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Discrimination / Harassment

EEOC issues new enforcement guidance on harassment

02/09/2017
The EEOC has issued proposed guidance on how it plans to enforce anti-harassment provisions of several federal laws.

Isolated ‘leering’ doesn’t amount to harassment

02/09/2017
Absent other evidence of sex discrimination, such as unequal pay or disparate treatment, a few comments or looks don’t create a sexually hostile environment.

When harassment is pervasive, chase down the root causes and fix it

02/09/2017
Appealing to workers’ sense of decency will do nothing to prevent harassment lawsuits if that approach doesn’t effectively stop the harassment.

Huntsville, Texas Christian camp sued for bias, ADA violations

02/07/2017
Carolina Creek Christian Camp in Huntsville, Texas faces an EEOC lawsuit alleging it retaliated against an employee for asserting her rights.

Go ahead and fix flawed system–that’s not an admission of discrimination

02/07/2017
Employers should improve their hiring and promotion systems if they discover problems that can be fixed. Doing so after an employee has filed a discrimination complaint isn’t tantamount to admitting guilt.

5th Circuit: ADEA doesn’t allow damages for pain and suffering

02/07/2017
The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals has concluded that employees cannot obtain “pain and suffering” awards from employers that violate the Age Discrimination in Employment Act.

Badgering older employee to retire backfires

02/07/2017
Constant badgering about retirement can backfire badly, especially if a supervisor also makes potentially ageist comments about the employee’s appearance, work habits or other characteristics.

Snapshot: EEOC charges of religious bias, 2006 – 2016

02/07/2017
Complaints of religious discrimination filed with the EEOC have increased by 50% since 2006 and 80% since 2001.

Flu shot: Erie hospital pays to settle religious bias suit

02/01/2017
St. Vincent’s Health Center in Erie has agreed to settle charges it failed to provide a religious accommodation for six employees who refused to take influenza vaccines for religious reasons.

Misogyny alone may not support distress lawsuit

02/01/2017
Pennsylvania courts are willing to let workers recover damages resulting from intentional infliction of emotional distress. However, the conduct must be “extreme and outrageous.”