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States That Have Issued Workplace DEIA Guidance

On February 13, 2025, state attorneys general (AG) from 15 states issued written guidance entitled “Multi-State Guidance Concerning Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Employment Initiatives.” The guidance opens as follows: “The Attorneys General of Massachusetts, Illinois, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Vermont are […]

Farm Trips for Employees Are ‘Life-Changing’

Yesterday we looked at how Keurig Green Mountain strives to be one of the best places to work. One of the ways Keurig Green Mountain boosts engagement is sending employees on “source trips” to coffee-growing nations to see the company’s supply chain for themselves. Employees have described the experience as life-changing. Steve Bruce, host of […]

Transforming Abstract to Action: Winter Washington’s DEI Strategy at Gainwell Technologies

Winter Washington’s path to leadership in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) at Gainwell Technologies is rooted in a career spent observing gaps, connecting people, and finding ways to create meaningful change. As the company’s head of DEI and Employee Experience, Washington has worked to transform abstract concepts of equity and inclusion into actionable strategies that […]

Wrongful Termination: Private Employee’s Free-Speech Claim Fails

Joan Grinzi, a case manager for San Diego Hospice Corp., was fired after 13 years on the job as an at-will employee. Hospice, which is a private company, allegedly initially told Grinzi that she was being terminated because she belonged to the Women’s Garden Circle, an investment group that Hospice considered to be an illegal […]

pretext

Kansas Case Shows Perils of ‘Pretext’ in Disciplinary Actions

A recent Kansas federal court decision provides a good reminder of the importance of engaging in the interactive process when you’re dealing with disability accommodation requests. The ruling also highlights the perils of “pretext” (or false excuses) when articulating nondiscriminatory reasons for disciplining an employee.

5 New Affirmative Action Requirements

In yesterday’s Advisor, BLR Senior Legal Editor and affirmative action expert Susan Schoenfeld clarified the main aspects of the new affirmative action requirements for people with disabilities. Today, four more requirements, plus an introduction to SmartPolicies®, BLR’s popular collection of prewritten HR policies. In addition to the major changes discussed in yesterday’s Advisor, there are […]