Discrimination
4 Steps for Handling Religious Objections to Workplace Vaccine Mandates
Employers generally must explore reasonable accommodations for employees who refuse to get vaccinated against the coronavirus based on a sincerely held religious belief—but objections based on personal or political views are not protected under federal anti-discrimination laws. Many employers who implemented vaccine mandates have faced a tidal wave of requests for religious exemptions, according to…
Read MoreThe Return to the Office May Spur Harassment, ADA Claims
Various legal experts have said that employers with lasting remote operations or returning workforces should look out for certain issues. On Sept. 7, it appeared: the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s first lawsuit alleging an employer violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by requiring an employee to work in person, despite a company policy allowing…
Read MoreShould Job Seekers Disclose Their Vaccination Status Upfront?
As more companies consider establishing a vaccine mandate, a trend is taking shape: Job seekers are promoting themselves as “Fully Vaccinated” on applications, resumes and LinkedIn profiles to stand out. Some experts are beginning to say that vaccination status is a must-have line item on resumes and LinkedIn profiles as employers prepare for regulations that…
Read MoreService Animals and Emotional Support Animals in the US: What Do You Need to Know?
What obligations do businesses and, in particular, the air transport industry have in the US in relation to accommodating service and emotional support animals? Executive Summary Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits disability discrimination in places of public accommodation, which includes businesses (including transit) that are open to the public, like…
Read MoreTiming Matters – Failure to Respond and Act Promptly Can Create Liability
A recent case emphasizes the importance of timing – both in terms of reacting to reports of employee misconduct and in imposing discipline (particularly termination). As the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit recently found, terminating an employee, based on conduct that occurred months earlier, shortly after they complain of discrimination certainly seems…
Read MoreMotorcycle Dealership Sales Manager Wins $500K in Sex Discrimination Suit
Backed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, a female sales manager at a Harley-Davidson dealership based in Tampa, Florida, won $500,000 in punitive damages after being denied a promotion based on her sex, in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. A jury of eight unanimously found in her favor. According to…
Read MoreWalmart Applicant Alleges Retailer’s Criminal History Test is Discriminatory
Walmart’s criminal history screening process is overly broad, in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, an applicant alleged in a proposed class-action lawsuit (Ramos v. Walmart, Inc., No. 21-cv-13827 (D.C.N.J., July 19, 2021)). The store fails to assess whether an applicant’s convictions are job-related, the plaintiff said. Furthermore, Walmart’s process…
Read MoreEmployers React to Workers Who Refuse Vaccination as COVID-19 Cases Rise
As mandatory COVID-19 vaccines become more widespread, many employers are asking what they can do if workers refuse. Some employers are firing workers who won’t take the vaccine and others are requiring unvaccinated employees to submit to weekly testing and take other safety precautions. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has weighed in with guidance that…
Read MoreFederal Court Allows ACLU Pregnancy Discrimination Case to Move Forward
A federal court determined July 14 that the American Civil Liberties Union can move forward with a lawsuit against Frontier Airlines, alleging the company discriminated against pregnant and breastfeeding employees. Frontier Airlines had requested the court dismiss the case. In its complaint filed on behalf of four Frontier employees and “all others similarly situated,” (Hodgkins, et al,…
Read MoreEEOC’s Updated Guidance on COVID-19 Vaccines in the Workplace Impacts Employer Approaches for Compliance with CDC Guidance and State and Local Require
Employers―and particularly those operating in multiple states―should be mindful of how the updated guidance impacts their efforts to comply with state requirements. On May 28, 2021, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) updated its guidance on workplace COVID-19 vaccination issues under the federal EEO laws. The updated guidance is important for employers to consider in…
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