Tag: Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

Dealing with hidden disability: Navigating protections for workers with addictions

Employers generally understand their obligations related to legal protections for people with disabilities. But not all disabilities are obvious, sometimes not even to those afflicted. Such may be the case when employees suffer from addiction to prescription drugs—a problem that’s been in the spotlight lately. And with good reason: The costs employers face related to […]

EEOC maintains steady position on transgender employees’ rights

by JW Furman With all the attention given to President Donald Trump’s recent removal of the Obama administration’s protection for transgender bathroom access, it’s important to remember that the action applies only to public school students. For employers, the issue remains as unsettled as ever.  There’s no reason to believe that the Equal Employment Opportunity […]

Questions and answers on accommodating employees with mental disabilities

by Jonathan R. Mook The following article answers some common questions about the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) recently promulgated guidance on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and mental health conditions. Q Why should employers review the EEOC’s mental health guidance?  A If they haven’t already dealt with the issue, many employers will be […]

EEOC provides guidance on mental health conditions in the workplace

by Howard Fetner The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently issued a resource document explaining the rights of job applicants and employees with mental health conditions. The document explains that applicants and employees with mental health issues are protected from discrimination and harassment based on their conditions, may be entitled to reasonable accommodations, and have […]

What will Trump’s EEOC look like?

by JW Furman During my years with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), I saw several changes in presidential administrations and power shifts between the major parties in Congress. Following major political upheavals, changes in the priorities of those agencies and even in the day-to-day tasks of their […]

May we fire employee who doesn’t fit in?

by Robert P. Tinnin, Jr. Q I own a small software development company that has been phenomenally successful in the few short years we have been in business. I attribute our success in large measure to our employees, who are very tight-knit and cohesive. Nine of our 10 current employees are Anglo males between 35 […]

EEOC issues new guidelines on national origin discrimination

by Saul Glazer With the increase in terrorism and attention given to immigration- related complaints, there is commensurate potential for workplace conflict and harassment related to national origin. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently issued new guidelines to help employers prevent national origin discrimination in the workplace. This article discusses national origin discrimination and […]

Are rules for same-sex marriage about to change in Texas?

by Jacob M. Monty The Texas Supreme Court recently announced that it will review a case arguing that Texas employers shouldn’t be required to spend taxpayer funds to provide benefits to employee spouses in same-sex marriages, even if they do offer benefits to employee spouses in opposite-sex marriages. Depending on the outcome of the case, […]

Walking the workplace proselytizing tightrope

by David L. Johnson “Have a blessed day.” “I’m praying for you.” “Are you a believer?” “Would you be interested in attending church with me?” Comments and questions like those may be common in your workplace. On the one hand, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 bars employers from discriminating against employees […]

U.S. Supreme Court to consider transgender restroom lawsuit

by Ryan B. Frazier During the 1990s, Saturday Night Live, a popular TV sketch comedy show, featured a recurring gender-ambiguous character, Pat. The gag in Pat’s comedy sketches often involved others’ failed attempts to determine the seemingly androgynous character’s gender. The skits played off the then-prevailing view that a person’s gender falls into one of […]