Author: Federal Employment Law Insider

DOJ and EEOC release ‘Advancing Diversity in Law Enforcement’ report

by Sean D. Lee On October 5, 2016, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) released a joint report aimed at helping law enforcement agencies across the country recruit, hire, and retain diverse workforces.  The comprehensive report, “Advancing Diversity in Law Enforcement,” presents the findings of a joint research […]

EEOC Richmond office, Mexican Consulate tackle national origin bias

by Jayna Genti As part of its multiyear Strategic Enforcement Plan, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has made protecting immigrant, migrant, and other vulnerable workers a national priority. Because it has found that “many of these workers are unable or afraid to assert their rights under federal law,” the EEOC has instituted outreach and […]

Onionheads everywhere rejoice as NY federal court protects their ‘religion’ under Title VII

by Brent E. Siler The title of this article isn’t a typo or a joke. It’s a literal statement of holding in a recent federal case before the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, which found that an employer’s conflict-resolution program, which its creator dubbed “Onionhead” or “Harnessing Happiness,” was in […]

DOL takes another beating: Court blocks persuader rule

A federal district court has permanently blocked a U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) regulation that would have created new requirements for employers looking to keep unions out of their workplaces. On November 16, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas granted summary judgment (dismissal without a trial) in favor of business groups […]

Keep these do’s and don’ts in mind when reviewing handbooks

The company handbook: It sounds so routine, like something that’s been around forever and just needs a quick and easy update every year or so, a task that a seasoned human resources professional can handle with ease. But considering the rapidly changing legal landscape and the ever-growing number of ways for employers to find themselves […]

Judge to NLRB: time to stop protecting racist, sexist conduct

by Bart N. Sisk A federal judge recently called out the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) for its history of taking a “cavalier and enabling” approach toward the “sexually and racially demeaning misconduct of some employees during strikes.” Let’s take a closer look at the case.  Judge appalled that NLRB gives ‘refuge’ to intolerable conduct […]

Improving Actual Communication with Virtual Teams

As a manager, communicating with your team is a top priority and yesterday we reviewed simple tactics for ensuring your staff is well informed. But what happens when you’re supervising virtual team members? Maintaining great relationships with these people takes a little extra – and different – effort.

Active listening allows you to hear what is being said

by Dan Oswald When I was in elementary school, it wasn’t unusual for my report card to come home with a note from the teacher at the bottom that read something like, “Danny is well-behaved, but he must learn not to talk so much in class.” I somehow escaped the “Danny” moniker by middle school, […]

Communicating with Your Team is Priority One

As a manager, you receive considerable information about what is happening at your company and use that information to get your job done. But what about your staff? Do they have the information they need to be successful at their jobs?

Discharged employees must prove lack of comparable jobs

by Keri Bennett Where an employee has been dismissed from a job without sufficient notice, he or she may look to his or her former employer for compensation for any losses suffered. However, the employee has a corresponding duty to try to limit any such losses by looking for comparable employment. A failure to act […]