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Noting that the increasing number of employee retaliation claims in employment discrimination cases calls for the proper interpretation and implementation of statutory language, the U.S. Supreme Court on June 24 issued a 5-4 ruling that will likely make it easier for employers to fend off such claims. In University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center v. […]
The term “supervisor” is not to be taken lightly when determining the scope of employer liability in employment discrimination claims, according to the U.S. Supreme Court. On June 24, the court held in a 5-4 decision that an employee is a “supervisor” under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act only if he or she […]
By Marc Rodrigue Hiring a new employee can be a lengthy process, fraught with complex evaluations of skills, qualifications, and other attributes. The whole process must of course comply with applicable provincial and federal antidiscrimination laws. What people say during the process may provide evidence that a hiring decision is discriminatory. Where multiple people are […]
Human nature being what it is, employers can expect friction within work groups from time to time. Personality clashes and misunderstandings will strike nearly every workplace at some time. Handling that strife often requires a deft touch that rises above human nature. While a supervisor’s natural reaction may be to scold, ignore, and make life […]
More than 20,000 people gathered for the 65th annual SHRM Conference & Exposition in Chicago, Illinois, June 16-19, 2013. BLR asked visitors to our HRHero booth to show their HR pride and tell us why they were an “HR Hero.” Here are what some of the HR professionals had to say about what makes them […]
by Brian R. Garrison Continuing what has been a recent trend, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit has issued another decision against the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). On May 7, the court determined the Board’s proposed rule mandating that employers display posters explaining employee rights under the National Labor […]
By Frederic Parisien Can Canadian employers use information from their employees’ Facebook pages in managing the employment relationship? Not an age-old question, but one debated in recent years. In many provinces, the answer was “yes.” But in other provinces, such as Quebec, some commentators took a more cautious approach. In a recent decision, the appeal […]
Tired of struggling over the hurdles to successful hiring, always combing through applications in search of that impeccably capable candidate? What if it were as simple as checking a website with all the unqualified slackers already vetted out? That perfect site may not exist, but if it’s physical beauty you value as much or more […]
by Chelsea V. Brown As summer heats up, temperatures start to rise, anticipation for family vacations and summer holidays grows, and the spirit of summer can be felt throughout the workplace. As the arrival of summer becomes increasingly evident in cubicles and corner offices, employees can become relaxed about workplace rules and conduct. In some […]
By Keri Bennett When a long-service costume designer was dismissed following a workplace harassment investigation, a British Colombia arbitrator found the company’s no-hire ban for all future productions to be excessive, since there was a lack of progressive discipline. Despite finding that the fired employee had engaged in longstanding and widespread harassment of junior employees, […]