Employee Lawsuits
‘Tis the season: Holiday party leads to wrongful termination lawsuit
Here’s a cautionary tale about what can happen when a holiday party gets out of hand. A former employee has filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against Taco Bell, alleging things got so bad after a wild holiday party that she was forced to quit. Holiday party: A potluck event Alana Bechiom worked as a cashier…
10 Big Employment Law Trends to Watch This Year
A new survey from global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright reveals the top employment law trends to closely monitor this year, according to insight from employers across the U.S. The survey aims to get a handle on what businesses are experiencing and what they think is coming, according to Norton Rose Fulbright employment and labor…
Age bias: Suit accuses big employer of weeding out older workers
A newly filed lawsuit accuses pharmaceutical behemoth Lilly USA, LLC, of violating federal law banning age bias by making a conscious effort to reduce the number of older people it employed as pharmaceutical sales representatives. The suit’s allegations raise important questions for HR pros about when – if ever – it is appropriate to make…
Biden signs new anti-arbitration bill: What it means for employers
It’s official: Employers can no longer require employees alleging sexual misconduct to resolve their claims via arbitration. Last week, President Biden signed the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act of 2021. The new law amends the Federal Arbitration Act, which generally favors arbitration of employment-related disputes. But there is now an…
Employment law compliance checkup: What HR needs to do to protect company, employees
There are four recently enacted employment laws in particular that could put your company at risk if you’re not prepared. Attorney Joyce Collier, partner at Pennsylvania- and New Jersey-based Uebler Law LLC, discussed how HR pros can best align their organizational policies and procedures with these employment laws during an episode of the HRMorning podcast…
Episode #17: HR’s key role in minimizing legal risks related to DEI and hybrid work
Keeping workers engaged and purpose-driven is an important part of HR’s job, but so is keeping your company out of court because of pitfalls related to the Equal Employment Opportunity Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act and more. In HRMorning’s “Voices of HR” podcast, we asked attorney Katherin Nukk-Freeman…
FedEx gets hit with $366 million verdict in race retaliation suit
A Texas jury has returned a verdict of more than $366 million to a former FedEx employee who said the package delivery giant engaged in retaliation because she complained about alleged racial discrimination. The award, which may be negated or reduced on appeal, includes $365 million in punitive damages. Jennifer Harris alleged in her lawsuit…
FMLA for expectant fathers: When leave does – and doesn’t – apply
Most HR pros have seen their fair share of tricky FMLA scenarios. For example, when are expectant fathers entitled to FMLA leave? And what exactly are they entitled to? Here’s what you need to know about the FMLA leave for new dads and soon-to-be dads. A new court ruling in Florida provides insight. New hire’s…
He got workers’ comp, but he wants more: Court says …
An employee who got workers’ comp benefits after getting hurt at work wasn’t entitled to get additional compensation by suing a co-worker who allegedly caused his injuries, Wyoming’s highest court held. The ruling is a case study on when employees can – and can’t – avoid so-called workers’ compensation exclusivity, which generally limits recovery for…
How could this happen? Appeals court says blatant sex bias is OK under Title VII
A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit reluctantly affirmed a lower court’s decision to reject sex bias claims filed by female detention officers who – unlike their male counterparts — were not allowed full weekends off. The case involved nine female detention service officers at the Dallas County Sheriff’s…
How employer proved innocence in racial bias accusation: 3 keys
This employer-friendly ruling highlights just how much freedom companies have to set job requirements – and choose the best candidates for the position. In this case, a Black applicant accused a university of not hiring him due to racial bias. A federal court disagreed. Key takeaways for HR: Managers might be able to list qualities…
Is that physical ability test legit? Keys to getting it right
A federal appeals court has revived claims of sex and age discrimination filed by a psychiatrist who lost her job because she could not pass a physical ability test. The plaintiff in the case is Jane DiCocco, who was 67 years old when she accepted a job as a psychiatrist at a federal prison located…
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