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When an employee complains about workplace harassment, opening an investigation is an important first step, but it isn’t the last one. A recent decision from the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals (whose rulings apply to all employers in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas) reminds employers that once they learn about possible harassment, they must respond […]
On January 22, 2026, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) voted 2 to 1 to rescind its Enforcement Guidance on Harassment in the Workplace. This is one of the first significant actions the EEOC has taken since regaining its quorum in October 2025. What Was Rescinded The Enforcement Guidance on Harassment in the Workplace […]
Even if an individual employee complies with the dress code, can she be asked to change clothes because she is too distractingly curvaceous? Can she be terminated for inappropriate social media activity, when similarly situated males were not? Was she terminated because she complained about discrimination and harassment, or because she posted risqué pictures while […]
Harassment and discrimination – two words no one wants to hear or experience, especially in the workplace. While at work, employees expect to be in a professional, safe and respectful environment. However, for many employees, this is not the case. Unfortunately, regardless of company size or job title, any employee can be subject to both […]
On July 29, 2024, the California Supreme Court issued a unanimous opinion in Bailey v. San Francisco Dist. Attorney Office, Cal., No. S265223 and held that the employee’s claims of racial harassment should proceed to jury trial, as well as that the trial court’s decision to dismiss the case in favor of the employer was in […]
On April 29, 2024, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued its final version of the Enforcement Guidance on Workplace Harassment to include developments “answering the call” of the #MeToo movement; the landmark Supreme Court decision in Bostock v. Clayton County, Georgia (which held the protections of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of […]
Most employers are generally aware that federal and state laws protect employees from adverse employment actions because of pregnancy, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and, potentially, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Employers should also be aware of and follow the Pregnant Workers […]
With client-facing roles, there is an expectation for employees to put their best foot forward and represent the company well in each interaction. Often, this can result in employees feeling an extra sense of pressure at work as they balance client meetings and tackling other deliverables in their roles. In particularly busy times, this can […]
Both HR professionals and managers are well aware of the tendency for employees to complain. And, while neither group enjoys dealing with complaints, it can’t be avoided. Some of the complaints could be avoided, though, by being aware of the most common frustrations facing employees and taking steps to head them off before complaints begin. […]
After a medical clinic employee reported harassment, she said she didn’t want her alleged harasser “approached about his behavior specifically directed towards [her].” As a result, the lower court determined the employer was excused from failing to address the conduct right away, especially since it did take prompt action once the harassment turned physical. On […]