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New rule simplifies FMLA administration

by Lauren E.M. Russell The U.S. Supreme Court’s 2013 decision in United States v. Windsor created a lot of uncertainty in federal employment benefits. Because the federal government’s definition of marriage as a union between one man and one woman was deemed unconstitutional, the decision left unanswered the question of when same-sex spouses were eligible […]

What is Title VII of the Civil Rights Act?

We hear a lot about civil rights and nondiscrimination, and most HR professionals have at least a basic knowledge of employee nondiscrimination rights. But when it comes right down to it, what exactly is in Title VII? It’s probably the most commonly referenced law relating to nondiscrimination in the workplace, so it’s important to be […]

A ‘Vampire’ in the Workplace Stokes Discrimination Lawsuit

This sounds so high school! An employee recently filed suit in an Illinois federal court because his coworkers teased and ridiculed him because he had an accent, saying he looked and sounded like a vampire. What makes this story strange is that the employee is a securities broker and so are his coworkers.