Practical HR Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
Title VII does not prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation. However, individuals who identify as gays, lesbians, or transgendered have successfully asserted claims of discrimination under Title VII. The claims are made on the basis of an employer’s gender stereotyping of characteristics or traits associated with a particular gender. For example, a federal court has […]
In yesterday’s Advisor, we found “harassment statements we don’t want to hear.” Today, more harassment gems, plus an introduction to a new downloadable anti-harassment essentials kit. “We have a strict ‘no-dating of coworkers’ policy. That avoids harassment claims for sure.” Most experts say, “Good luck with that.” It’s next to impossible to prevent co-worker dating. […]
Harassment misconceptions abound, and managers and supervisors may be the most confused. Here are some of the statements and scenarios you don’t want to see. How to avoid them? Training. “As a manager, if I suspect behavior that might be harassment, I observe carefully; when I determine that it’s actually illegal, I take firm and […]
In yesterday’s Advisor, Attorney Julie A. Moore helped managers through the thorny task of harassment investigations. Today, her do’s and don’ts for investigators, plus an introduction to BLR®‘s 10-minutes-at-a-time training system for managers and supervisors. p>Moore, who is president and founder of Employment Practices Group in North Andover, Massachusetts, offered her suggestions at BLR®‘s National […]
When harassment accusations arise in the workplace, what you say or—sometimes even more importantly—what you don’t say can make the difference between problem resolution and a lawsuit, says attorney Julie A. Moore. Oftentimes, the initial reaction of the manager is to ignore the situation, hoping it will improve on its own. That’s not going to […]
By Dominique Launay No doubt, workplace harassment remains a hot topic in Canada. Another Canadian province, Manitoba, has recently announced that it will join Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, and the federal sector in requiring employers to provide protection from workplace harassment. Quebec employers have been required to deal with protections from psychological harassment since 2004. Their […]
As more and more employers get slapped with wage and hour lawsuits that often challenge exempt classification, it’s becoming critical for employers to take a close look at their own operations and policies to determine what they can do to keep from becoming the next target. Below are some audit tips from attorney Kurt A. […]
A federal trial court in Nevada apparently couldn’t believe that a woman’s sexual overtures to a male coworker would ever be unwelcome and rejected the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) attempt to file a harassment suit on his behalf. But in a recent decision, the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals (which covers Alaska, Arizona, […]
Your photocopier may be keeping copies of your records that have been scanned into the copier’s hard drive. You can access those records easily—and so can anyone else who knows how to work the copier’s hard drive. “That’s something everyone should be aware of,” said attorney Catherine Moreton Gray, speaking at BLR’s National Employment Law […]
In yesterday’s Advisor, we presented several sexual harassment scenarios for training. Today, more scenarios and an introduction to the best lawsuit-fighting tool of all, the annual HR audit. Managers and Supervisors, What Do You Do When … A co-worker from another department keeps asking one of your people out, and brings candies. Your employee is […]