Employment Law Case Summaries

A federal appeals court in Michigan affirmed summary judgment for an employer where an employee claimed a hostile work environment based on alleged harassment by a client. The employee, a sales representative, reported an incident where a motel manager locked…

A federal appeals court ruled in favor of a correctional officer who sued his employer for violating the Americans with Disabilities Act by requiring a medical examination and inquiry unrelated to disability. Despite multiple workplace conflicts, the officer was placed…

A federal appeals court ruled that a former employee’s FMLA interference and retaliation claims against a public university could move forward despite the university’s claim of sovereign immunity. The employee took FMLA leave to care for her daughter after a…

A federal appeals court revived a Title VII lawsuit involving a certified nursing assistant who alleged sexual harassment at a skilled nursing facility. The employee reported repeated sexual misconduct by a male co-worker, including groping and derogatory comments, but the…

A Pennsylvania federal district court ruled that an employer lawfully terminated an employee suspected of misusing FMLA leave related to his wife’s IVF treatments. The employee’s FMLA medical certification listed multiple reasons for leave, including injections, but the employer’s designation…

A federal appeals court revived an FMLA interference lawsuit filed by a restaurant manager who was terminated after missing work due to a diabetes-related medical emergency. The employee provided a doctor’s note and told her supervisor she needed sick leave…

An employer lawfully terminated a white professor who alleged his employer created a hostile work environment through anti-racism training. The employee claimed the university discriminated and harassed him based on race, pointing to a dozen incidents, including statements by administrators…

A federal district court in Texas vacated portions of the EEOC’s workplace harassment guidance that required employers to accommodate transgender employees’ bathroom access, pronoun usage, and dress preferences. The court found that the EEOC’s interpretation of Title VII exceeded the…

A New Jersey Supreme Court ruling clarified that commissions are always considered wages under the state’s Wage Payment Law, reviving a sales employee’s claim for unpaid commissions related to personal protective equipment (PPE) sales. The employee transitioned to a sales…

An employee in a high-risk position experienced unpredictable seizures that impaired his situational awareness while working with dangerous electrical equipment. After safety concerns were raised, the employer placed him on FMLA leave. The employee’s doctor imposed medical restrictions that limited…

An Ohio state appeals court upheld a jury verdict in favor of a senior accountant who alleged she was terminated due to age discrimination. The employee had strong performance reviews and was never disciplined. After training a younger hire, her…

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a lawsuit alleging gender discrimination, age discrimination, and retaliation. The employee claimed her new supervisor maintained a hostile work environment by imposing excessive demands, refusing to approve…

An employee in a physician billing department demonstrated inconsistent job performance and received several corrective actions over four years for not meeting productivity targets. A performance improvement plan (PIP) was issued, which was later modified to require mandatory counseling through…

A federal appeals court affirmed the termination of a deputy warden after he posted offensive memes disparaging Muslims, Black people, liberals, and the LGBTQ community on his private social media. The court acknowledged that public employees have some First Amendment…

The Sixth Circuit revived a lawsuit filed by a long-time employee who alleged retaliation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) after she helped a co-worker challenge the removal of an ADA accommodation. The co-worker’s supervisor revoked the accommodation, pressured…

A federal district court denied partial summary judgment to an employee who sought an ADA accommodation to wear flat shoes instead of the required heels under a workplace dress code. The court acknowledged that employers can enforce dress codes for…

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the ADA’s protections do not extend to retirees challenging post-employment benefit changes. The Court held that the ADA covers only individuals who are currently qualified for a job they hold or seek, excluding retirees…

The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the district court’s grant of summary judgment for the employer on claims of racial discrimination, retaliation, and a hostile work environment under state law. The employees alleged racially hostile conduct, including a false…

A federal appeals court revived a lawsuit filed by a correctional officer who alleged she was subjected to a hostile work environment and retaliation based on sex under Title VII and state law. The officer claimed she was the subject…

The Supreme Court ruled that a federal civilian employee who was also a military reservist was entitled to differential pay while on active duty during a national emergency. The court rejected the government’s narrow interpretation requiring a substantive connection between…