Is Your Dress Code Discriminatory?
Employers have many reasons for implementing standards that regulate employee appearance. The primary reasons include:
Tag: Harassment
New Connecticut law protects interns from discrimination, harassment
by Ashley Harrison Sakakeeny Employers in Connecticut should update their antidiscrimination and antiharassment policies to cover unpaid interns as a new state law becomes effective October 1. The new law, Public Act 15-56, prohibits discrimination and harassment against interns much like current laws protect employees. It prohibits discrimination based on an intern’s race, color, age, […]
Oil Company Settles EEOC Retaliation Suit for Firing Only Female Roustabout
A Texas oil field construction and services company will pay $30,000 to settle an EEOC retaliation lawsuit after the company fired its only female roustabout, Elma Garza, after she reported being sexually harassed on the job. Garza was hired by the company in January 2012 as a dump truck driver, and spent most of her […]
Tips to Prevent Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
Nearly everyone knows that sexual harassment in the workplace is illegal. But not everyone knows exactly what constitutes sexual harassment, and what employers can do to prevent it. Let’s review the legal definition of sexual harassment, and then take a look at some tips for employers on preventing sexual harassment in the workplace.
Common Employee Complaints About Bad Bosses
When employees are dissatisfied at work, one of their most common complaints is a bad boss. But for employers interested in improving employee morale and workplace culture, the idea of “bad” is too general. What makes a bad boss? What exactly are the most common complaints about bad bosses?
EEOC Ruling on Sexual Orientation Discrimination
With the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision making same-sex marriage bans illegal across the country, many people have raised the question of discrimination. It may be legal for same-sex couples to marry, but it’s still also seemingly legal in many areas for businesses to discriminate based on sexual orientation. These two issues are fundamentally incompatible.
‘Trans’ Woman—When Does ‘He’ Become ‘She’?
In yesterday’s Advisor, BLR® Legal Editor Jasmin Rojas, JD, used “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” star “Caitlyn” (formerly Bruce) Jenner’s recent reintroduction of herself as a transwoman as a jumping-off point for a discussion of transgender discrimination. In today’s Advisor, Rojas offers practical tips for employers.
Call Me ‘Caitlyn’—Keeping Up with Gender Identity Compliance
Star athlete and Keeping Up with the Kardashians star formerly known as Bruce Jenner recently introduced herself as a transwoman on the cover of Vanity Fair magazine. BLR® Legal Editor Jasmin Rojas, JD, examines the implications for businesses when it comes to gender identity compliance.
NLRB General Counsel issues guidance on lawful handbook policies
by Lisa Berg Nonunion employers often believe they don’t have to worry about decisions from the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). Well, think again! On March 15, 2015, NLRB General Counsel Richard F. Griffin issued a 30-page memo (Memorandum GC 15-04) that provides guidance on handbook policies the NLRB considers unlawful. The memo focuses on […]
When Is an Employee Protected from Retaliation?
When Is an Employee Protected from Retaliation? Retaliation should never be a motivating factor for employers. While this statement may seem obvious, it’s all too easy for emotions and frustrations to cloud employers’ (and individual supervisors’ and managers’) judgment when something goes awry at the workplace. Unfortunately, it’s also easy to inadvertently appear to act […]