Legal
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Oil field services companies pay $1.2M to settle EEOC race discrimination claims
Experts generally agree that to reduce harassment in the workplace, training is a must — and it must be backed by good policies and a culture of respect.
By Lisa Burden • Nov. 15, 2019 -
Suit: Urban Outfitters worker 'abruptly' terminated after announcing pregnancy plans
The plaintiff's manager allegedly demoted her when she returned from a first maternity leave, stating "your priorities are in other places."
By Jennifer Carsen • Nov. 15, 2019 -
US women's soccer team scores class cert for equal pay suit
This suit highlights the growing pressure on employers to achieve and maintain pay equity.
By Lisa Burden • Nov. 15, 2019 -
Rapid retail hiring may have caused first static US workplace injury rate in years
The problem has become more pronounced due to the high numbers of seasonal and temporary workers employers in the industry took on in 2018, an attorney told HR Dive.
By Ryan Golden • Nov. 15, 2019 -
Class action suit alleges McDonald's manager groped, shoved employee
At the heart of the allegations is McDonald's status as a franchisor, and the consequences that may hold for workers.
By Ryan Golden • Nov. 14, 2019 -
DLA Piper admin alleges she was fired for being old, 'not attractive enough'
The law firm is now facing three such claims, according to news reports.
By Lisa Burden • Nov. 14, 2019 -
5th Cir.: Improvement plan, other slights weren't Title VII adverse actions
The teacher's claims failed because the court said the incidents in question did not affect job duties, compensation or benefits.
By Lisa Burden • Nov. 14, 2019 -
'Smoking gun' evidence gives weight to nurse's disability discrimination claim, 6th Cir. says
The defendant said it fired Paula Babb due to two errors she made, but emails reveal it cited her worsening eyesight as the reason for her termination.
By Jennifer Carsen • Nov. 14, 2019 -
Court vacates religious exemption for healthcare workers
The regulation, set to take effect Nov. 22, would have allowed individuals and entities receiving federal funds to refuse to perform certain services.
By Jennifer Carsen • Nov. 14, 2019 -
Dell prioritizes women, people of color in 10-year culture strategy
The company aims to have black and Hispanic workers make up 15% of its U.S. management team by 2030.
By Valerie Bolden-Barrett • Nov. 14, 2019 -
ColumnResource Actions: How social media challenged HR in 2019
An FMLA fishing trip and an Elmo meme showed how platforms can create unintended workplace consequences.
By Kathryn Moody , Ryan Golden • Nov. 14, 2019 -
Employer's consistent disciplinary actions defeat retaliation claim
A plaintiff alleged she was fired for reporting sexual harassment, but the employer was able to show that she had improperly accessed confidential records.
By Lisa Burden • Nov. 13, 2019 -
Jury sides with Amazon in religious discrimination lawsuit
The plaintiff alleged he was "repeatedly subjected to demeaning comments directed at his national origin, religion, and marital status."
By Jennifer Carsen • Nov. 13, 2019 -
9th Cir.: 'Simple teasing' doesn't amount to discrimination
Additionally, the court said there was no evidence that the employer knew about the mistreatment and failed to take remedial action.
By Jennifer Carsen • Nov. 13, 2019 -
Sales director fired for unprofessional behavior failed to show age bias, 5th Cir. concludes
The plaintiff alleged the employer's failure to follow internal investigtion policies amounted to age discrimination, but the appeals court disagreed.
By Lisa Burden • Nov. 12, 2019 -
JetBlue apologizes after employee dressed up as 'homeless' person for Halloween
Halloween can be fun, but the holiday can create truly terrifying problems for grown-ups at work in the form of bad PR and even lawsuits.
By Jennifer Carsen • Nov. 12, 2019 -
How to get middle managers to commit to D&I — even when they don't want to
HR can make the stakes clear but also should be prepared to design around the unwilling, panelists at an ABA conference told attendees last week.
By Katie Clarey • Nov. 11, 2019 -
EEOC commissioner: It's an 'interesting moment' to talk pay data collection
Despite challenges in collecting the Component 2 data, EEOC considers addressing pay gaps a priority, Commissioner Charlotte A. Burrows told attendees at a conference.
By Katie Clarey • Nov. 11, 2019 -
OFCCP collected record $40M in class settlements for 2019
To prevent pay discrimination and fend off settlements, HR can review organizational compensation policies and conduct regular pay audits.
By Lisa Burden • Nov. 11, 2019 -
Most women say the post-#MeToo workplace is unchanged — or worse
HR and managers can become better equipped to handle misconduct with thorough training.
By Valerie Bolden-Barrett • Nov. 11, 2019 -
Employer's policy banning workers from speaking Spanish results in $2.6M settlement
Rules requiring that employees speak English in the workplace at all times are presumed to violate Title VII, EEOC has said in guidance.
By Lisa Burden • Nov. 08, 2019 -
Weed at work: 5 questions to answer
Conflicting and changing laws leave HR departments with some ambiguity, a speaker told attendees at the American Bar Association's labor and employment law conference.
By Katie Clarey • Nov. 07, 2019 -
Employers paid a record $322M to resolve DOL wage claims in 2019
Overtime errors, worker misclassification and auto-deduct policies are all frequent trouble spots.
By Jennifer Carsen • Nov. 07, 2019 -
Manager fired for abrasive behavior, not cancer leave
The plaintiff allegedly humiliated his subordinates, berated them in front of others and discouraged them from speaking with management.
By Jennifer Carsen • Nov. 07, 2019 -
Owner-operator truck drivers in California plan protests over AB5
The law has gained attention due to the impact on the gig economy, but owner-operator truck drivers could be equally affected.
By Matt Leonard • Nov. 06, 2019
