Since March 2020, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) COVID-19 technical assistance, “What You Should Know About COVID-19 and the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and Other EEO Laws,” has been a valuable resource for employers in dealing with the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Archives for October 28, 2021
Department of Education Recommends Steps to Ensure Inclusivity of Intersex Students
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has published a fact sheet that addresses key issues intersex students face in schools and provides recommendations on how schools can support intersex students.
It’s Not a Presidential Election, But Employers Still Have Obligations
As Election Day approaches, employers should ensure they are in compliance with state law requirements related to employee voting rights.
What to Know About New York City’s Law on COVID-19 Severance Pay for Hotel Workers
Under a New York City law, hotels with at least 100 rooms that either (1) experienced a mass layoff of 75% or more of their workforce or (2) were closed to the public during the COVID-19 pandemic, but have not reopened to the public by November 1, 2021, must pay a weekly severance to laid-off employees.
Federal Court Rejects Legal Challenges to Workplace Mandatory Vaccination Policies
A federal court recently issued a ruling in one of the first lawsuits in South Carolina challenging mandatory vaccinations. In Bauer v. Summey, employees of the City of North Charleston, the City of Charleston, and the St. James Fire District challenged their employers’ mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policies, and sought a preliminary injunction suspending enforcement of the policies during the lawsuit.
“Reasonable Accommodation Not Always Employee’s Preferred Choice,” HR Daily Advisor
Michael Foley, an associate in the Labor & Employment Practice Group in the New Orleans office, wrote the article “Reasonable Accommodation Not Always Employee’s Preferred Choice,” which was republished in HR Daily Advisor. In his article, Michael reviews a recent decision from the US 5th Circuit Court of Appeals which clarified that a disability accommodation can be reasonable even if it’s not the employee’s first choice. Michael says the ruling also demonstrates that it is important to take seriously all accommodation requests arising from an employee’s limiting physical or mental conditions, even if they appear minor or temporary.
Foley Article Featured in HR Daily Advisor
Michael Foley, an associate in the Labor & Employment Practice Group in the New Orleans office, wrote the article “Reasonable Accommodation Not Always Employee’s Preferred Choice,” which was republished in HR Daily Advisor.
When to File an HR Complaint (And When Not To)
Learn what problems you should and shouldn’t take to the human resources department.
Starbucks and Costco raising wages in the nationwide competition for workers
Costco has raised its minimum wage to $17 an hour, and Starbucks will raise its starting pay to $15 an hour.
Awon Phie LLC to Pay $30,000 to Settle EEOC Pregnancy Discrimination Lawsuit
Employer Declared Employee Was a ‘Liability’ Due to Pregnancy, Federal Agency Charges
Frizzell Furniture to Pay $60,000 to Resolve EEOC Sex Discrimination Charge
Furniture Retailer Did Not Hire Applicant Because He Is Transgender, Federal Agency Found
The 37-Year-Olds Are Afraid of the 23-Year-Olds Who Work for Them
Twenty-somethings rolling their eyes at the habits of their elders is a longstanding trend, but many employers said there’s a new boldness in the way Gen Z dictates taste.
A Gay Music Teacher Got Married. The Brooklyn Diocese Fired Him.
Matthew LaBanca is bringing attention to a legal loophole that allows religious institutions to exclude people in same-sex civil marriages from jobs by deeming them ministers.
Former U.S. Rep. Kennedy, Chevron CHRO Morris on Workplace Mental Health
Patrick J. Kennedy, Former U.S. Representative and founder of The Kennedy Forum and Rhonda Morris, Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, Chevron discuss supporting wellness at work with Bloomberg’s Cynthia Koons at the Bloomberg Equality Summit.
Department of Justice Action Suggests Employers Need to Adjust How They Recruit Foreign Workers
The PERM Labor Certification Process (PERM) has been used since 2005 by U.S. employers to sponsor foreign national employees for Lawful Permanent Residence, also known as “green cards.” Through the PERM process, employers are required to test the U.S. labor market through a very structured, highly regulated recruitment designed to