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EEOC on the March–Charges, Investigations, and Claims

Yesterday’s Advisor offered take-aways from Littler Mendelson’s recently released Annual Report on EEOC Developments—Fiscal Year 2012; today, data on charges and investigations, plus an introduction to HR Dept One. Review of Charge Activity, Backlog, and Benefits Provided On November 19, 2012, the EEOC announced the publication of the FY 2012 Performance and Accountability Report.  During […]

Age Discrimination: New Case Examines Whether You Can Deny Older Workers Educational Assistance Benefits; Preventive Measures To Take

Suppose an employee in their 50s or 60s wants to take advantage of your employee educational assistance program. You may be reluctant to shell out thousands of dollars to educate a worker who’s close to retirement. One employer that faced this situation recently got slapped with an age discrimination lawsuit when an older worker’s request […]

News Notes: Employer Never ‘Paid’ Employee Whose Paycheck Was Illegally Intercepted

  Felix C. Villafuerte complained to the Labor Commissioner that Pasadena-based Inter-Con Security Systems Inc. never paid him his final wages when he quit. Inter-Con claimed it had mailed a final paycheck to Villafuerte but that an unknown person had illegally intercepted and cashed it by forging Villafuerte’s signature. A California Court of Appeal now […]

Trade Secrets: Court Says Employer’s Insurance Policy Didn’t Cover Stolen Information; Are You Protected?

Employers take many steps to try to prevent the loss of trade secrets. You ask employees to sign nondisclosure agreements, implement security systems and train your workforce on how to keep information confidential. Despite your best efforts, a breach sometimes occurs and your trade secrets end up in a competitor’s hands. In a new case, […]

EEOC Nets More than $100 Million in FY 2011 For Plaintiffs Alleging Disability Discrimination

It pays to stay off the  Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s enforcement radar. Employers paid more than $100 million in fiscal 2011 to resolve disability discrimination claims enforced by the civil rights agency, it’s annual annual statistical summary. Payouts to workers alleging violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act produced the highest increase in monetary relief […]

News Notes: DOT Now Enforcing Rule On HAZMAT Placards

The Department of Transportation has begun enforcing a rule that prohibits motor carriers from placing extraneous information on placards or in placard holders reserved for hazardous materials information. The measure, which took effect Oct. 1, 2001, bans signs, advertisements and slogans such as “Drive Safely” that reduce the ability of emergency responders to immediately recognize […]

Is Guidance for Electronic Discovery Clear?

In yesterday’s Advisor, we shared some surprising results from Fulbright & Jaworski’s 7th Annual Litigation Trends Survey. Today, respondents’ views on electronic discovery and HR-related suits, and an introduction to the new training system that helps avoid litigation entirely. [Go here for more survey results and details on the survey.]   Do you think the […]

HHS Solicits Comments on Essential Health Benefits

An important component of health reform implementation is the imposition of an “essential benefits” package (of health goods and services that insurers of groups and individuals must cover). Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), that benefit package will be de rigueur (1) for policies sold on exchanges and (2) insurers of small […]

Bulletin: New law expands whistleblower protection for health care workers

Governor Schwarzenegger recently signed A.B. 632, which bars a health care facility from discriminating or retaliating against patients, employees, facility medical staff, or other health care workers for filing a complaint or grievance, or initiating or participating in an investigation into the facility. Employees who are discriminated against in violation of the law will be […]