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Many managers are justifiably concerned about the possibility of being on the hook personally for damages when an employee sues for discrimination or harassment. In recent years, several courts have said that managers can be held responsible if they sexually harass someone, but not for acts of race, sex or disability bias.
An employee is physically un-comfortable working at your office because of a disability. He asks to be allowed to telecommute at least one day a week. Do you have to agree to this arrangement? A recent court ruling says the answer may be yes. In what could be the first case in which a worker […]
When the Americans with Disabilities Act was passed in 1992, the initial questions focused on how to reasonably accommodate disabled workers. But there is another sticky problem that has been surfacing more recently: just who is entitled to ADA protection? You might be surprised to discover that the answer is broader than you think. Even […]
A worker is easily distracted and has trouble concentrating on what he’s doing. A supervisor is hostile and rude to co-workers. Another employee can’t seem to get to work on time and frequently appears groggy and withdrawn. You may think you have clear grounds for discipline or termination in situations such as these, but be […]
Your obligation to accommodate disabled workers may be much broader than you think. According to a new California Court of Appeal ruling, if one of your employees becomes disabled and can’t perform their job, you must suggest possible reasonable accommodations-even if the employee doesn’t ask for your assistance. What’s more, you might be required to […]
You notice a strange odor as you walk by an employee standing on the street in the smokers’ area outside the entrance to your building. Then you realize the person is smoking marijuana. You may think you have clear grounds for discipline, termination or even calling the police. But taking action against the worker could […]