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Discrimination / Harassment

‘Mark of the Beast’ case settled for $600,000

07/17/2017
Consol Energy, headquartered in Pittsburgh, will pay a former employee $586,861 after the 4th Circuit affirmed a lower court’s ruling that he was forced to retire early when it refused to accommodate his religious beliefs.

Prepare to justify discipline occurring after employee complains about discrimination

07/13/2017
Simply put, a bad review all by itself isn’t usually grounds for a lawsuit in most cases. However, punishing someone with a bad review because they complained about discrimination may land you in legal trouble.

Texas Supreme Court greenlights Bev Kearney’s lawsuit

07/13/2017
The Texas Supreme Court has ruled that a long-simmering sex and racial discrimination lawsuit filed by former University of Texas women’s track and field coach Bev Kearney can proceed.

Supreme Court to hear religious freedom case

07/13/2017
A Colorado baker who was sued for refusing to bake a cake for a same-sex wedding will get to argue his case before the U.S. Supreme Court. The court agreed to hear Masterpiece Cakeshop, Ltd. v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission in the term that begins this fall.

EEOC sues Texas union for race discrimination

07/12/2017
The EEOC has sued a Texas school employees’ union, claiming it violated federal law when it fired two black organizers because of their race.

Huntsville, Texas camp settles pregnancy bias, ADA suit

07/12/2017
Carolina Creek Christian Camp in Huntsville has agreed to pay $70,000 to settle a pregnancy and disability discrimination lawsuit filed by the EEOC on behalf of a former employee.

Several great candidates is a good problem!

07/12/2017
Bad news: A qualified applicant you rejected may be disappointed enough to sue. Good news: Courts aren’t going to second-guess your choice among great candidates unless it is abundantly clear that you rejected someone based on discriminatory intent.

OK to discipline even after worker complains

07/12/2017
Some employees may not realize it, but filing an internal discrimination or harassment complaint doesn’t create immunity to legitimate, unrelated discipline.

Discipline ASAP if boss targets older workers

07/12/2017
It happens all too often: A bully boss yells, berates, pushes and prods older employees more than other staff members. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has concluded that resigning under such circumstances is a reasonable response and amounts to a constructive discharge.

Cost of misguided English-only rule: $50,000

07/06/2017
Most “English-only” policies violate Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. They are not strictly unlawful, but courts and the EEOC have regularly ruled that employers must be able to demonstrate a legitimate business reason for having such a policy.