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Harassment

Male Sex Stereotyping: Going Where No Man Has Gone Before

Written on 8 Jun, 2009 at 5:30

The following guest post is by attorney Ellen Simon, who has been listed as one of The Best Lawyers in America for her landmark work representing individuals in precedent-setting cases. Ellen blogs at the Employee Rights Post. Stereotyped Statements As... (Continue reading)

Is Workplace Bullying Cause for Concern?

Written on 10 Nov, 2008 at 16:01

When Bullies Grow Up What happens to playground bullies who grow up to be workplace bullies? And what happens to the companies where they work? This is the focus of an article entitled “Workplace Bullying Suits on the Horizon.” Successful... (Continue reading)

Halloween in the Workplace? It Depends…

Written on 1 Oct, 2008 at 11:05

Halloween Will Soon Be Upon Us — Are You Prepared? In addition to personally getting ready for Trick or Treating or costume parties with friends, a 2007 Halloween-practices survey by vault.com found that employees at an increasing number of companies... (Continue reading)

Bulletproofing Employment Investigations

Written on 28 Jul, 2008 at 7:00

This post on workplace investigations that hold up to scrutiny emphasizes the importance of vertical and horizontal consistency and reasonableness in the investigation of allegations of workplace misconduct, such as harassment.... (Continue reading)

Firemen’s Dog Food Prank Could Cost City Millions

Written on 18 Sep, 2007 at 0:33

A black LA firefighter filed a racial discrimination suit after his coworkers “secretly laced his spaghetti with dog food.” He said in court documents that the dog food incident “was part of a pattern of incidents” at the fire station... (Continue reading)

Lessons from an EEOC Wall Street harassment lawsuit

Written on 29 Jun, 2007 at 10:40

The other day, out of the blue, I got a call from Jon Jacobs, a writer for eFinancialCareers, a financial services industry job site. Jon asked me if I had heard about a case recently filed by the EEOC against... (Continue reading)

9 Tips to Beat the Heat and Look Professional: Women

Written on 22 Jun, 2007 at 8:59

At many offices across the country, today is Casual Friday. If you’re wearing a company polo and a nice pair of khakis, or something even fancier, pat yourself on the back. If you’re wearing a halter top and other people... (Continue reading)

EEOC Files Suit Over Racial Slurs; George Learns a New One (To Not Use)

Written on 18 Aug, 2006 at 0:26

The EEOC has filed a lawsuit alleging that a a supervisor at a medical clinic in California used the word “reggin” (“nigger” spelled backwards) and other coded derogatory words when referring to a black file clerk. The suit is for... (Continue reading)

Why Harassment Training is Essential & Must Go Beyond Sexual Harassment

Written on 16 Jul, 2006 at 23:46

A few employment law fundamentals: Harassment based on race or other protected characteristics is analyzed legally under the same standards as sexual harassment. Offensive graffiti targeting employees because of their race, sex, or other protected characteristic, if sufficiently severe or... (Continue reading)

When Bullying Becomes A Case of Sexual Harassment

Written on 21 Jun, 2006 at 22:33

Don’t get too comfortable too quickly when there is bullying in your workplace. I’ve often gotten the impression that companies can relax when the bully doesn’t appear to be intending to discriminate against women (or men for that matter). What... (Continue reading)

How Not to Respond to a Harassment Complaint

Written on 19 Jun, 2006 at 23:13

This one’s a beaut! Of course, these are only allegations. On the other hand, the EEOC apparently is litigating the case, suggesting there may be something to it. A federal lawsuit claims that female employees of a suburban Chicago bar... (Continue reading)

Posh Hotel Settles English-Only Lawsuit

Written on 9 Jun, 2006 at 14:18

In a recent lawsuit, a posh hotel (it doesn’t say which one) has agreed to settle a lawsuit in which 13 Hispanic workers were forced out from their jobs for speaking Spanish while at work. The agreement includes some interesting... (Continue reading)

How Can This Not Be Actionable Sexual Harassment?

Written on 13 May, 2006 at 21:04

Those unfamiliar with principles of sexual harassment liability may be shocked that the allegations of seemingly outrageous harassment in a recent case didn’t allow the plaintiff to avoid summary judgment and proceed to trial, if not prevail at trial. The... (Continue reading)

Still Curious About That Employee-Spanking Case? Of Course You Are!

Written on 10 May, 2006 at 16:31

Highlighting why it is a leading HR publication, Workforce Management presents the story of the employee “spanking” case, providing more details and analysis on this “major corporate black eye” case than the sources we cited in these earlier posts on... (Continue reading)

More Damages in Spanking Case!

Written on 30 Apr, 2006 at 16:05

On Friday, the jury in the “spanking” case we discussed here and here awarded $1.2 million in punitive damages. This is on top of $10,000 for economic loss, $40,000 for future medical costs and $450,000 for emotional distress, pain and... (Continue reading)

Its 8am: Do You Know Where Your Employees Are (On the Internet)?

Written on 9 Mar, 2006 at 10:42

Everyone has heard about issues regarding company liability vis-a-vis harassment when employees use the Internet inappropriately? But what about child pornography? Now there may be new company liability for employees who use company computers for child pornography.... (Continue reading)

Cupid Draw Back Your Bow and Let Your Arrow Go; Straight to My Coworker’s (?) Heart….

Written on 13 Feb, 2006 at 20:18

Update of last year's survey of romance at work is discussed; cupid is apparently live and well at work! So, enjoy current and future romance....at work!... (Continue reading)

Religious Tolerance: Going A Little Too Far

Written on 13 Feb, 2006 at 10:19

Today I read a religious discrimination story from Suits in the Workplace. The case discussed involved a manager who hired only people with a close religious bond to him, engaged in office prayer, gave business advantages to his coreligionists, sang... (Continue reading)

HR/Employment Blogosphere Update for December 12, 2005

Written on 12 Dec, 2005 at 13:17

Hopefully, this week’s update brings a little something for everyone, starting with this delightful winter photo entitled “A Snow Angel.” This great pic attracted many comments on flickr, including: “It brings me right back to being a small child bundled... (Continue reading)

Mixed Messages on Sexual Harassment — and a Movie Too

Written on 22 Oct, 2005 at 15:33

Is the problem of sexual harassment getting better or worse? Should women complain to management about it more or less? Are victims better off staying on the job to fight or quitting and moving on? Is there a need for... (Continue reading)

Seriously?

Written on 7 Oct, 2005 at 13:46

Couple things here for Friday diversion that are either good satire or just plain stupid. First, this from London via India: Next time you think of putting away your office files high-up on a shelf behind your desk, think again,... (Continue reading)

Sexual Harassment Training Overkill

Written on 16 Sep, 2005 at 23:05

Could this really be true? FEMA wasting time on giving sexual harassment training to firefighters on their way to aid in the New Orleans recovery? The firefighters, several of whom are from Utah, were told to bring backpacks, sleeping bags,... (Continue reading)