Portland, Oregon, couriers pay $3M for misclassification

The consent judgment also requires the employers to obtain a third-party audit of their employment practices within six months.

By Lisa Burden • Dec. 4, 2018

Manager's comments about employee's 'supposed injury' keep retaliation claim alive

The employee, fired two weeks after filing a workers' compensation claim, may have been "set up to fail," the 5th Circuit said.

By Lisa Burden • Dec. 3, 2018

4th Cir.: Title VII doesn't override state law that prohibits snooping in personnel files

The ruling is a reminder to employers that Title VII's participation clause has its limits, according to one attorney.

By Lisa Burden • Nov. 30, 2018

Massage therapy students not FLSA employees, court says

DOL relaxed its rules for unpaid interns earlier this year, and many organizations will be confident they can meet that test, according to one expert.

By Lisa Burden • Nov. 29, 2018

Court OKs employee's suit alleging HR promised FMLA leave

It would be unfair to allow an employer to force an employee to begin medical leave, assure her that her job would be waiting for her and then fire her, the court said.

By Lisa Burden • Nov. 29, 2018

One-third of tech workers think their companies offer severances to accused sexual harassers

Although the Blind survey focused on employees' perception and knowledge, it paints a somewhat dour picture of the industry.

By Valerie Bolden-Barrett • Nov. 28, 2018

Arkansas tire company pays $96K to resolve overtime violations

The Fair Labor Standards Act has always been a tricky law for employers, and financial repercussions for violations accumulate quickly.

By Lisa Burden • Nov. 27, 2018

4 mistakes to avoid at the intersection of FMLA and PTO

While the FMLA is conceptually straightforward, administration can become incredibly complex — especially when you throw other leaves into the mix.

By Jennifer Carsen • Nov. 27, 2018

Back to Basics: The ins and outs of the ADEA

The old adage says "you can't teach an old dog new tricks," but the Age Discrimination in Employment Act looks poorly on such language or excuses.

By Katie Clarey • Nov. 26, 2018

Court: Worker laid off days after FMLA leave ended can pursue claim

A reasonable jury could find that the employee wasn't "restored to an equivalent position" because she was terminated days after she returned to work, the court said.

By Lisa Burden • Nov. 26, 2018

Complaints prompt Google to change disability accommodation policy

Employee Cathy Fitzpatrick first brought up her issues with Google's policy about a year ago, but the company refused to act, she told CNBC.

By Valerie Bolden-Barrett • Nov. 26, 2018

9th Cir: Montana law doesn't prevent employers from banning marijuana

Marijuana legalization doesn't necessarily override employers' drug-free workplace policies, the ruling shows.

By Valerie Bolden-Barrett • Nov. 26, 2018

Home care provider pays $340K for client harassment

Employers can be held liable for failing to stop employee harassment not only by co-workers, but also by clients and vendors.

By Valerie Bolden-Barrett • Nov. 21, 2018

Texas court: Austin's paid sick leave law is unconstitutional

The ruling also may affect an ordinance recently adopted in San Antonio.

By Lisa Burden • Nov. 21, 2018

7th Cir.: Supervisor demoted because of false time cards, not bias

The U.S. Postal Service supervisor sued after he was demoted to a part-time mail carrier position, alleging the move was based on his race, age and sex.

By Lisa Burden • Nov. 20, 2018

Employers paid $505M to resolve EEOC charges in FY2018

EEOC is capping off what may be remembered as a historic year for the commission, if not for the issue of workplace discrimination generally.

By Ryan Golden • Nov. 19, 2018

Whole Foods pays $65K for cashier's absence-related firing

The employer knew the absences were related to the employee's disability, EEOC alleged in a lawsuit, and should have provided an accommodation.

By Lisa Burden • Nov. 19, 2018

Avon workers allege bias against pregnant women, nursing moms

HR must take all complaints seriously, experts say, and conduct good-faith investigations when necessary.

By Valerie Bolden-Barrett • Nov. 19, 2018

Stop WALMART Act takes aim at CEO pay, minimum wage

The act would require large employers to implement a $15 minimum wage, reduce CEO pay and add more PTO for workers in order to continue buying back stock.

By Katie Clarey • Nov. 16, 2018

EEOC: Employer retaliated against race discrimination suit witness

Along with anti-discrimination training, employment law experts recommend zero-tolerance policies that are consistently enforced.

By Valerie Bolden-Barrett • Nov. 16, 2018

Sam's Club hit with timekeeping suit

The suit seeks collective status and proposed a class of "all people who have worked in any Sam's Club store on a full-time hourly basis."

By Lisa Burden • Nov. 15, 2018

Lord & Taylor settles claim it discriminated against customers

The retailer's settlement with Massachusetts' attorney general highlights a common lack of explicit policies that prevent retail employees from treating customers unfairly based on race.

By Daphne Howland • Nov. 15, 2018

How employers can correct course on pay equity

There's a real sense of urgency and momentum around this issue, according to EEOC Commissioner Charlotte Burrows.

By Ryan Golden • Nov. 14, 2018

Should sexual harassment be an OSHA issue?

There shouldn't be an acceptance that for some positions, harassment just "comes with the job," an OSHA official said.

By Kate Tornone • Nov. 14, 2018

Caesar's pays $175K for improper paycheck deductions

Two Indiana casinos operated by the company were found to be deducting the cost of state-required gaming licenses from employees' wages, DOL said.

By Lisa Burden • Nov. 14, 2018