Tag Archives: sexual harassment

  Editorial Director Betsy Kim provides a video Newsbreak, focusing on employment rights.  A Nashville, Tennessee, T-Mobile call center employee experiencing a difficult pregnancy, frequently needed to use the bathroom. She had to provide a doctor’s note, clock out and use vacation time for her restroom breaks. T-mobile fired the employee shortly after her return from maternity leave, for a 12-cent error. Astonishingly, she never filed a lawsuit. Only eight states require employee rest periods. There’s no legal requirement for …

Federal law clearly prohibits employers from discriminating against workers based on sex, race, age, and disability, but did you know employers are basically free to discriminate against you based on your sexual orientation? President Barack Obama is being asked to change that, but any large-scale extension of federal law to include gay workers as a protected class is not likely anytime soon.   Federal Action? The executive order Obama is being asked to sign would prohibit discrimination by federal contractors …

Getting Paid in the Wake of a Disaster Hurricane Sandy not only damaged the lives of many people in the Northeast, it also wreaked havoc with their jobs. Countless workers found themselves without a paycheck. When natural disaster strikes, is your employer still obligated to pay your salary? Find Out More…   Federal Court Tosses Michigan Affirmative Action Ban A federal court in November threw out Michigan’s ban on affirmative action in college admissions. It’s the latest volley in the …

The holidays are prime time for parties – office parties included. Before you don your holiday sweater and reach for that second bourbon-egg nog, consider some common situations that present legal pitfalls that could land your employer  – or you – in trouble.   Don’t Expect a Free Ride What if you drink too much and just need a ride home? Is your employer obligated to pay for transportation? Your employer is really only responsible for keeping you safe while …

The Supreme Court on Nov. 26 heard arguments in a case that could redefine who is considered a supervisor in the workplace for legal purposes. The ruling could have far-reaching effects, because the broader the definition of supervisor, the easier it is for employees to bring discrimination cases against their employer. In Vance v. Ball State University, justices will decide whether the university is responsible for alleged racial harassment experienced by a catering employee. Maetta Vance was the only black …