Legal: Page 2

Walmart manager's Sabbath request posed undue hardship, court finds

The court noted that "Title VII does not require employers to deny the shift preferences of some employees in order to favor the religious needs of others."

By Lisa Burden • UPDATED: Feb. 6, 2020 at 12:30 p.m.

Instacart employees unionize in Chicago

Part-time workers at a Mariano's store in Skokie, Illinois, voted for representation from a local United Food and Commercial Workers union chapter.

By Jessica Dumont • Feb. 05, 2020

Trump backs tax credit advance for new parents in lieu of leave mandate

The measure, which Trump touted in his State of the Union address, would allow workers to receive an advance of up to $5,000.

By Ryan Golden • Feb. 05, 2020

Court says it 'need not defer' to DOL opinion letter

The opinion letter program — an employer favorite — allows stakeholders to ask the agency a question.

By Jennifer Carsen • Feb. 05, 2020

New Form I-9 required by May 1

Employers that use outdated I-9 forms risk costly violations, experts say.

By Kate Tornone • Feb. 05, 2020

Owner's 'boorish behavior' wasn't harassment, 11th Cir. finds

EEOC has said that "slights, annoyances, and isolated incidents" generally do not amount to actionable harassment.

By Jennifer Carsen • Feb. 03, 2020

Google earns top ranking for religious inclusion

Fortune 100 companies are overwhelmingly overlooking religious diversity, a new index reports.

By Valerie Bolden-Barrett • Feb. 03, 2020

11th Cir.: Account exec fired for insubordination, not age

An employer may have a strong defense when it can show a legitimate, documented reason for an adverse action.

By Lisa Burden • Jan. 31, 2020

Nurse staffing firm to pay $3.2M to settle overtime claims

The workers claimed the staffing company used an incorrect "regular rate" to calculate overtime pay.

By Jennifer Carsen • Jan. 31, 2020

Staffing firms can sue employers for race bias, 5th Cir. says

A kitchen staffing company looking to work with a Dallas hospital was allegedly told that the hospital chef only wanted to work with Hispanic workers. 

By Jennifer Carsen • Jan. 30, 2020

Don't 'play the pity card': Grocer pays $2.8M to settle pregnancy accommodation claims

The store allegedly refused to accommodate pregnant workers, despite offering light duty to those similarly situated, the class action suit said.

By Lisa Burden • Jan. 30, 2020

Discrimination, sexual harassment complaints are down, EEOC reports

The trend may be the result of a high demand for labor, experts have said.

By Lisa Burden • Jan. 29, 2020

Chipotle to pay more than $1M, settle Massachusetts child labor violations

The news comes just months after competitor Qdoba faced child labor law violations in the same state.

By Ryan Golden • Jan. 28, 2020

PNC pays $2.75M to settle unpaid time suit

Customer service reps claimed PNC failed to accurately track their hours worked and required them to work off-the-clock overtime.

By Jennifer Carsen • Jan. 28, 2020

New Jersey becomes 1st state to require severance for mass layoffs

The law also requires increased notice time for certain plant closures, transfers and layoffs.

By Jennifer Carsen • Jan. 27, 2020

Florida state employees claim gender-affirming care denials violated Title VII

The suit comes at an uncertain moment for federal LGBTQ workplace discrimination protections.

By Ryan Golden • Jan. 24, 2020

Transgender employee fired for 'bad attitude' can advance discrimination claim

While the extent of Title VII's protections for gender identity is still unclear, experts say employers should strive to create a culture of inclusivity.

By Jennifer Carsen • Jan. 24, 2020

Code inspector described as 'danger to the public' loses race bias appeal

Employers have a right to make personnel decisions, but uneven discipline can serve as evidence of discrimination or retaliation in lawsuits.

By Lisa Burden • Jan. 24, 2020

Court OKs transfer as religious accommodation for worker who refused vaccine

Federal law does not require an employer to provide an employee's preferred accommodation, the 5th Circuit said.

By Lisa Burden • Jan. 23, 2020

Firefighters paid above FLSA requirements were not underpaid overtime, 9th Cir. says

Generally, non-exempt employees must receive overtime pay for hours worked beyond 40 in a workweek.

By Jennifer Carsen • Jan. 23, 2020

11 California employment law changes for 2020

Employers in the state may need to brush up on recent changes and prepare for those still to come.

By Aman Kidwai • Jan. 23, 2020

Data security and marijuana laws are causing HR pros the most worry in 2020

Compensation, scheduling, leaves and employee handbooks are also areas of concern from a compliance perspective, an XpertHR survey found.

By Jennifer Carsen • Jan. 22, 2020

8th Cir.: Prof fired not for disability bias but for illicit relationship with student

Employers that act appropriately and quickly in responding to harassment complaints tend to fare well in court, experts say.

By Lisa Burden • Jan. 22, 2020

Account exec was let go because of low sales, not age or gender bias, court says

The court noted that the ADEA "does not require [an employer's] business decisions be wise, just nondiscriminatory."

By Lisa Burden • Jan. 21, 2020

Supreme Court to review Trump admin's ACA contraceptive opt-out

A ruling by the High Court could offer clarity on an ACA component that has been the subject of regulatory activity and litigation for years.

By Ryan Golden • Jan. 21, 2020