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$55 million settlement in FedEx race discrimination class action

Written on 11 Apr, 2007 at 10:04

In my view, this FedEx class action settlement is yet another sign that after years of near-dormancy, employment discrimination claims not based on disability, harassment, or termination of employment (e.g., those based on hiring and promotions) have become the biggest... (Continue reading)

Unconscious Bias and Employment Discrimination: Is the Name Bielby Involved?

Written on 22 May, 2006 at 9:42

According to a recent article in BusinessWeek, many large class action employment discrimination cases are relying on the notion of unconscious bias, which has been evoked largely by a sociologist named Bielby. The article states that Bielby has been involved... (Continue reading)

New Class Action Lawsuit Aimed Against Restaurant Chain

Written on 17 May, 2006 at 16:12

A new class action lawsuit alleges that McCormick & Schmick’s restaurants have a nationwide corporate policy and practice of preferring white employees over African-American employees for “front-of-the-house” positions. The lawsuit also charges that: Related Reading: Employment Law for Business Human... (Continue reading)

Hiring An Expert Witness: What Not To Do

Written on 12 Apr, 2006 at 12:17

Written from an expert witness perspective, an article in law.com provides some excellent suggestions for attorneys who are looking for an expert’s opinion. The article consists of a seven suggestions for what attorneys should NOT do in hiring the expert,... (Continue reading)

Is Your Company A Target for A Discrimination Class Action Suit? Ten Factors to Consider

Written on 8 Mar, 2006 at 12:58

We have followed a number of large, well-publicized employment discrimination class-action cases, such as Wal-Mart, Best Buy, among others. Most attorneys and HR managers have heard of these kinds of cases, and unless you work in a small company, you... (Continue reading)

Wal-Mart in the News — A Lot! (Part II)

Written on 6 Mar, 2006 at 22:32

Last week, at a St. Louis bloggers’ lunch, Dennis Kennedy and I were joking about all our uncompleted posts, and all my Part I’s that never got Part II’s. Back in November 2005, when I wrote Wal-Mart in the News... (Continue reading)

Incidence of Employment Discrimination: Is Perception Reality?

Written on 12 Dec, 2005 at 23:43

Washington Post reports: “Fifteen percent of all workers say they have been discriminated against in their workplace during the past year, according to a new Gallup Organization poll.” Washington Post: “The Bias Breakdown” See also: “Workplace bias still prevalent, Gallup... (Continue reading)

HR/Employment Blogosphere Update for October 1-26, 2005

Written on 26 Oct, 2005 at 16:44

I’ve been so busy switching to the new format and keeping up with the “Our Recent Reading” page that I’ve neglected to do this update for over a month. (New readers: I had been doing it weekly, publishing on Monday,... (Continue reading)

Previewing Employment Cases on Supreme Court Docket

Written on 4 Oct, 2005 at 23:21

The Supreme Court opened its term with an employment case. On October 3, it heard argument about whether a worker at a meat processing plant is entitled to be paid for the time she spends each day putting on and... (Continue reading)