Tag: discrimination

Utah passes historic legislation against sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination

By Utah Employment Law Letter Mar 13, 2015 HR Management & Compliance

Updated: Mar 13, 2015

by Ryan B. Frazier On March 12, Utah Governor Gary Herbert signed into law newly enacted legislation aimed at preventing employment and housing discrimination against gays, lesbians, and transgender individuals. The monumental legislation amends the state’s antidiscrimination law to prohibit employers statewide from making employment decisions based on an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity. […]

New California law on immigrant discrimination takes effect January 1

By California Employment Law Letter Dec 11, 2014 HR Management & Compliance

Updated: Dec 11, 2014

by Alka Ramchandani A new California law taking effect January 1 clarifies a previous law prohibiting immigrant-related discrimination. Last year, a law creating California Labor Code Section 1019 was enacted. That law makes it unlawful for an employer or any other person to engage in—or direct another person to engage in—any “unfair immigration-related practice” against […]

EEOC Roundup: Week Ending Nov. 28, 2014

By Kyra Berkheiser Nov 28, 2014 HR Management & Compliance

Updated: Nov 28, 2014

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has settled four cases and filed yet another pregnancy discrimination case. A sheet metal contractor will pay $215,000 to settle a gender discrimination suit, an environmental remediation services contractor settled a class race and gender discrimination suit for $415,000 and a grocery wholesaler and manufacturer agreed to pay $735,000 […]

Did I say that?

By Matt Gilley, FordHarrison Oct 13, 2014 EntertainHR

Updated: Jan 7, 2018

Satya Nadella’s job was tough enough from the start. He followed Microsoft lifer Steve Ballmer and founder Bill Gates into the CEO role at a time when the company is looking to keep its businesses rolling in the face of a changing industry, slower PC sales, and serious pressure on its bread-and-butter Windows and Office […]

Conciliate First, Court Tells EEOC as it Tosses out Lawsuit

By Kathryn McGovern Oct 9, 2014 HR Management & Compliance

Updated: Oct 9, 2014

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission may not sue an employer unless it has engaged in pre-litigation conciliation — even for pattern or practice claims — a federal district court has held. The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois Oct. 7 dismissed an EEOC suit alleging that CVS Pharmacy’s separation agreement violated […]

NY Mets Brass Charged with Pregnancy Discrimination

By Daniel Cafaro Sep 30, 2014 HR Management & Compliance

Updated: Sep 30, 2014

A former New York Mets executive has filed a federal lawsuit against the baseball franchise alleging violations of the Family and Medical Leave Act and the New York State Human Rights Law, claiming that she was harassed and ultimately dismissed for being pregnant. The complaint, filed by Leigh Castergine in the U.S. District Court for […]

A blooper of historic proportions

By Kristin Starnes Gray, FordHarrison Sep 22, 2014 EntertainHR

Updated: Jan 7, 2018

Downton Abbey recently made headlines with what some are calling “the water bottle seen around the world.” In an uncropped version of a publicity photo, Lord Grantham and Lady Edith are seen standing in front of a stately mantel upon which a bottled water is perched looking hilariously out of place. Turning an amusing blooper into […]

EEOC Lawsuit Says Employer Violated GINA by Requesting Too Much Medical Info

By Kathryn McGovern Sep 18, 2014 HR Management & Compliance

Updated: Sep 18, 2014

An employer violated the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act when it asked applicants and employees for information about their medical history, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission alleged in a lawsuit filed Sept. 17. BNV Home Care Agency, Inc., a New York City home care services agency, required applicants to complete an “Employee Health Assessment” after […]

Suit Seeking Plan Docs in Spanish Dismissed for Lack of Harm

By Jane Meacham, Contributing Editor Sep 11, 2014 Benefits and Compensation

Updated: Sep 11, 2014

A federal district court judge on Aug. 12 dismissed a suit by current and former employees of a Maryland construction company who alleged that the company failed to comply with ERISA disclosure requirements and to provide retirement plan documents upon request because the Spanish-speaking plaintiffs couldn’t understand the English documents. ERISA requires that plan sponsors […]

Maryland transgender rights law takes effect October 1

By Maryland Employment Law Letter Sep 9, 2014 HR Management & Compliance

Updated: Sep 9, 2014

by Kevin C. McCormick Maryland’s new law prohibiting discrimination against transgender individuals in areas of employment, housing, credit, and public accommodations goes into effect October 1. The Fairness for All Marylanders Act passed the legislature in March and was signed by Governor Martin O’Malley in May. It adds “gender identity” to Maryland’s existing laws that […]