two Denny’s waitresses after the jump…

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ESPN disciplines employees for offensive Jeremy Lin statements

February 19, 2012 | by Eric B. Meyer

The Associated Press reports here that ESPN, the Worldwide Leader in Sports, has taken action against three employees for offensive comments made about NY Knicks point guard, Jeremy Lin.

The headline “Chink in the Armor” was used Friday on ESPN’s mobile website after Lin had nine turnovers in New York’s loss to New Orleans.

In a statement Sunday, ESPN apologizes for that headline and also says it is also aware of two other “offensive and inappropriate” comments on ESPN outlets.

On 2/22/12, I’m yours for a SHRM #NextChat on Twitter

February 17, 2012 | by Eric B. Meyer

A little birdie told me that Jason Mraz wrote this song about me and you.

Uh, oh. Meyer’s off his meds again. No folks, allow me to explain.

A recap of yesterday’s EEOC meeting on pregnancy discrimination

February 16, 2012 | by Eric B. Meyer

My loyal readers know that yesterday the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission held a public meeting to discuss pregnancy discrimination and caregiver issues.

Conversely, my disloyal readers can go to hell. No, no, I forgive you. Just send me a check and we’ll call it even.

*** Takes meds ***

*** Flashes Men In Black red light ***

Ah, yes, pregnancy discrimination. Click through for a summary of what happened at yesterday’s EEOC meeting…

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EEOC to meet today to discuss pregnancy discrimination

February 15, 2012 | by Eric B. Meyer

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) will hold a public meeting on the subject of pregnancy discrimination and caregiver issues at 9:30 a.m. today in Washington, DC. If you are in the area, feel free to stop by. The meeting is open to the public.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99j0zLuNhi8

According to this press release, the Commission will examine “recent trends in discrimination against pregnant workers and workers with caregiving responsibilities, examining these two forms of discrimination as a continuum.”

A Valentine’s Day reminder from The Employer Handbook

February 14, 2012 | by Eric B. Meyer

Happy Valentine’s Day! x.o.x.o.

– The Employer Handbook