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No Favorable Treatment of ‘Similarly Situated’ Individuals Dooms Gender Discrimination Claim

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 forbids discrimination based on certain protected categories (e.g., gender) in any aspect of employment. Discrimination can present itself in the form of “hostile work environment,” “disparate treatment,” or the “disparate impact” of a particular employment practice. Disparate treatment cases involve claims in which an employee alleges […]

Questions a Strategic HR Manager Asks Before Hiring

We all want to hire eagles and avoid hiring turkeys, says consultant Mel Kleiman. Unfortunately, he adds, turkeys know how to dress like eagles, and eagles often don’t look like eagles. Kleiman, from Humetrics, Inc., offered his tips on hiring the best at BLR’s Strategic HR Summit, held recently in Scottsdale, Arizona. Turkeys and Eagles […]

pets

Is It Time to Implement a Pets-at-Work Policy?

Employers, now’s the time to make sure employees are feeling fulfilled. The Great Resignation is upon us. Plus, the Financial Independence, Retire Early (F.I.R.E.) movement is gaining momentum. It seems more and more Americans aren’t interested in staying at one company for long. When your employees are handing in resignations quicker than a cat on […]

expat

Anti-Vax Nurse Leaks Measles Diagnosis, Leads Texas Hospital to Say No Social Media Privacy

With the advent of social media, a significant number of people have lost their jobs. From Roseanne Barr to James Gunn, the list of people with online mishaps runs long and deep. A few weeks ago, a Texas Children’s Hospital nurse joined the roster after she allegedly shared a Facebook post about a young patient […]

Want to Tell Coworkers to Go Away? Let This New Product Do It for You

Cubicle farms with no doors have employees facing constant interruptions and employers bemoaning lost productivity. This is especially true in the dangerous “afternoon slump” period when workers are looking for some stimulation from caffeine, sugary snacks, and office gossip. Various studies show that even a 2-minute interruption can result in 20 minutes of lost productivity […]

ERISA

Series of ERISA Retirement Benefit Cases Head to Supreme Court Docket

Three lawsuits against corporate retirement benefit plans involving the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) have been, and a fourth may be, granted certiorari by the U.S. Supreme Court for its next term, a relatively large concentration of these cases in the High Court’s recent history of hearing ERISA matters.

EEOC’s Extensive Q&A Clarifies Obligations to Pregnant Employees

Pregnancy discrimination is often motivated by concern—pregnant women don’t need to be stressed—or chauvinism—pregnant women should take leave. In fact, though, those attitudes are discriminatory. And the plot thickens if a disability or FMLA leave is involved. EEOC’s recent guidance helps employers figure out where they stand. Pregnancy discrimination is often motivated by concern—pregnant women […]

Defined benefit retirement plan

Consider These Steps When Administering DB Plan Lump-Sum Windows

Lump-sum windows that offer defined benefit (DB) retirement plan participants a chance to convert their vested accrued monthly benefit into a one-time lump-sum cashout have gained popularity as a way for pensions to “derisk” their balance sheets and lower their headcount for U.S. Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) premiums.