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Discrimination / Harassment

Attorney’s letter? Proceed with plans, but back up decision

06/01/2007

Employees who realize their jobs are in peril sometimes think pulling out the “lawsuit card” will save them. They’ll meet with an attorney, who will try to head you off with a threatened lawsuit. It sometimes succeeds because it casts the potential discharge in a sinister new light—as retaliation for threatening to sue. Here’s how to counter it and still carry through with your planned action …

Train managers to adopt poker face when facing complaint

06/01/2007

To avoid triggering retaliation lawsuits, train managers and supervisors on how to react to a complaint. First and foremost, explain that all complaints should be received professionally and without any apparent display of disappointment or emotion. Remind them: No comment allowed …

Employer statements to NASD can’t be the basis for defamation lawsuits

06/01/2007

Attention: HR pros in financial services firms: If you’ve worried that reporting a terminated employee’s alleged wrongdoing to the National Association of Securities Dealers might leave you open to a defamation lawsuit, relax.  The Court of Appeals of New York has ruled such statements are absolutely privileged …

Resigning for newfound faith doesn’t justify unemployment compensation

06/01/2007

New York employees who quit their jobs for good cause are generally eligible for unemployment compensation payments. But does a newfound faith requiring no Sunday work justify quitting? …

‘Lipstick bandit’ on the loose in NYC welfare office

06/01/2007

In something straight out of “Benny Hill,” a New York City welfare office manager overseeing 21 Human Resources Administration employees terrorized her female staff by chasing them around their desks, planting heavy lipstick smooches on their cheeks …

Discriminatory gap in pension law creates lawsuits

06/01/2007

The Centerport Fire District will pay over $350,000 to settle an EEOC age-discrimination lawsuit filed on behalf of 22 volunteer firefighters who were denied pension credit for service after age 65 …

Riker’s Island sexual harassment case results in $1 million judgment

06/01/2007

A male corrections officer filed a sexual harassment suit against the city of New York for sexual advances made by a female captain at Riker’s Island …

She’s not very nice, but that doesn’t make the workplace hostile

06/01/2007

The U.S. District Court, Southern District, recently ruled that a few comments made by a supervisor to a disabled employee did not rise to the level of a hostile work environment …

HRD investigating discrimination in tax refund loans

06/01/2007

The New York Human Rights Division is investigating whether tax refund anticipation loans are discriminatory …

Ambiguous answers may prompt retaliation charge

06/01/2007

It’s true: If you can’t say anything nice, sometimes it’s best not to say anything at all. It’s especially true if an employee has quit and filed a discrimination lawsuit …