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Workplace Bias: Court Strips Employee of $1 Million Award; No Evidence Reorganization Was Biased Against Older Workers and Women

In the most familiar type of workplace bias lawsuit, the employee charges that the employer had a discriminatory motive. Butin disparate impact cases, the employee claims that an apparently neutral policy or practice of the employer disproportionately hurt employees in a protected class, even though there was no intent to discriminate. A new California appeal […]

Complain About Me? I Don’t Think So

HR managers have a balancing act to perform in preventing retaliation, says Attorney Judith A. Moldover. You’ve got the manager storming around, saying "I’m going to get this person—can I fire him today?" And you’ve also got a complaining employee who is strutting around thinking he or she is bulletproof. Find the balance, Moldover says. […]

Healthcare workers’ longer hours don’t necessarily increase health, safety risks

by Rosalind H. Cooper Most employers know that there are restrictions under employment standards legislation regarding maximum hours of work for their employees. In certain circumstances, it is possible to exceed these daily or weekly maximums. However, care must be exercised when doing so in order to avoid a breach of the employer’s duties under […]

Employers in Tax-break Pilot May Offer myRA Accounts by Late 2014

Employers may not feel much of an administrative burden from the new “starter” retirement savings accounts announced Jan. 28 in President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address, but those opting to participate should be prepared for employees’ questions about the My Retirement Account or “myRA” program ahead of its launch late this year. While […]

Thanksgiving: Time to Think about Wellness and Weight Loss?

What’s on your corporate Thanksgiving table? How about a helping of wellness and weight-loss programs? The Advisor looks at some that work. Thanksgiving is traditionally a forget-the-diet day for many of your employees. Maybe that makes this week a great time to consider a wellness program that will help them live healthier lives the other […]

News Notes: Cirque Du Soleil Settles HIV Discrimination Charge

The EEOC announced that international entertainment troupe Cirque du Soleil will pay $600,000 to settle a charge that it fired aerial gymnast Matthew Cusick for being HIV-positive, in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The company claimed it believed his condition posed a direct threat to other performers, but the EEOC argued the decision […]

Are You Talking About Me? Si. Do You Mean Yes? No.

Are they talking about me? Do they understand me? Who knows? My workers speak a dozen languages. I’m making a simple rule– speak English at work or else you’re done here. What with changing demographics, retention woes, and increased hiring demands, more and more businesses are concerned about dealing with employees whose native language is […]

DOL’s Agenda Focuses on Safety and Wages

Labor Secretary Hilda L. Solis has announced the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) regulatory agenda for 2010, saying, “Protecting wages and working conditions for workers is key to the mission of our department, and ensuring that workers have a voice on the job is also vital.” The agenda is expected to satisfy many union demands. […]