According to information released by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the number of age, religion and national origin discrimination charges filed in fiscal year 2002 increased 14.5%, 21% and 13%, respectively, compared to 2001, while the average time to process a charge declined. The number of private sector charges for […]
Continue readingHarassment Education Is a Must
Ponder for a moment the guidance federal courts are now offering employees. First case in point: Punitive damages are appropriate if an employer fails to adopt a harassment policy and complaint procedure and to educate its workforce on the subject.Second case in point: An employer’s existing harassment policy was ineffective […]
Continue readingMust You Pay Employees for Time Spent on Smoking Breaks?
Employees Must be Compensated for “Short Breaks” Q: You permit your employees to take a series of short smoking breaks that do not exceed 20 minutes. Are you required to compensate your employees for the time they spend smoking?A: Yes. A U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Wage & Hour Administrator […]
Continue readingPregnancy Discrimination Issues…Understand How It Applies???
The Law: The Pregnancy Discrimination Act is an amendment to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It outlaws discrimination on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. Pregnant women must be treated in the same manner (hiring, firing, discipline, etc.) as other applicants or employers […]
Continue readingSurvey: U.S. Employers Are Increasingly Aware that Foul and Inappropriate E-Mail May Lead to Litigation
Smoking gun e-mail is so common in workplace lawsuits that almost ten percent of companies have been subpoenaed to produce employee e-mail. Eight percent have battled sexual harassment or discrimination claims stemming from employee e-mail and Internet use. According to the new “2001 Electronic Policies and Practices Survey” issued by […]
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