Tag: diversity

Don’t let appearance policy trigger religious discrimination claims

Achieving a diverse workforce is a highly touted goal among employers. It’s a goal that drives recruiting as well as efforts to build company culture. But the details – the various policies and rules employers may adopt without considering risks—can be easy to overlook. One area not to be forgotten: dress codes and other appearance […]

How do ‘bathroom bills’ affect employers in other states?

by Joseph Godwin Much attention has been given recently to laws passed concerning transgender individuals’ use of public restrooms. Over the past few years, state legislatures have passed or proposed “bathroom bills” that generally require individuals to use the bathroom that corresponds to the gender listed on their birth certificate and prevent transgender individuals from […]

The digital natives are restless

by Mark I. Schickman Age discrimination threatens to be the most prevalent employment claim of the next decade. Baby Boomers are being forced out of the workplace in droves, while Millennials are reaching 40, the bottom rung of the protected class. Expect lawsuits from Millennials as they are squeezed between Baby Boomers reluctant to vacate […]

Fair Chance Business Pledge offers new way to evaluate applicants with criminal records

by Kaitlin L.H. Robidoux The White House is urging businesses to take the Fair Chance Business Pledge and commit to providing individuals with criminal records “a fair chance to participate in the American economy.” The idea behind the initiative is that individuals with a criminal history have trouble finding employment, and many communities are hurt […]

Identifying accommodations for employee who can’t use the stairs

by Michael J. Spooner Q What is considered a reasonable accommodation for an employee who can’t take the stairs during emergencies or because of maintenance issues with the elevator?  A While the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) doesn’t provide guidance regarding reasonable accommodations for an employee who is unable to use the stairs during an […]

Not your stereotypical sexual harasser: encountering sex-based misconduct at work

by Stefanie M. Renaud With the announcement of Gretchen Carlson’s (and, subsequently, several other female employees’) complaints about Fox News head Roger Ailes and his ensuing resignation, sexual harassment has recently been in the news. Although Ailes’ conduct somehow slipped under Fox’s radar, most other employers know that employee complaints about sexual harassment are a […]

October Is National Disability Employment Awareness Month

Did you know that October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)? It was originally declared by Congress back in 1945; at that time, it was a week titled “National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week.” The name and duration have evolved since then, settling on National Disability Employment Awareness Month in 1988.

The ROI of Diversity Initiatives: The Challenges of Metrics

 By Dr. Edward E. Hubbard There’s a fair amount of buzz around diversity measurement and analytics. Advances in software, newly-available data sources, and how-to manuals have made it easier gain access to diversity measures. Although interest in measuring the effects of diversity has been growing, the topic still challenges even the most sophisticated and progressive […]

New EEOC guidance should remind employers to guard against retaliation

No employer trying to build diversity in its workforce is likely to get very far if its culture tolerates discrimination, harassment, and retaliation against employees based on race, gender, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law. Not only does such a culture work against recruitment and retention of diverse talent, it also invites […]

Employees’ food allergies are nothing to sneeze at!

by Stefanie M. Renaud Navigating the ins and outs of your obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and similar state laws can be a challenge for even the most seasoned HR professional. One situation that may be familiar to you is having an employee with food allergies. According to the Asthma and Allergy […]