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Discrimination / Harassment

Be prepared to prove reorg or cost cutting as layoff reasons

05/28/2008

Gone are the days when employers didn’t have to justify reorganizations or layoffs. Now—given the prevalence of electronic communications—you can expect a court to ask you to produce just about every piece of information used to determine who lost their jobs and who kept them …

It’s absolutely essential to treat all employees equally

05/28/2008
A newly released North Carolina Court of Appeals opinion makes it clear that employers have to make absolutely sure they are treating all similarly situated employees alike …

Warn supervisors: No angry responses to employee complaints

05/28/2008
One of the best ways to sink a discrimination defense is to come off as defensive, angry and vengeful. That’s why you need to train all supervisors and managers on how to initially handle discrimination complaints. Tell them that no matter how outrageous the complaint, the only proper response is to explain exactly how the employee should report what happened …

Back up discipline with details from your investigation

05/28/2008
Like any responsible employer, your organization probably has a comprehensive employee handbook that details your internal policies and how you handle disciplinary decisions. But no handbook can cover every possible situation. So it’s not enough for supervisors and managers to simply cite a particular rule violation as the reason for firing or suspending an employee …

Does your organization use volunteers or interns? Know the employment law implications

05/28/2008

This is the time of year when college students start serving summer internships. Often, students offer to work without pay just to get the experience. But does this influx of possible free labor carry hidden risks? Perhaps …

‘Exception’ could let church off hook in race discrimination case

05/28/2008
A magistrate has recommended that a federal judge dismiss a race discrimination lawsuit brought by the Rev. Derrick Gomez against the North Carolina Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America … 

Discrimination claims are up in North Carolina

05/28/2008
North Carolinians filed 15% more discrimination complaints in 2007 than they did in 2006, according to the director of the EEOC’s Charlotte office …

Bash away!

05/28/2008
The North Carolina Office of State Personnel has removed from its web site an online copy of its personnel handbook, which included a ban on anti-gay discrimination …

What does N.C.’s civil rights act provide?

05/28/2008
Q. Does North Carolina have a state civil rights act that applies to private employers? …

Follow These 5 Rules for Documenting HR Decision-Making

05/27/2008
The best way to prevent lawsuits or to get a quick dismissal of unfounded charges is to document every employment decision carefully. Following these five simple rules can convince judges and juries that your HR decision-making is legit, above board and fully in line with the law.