During its annual shareholder meeting, Tesla shut down several investor proposals aimed at improving an allegedly “toxic” work culture grounded in discrimination and harassment. Preliminary results from the meeting indicate that of the eight investor resolutions on the agenda, only one will survive opposition from Tesla. Three of the aborted
Articles Discussing Race Discrimination Under Title VII Of The Civil Rights Act Of 1964.
How Can Implicit Bias Training in the Real Estate Industry Achieve Maximum Efficiency?
In recent years, the nation has made efforts to raise awareness of implicit bias in employment and across industry groups.
New Collective Bargaining Agreement for Minneapolis Teachers Will Structure Layoffs by Race
Executive Summary: Minneapolis public school teachers of color will have additional job protections this upcoming school year under a new contract allowing them to keep their jobs rather than white instructors with more seniority. The provision is unusual among collectively bargained agreements in education, which generally prioritize seniority when providing job protection.
Former Black Agents Sue State Farm for Racial Discrimination and Retaliation
According to a recent article published by Law360, an Illinois federal judge ruled in favor of former State Farm agents who filed racial discrimination and retaliation claims against the company. The judge decided that State Farm must face the complaints presented by the class of former agents in a
Tesla Sued for Race Discrimination, Again
Tesla, Inc., a company not shy to public scrutiny, has been sued yet again. In late June of 2022, fifteen Black employees brought a lawsuit against the tech giant in Alameda County for racism. The case, Jasmin Wilson et. al. v. Tesla, is the newest one in a string of
Fifth Circuit Finds Specific Allegation of One-Time Use of Racial Slur Sufficient to Preclude Dismissal Under Rule 12(b)(6)
On March 24, 2022, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit reversed a district court’s Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6) dismissal for failure to state a claim on a pro se plaintiff’s hostile work environment claim in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of
Celebrating AAPI Heritage Month: Feeling Foreign Where We Belong
In honor and celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Littler attorney, Judy Iriye (L.A. – Century City) talks with fellow Littler attorney, Kevin Yam (New York) and Littler alum, Fran Barbieri (Chief Counsel, Litigation and Employment at World Wide Technology in St Louis, Missouri), about personal
“Articulate” As a Compliment? We Need to Talk
In the weeks leading up to and during the historic confirmation hearings of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court, the first Black female justice was repeatedly recognized by a number of senators for being so “articulate” while being questioned. The “compliment” resonated at the same frequency as
Hands Off My CROWN! What Employers Should Know About the Rise of Hair Discrimination Laws
On March 18, 2022, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair (CROWN) Act. The CROWN Act would prohibit workplace discrimination based on a person’s hair texture or hairstyle if that style or texture is commonly associated with a particular race
Google Faces Yet Another Racial Discrimination Lawsuit
Earlier this month, a former Google employee filed a racial discrimination lawsuit against the tech giant. The suit was filed in U.S. District Court by April Curley. Curley worked for Google from 2014 to 2020, when she was terminated. During her time with the company, Curley facilitated programs that
House Passes CROWN Act Ban on Natural Hair Discrimination in the Workplace
Following years of uncertainty in the courts as to whether hair discrimination constitutes race discrimination, California was the first state to adopt a law called the CROWN Act, in 2019. The CROWN Act, which stands for “Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair,” prohibits hair discrimination in employment and education.
Main Tesla Factory Sued for Racial Discrimination, Abuse Again
Toxicity in the workplace can often be subtle. Microaggressions like avoidance of eye contact or dismissal of input are objectionable interactions, but they take time and repetition to recognize as an illicit problem. Other times, toxicity in the workplace is more bold. Racial slurs, derogatory treatment, and blatant exclusion
What should an employer do to address a discovered symbol of racial hate in the workplace?
All employers aspire to create a safe workplace free from harassment and discrimination. So, it is unfortunate when employers encounter symbols of hate in the workplace. These offensive items include swastikas, nooses, unequal signs, confederate flags, inappropriate cartoons or images, or other symbology and racially hostile slogans. Displaying or allowing the display of racially offensive content can subject an employer to a claim for hostile work environment.
A Conversation on Black Health and Wellness with Dr. Adia Gooden: Part One
In the first of a two-part podcast celebrating Black History Month, Littler associates Jason Byrd (New York) and Jo Gbujama (San Francisco) talk with licensed clinical psychologist and author, Dr. Adia Gooden, about the impact of systemic health inequity on Black Americans, and the importance of self-advocacy and being
Former Miami Dolphins Head Coach Brian Flores Accuses NFL of Racial Discrimination
As the Super Bowl excitement fades, the NFL faces much bigger questions than which commercial was the best. Brian Flores, former coach of the Miami Dolphins, has filed a putative class action lawsuit against the league alleging racial discrimination. Since being fired as head coach for the Dolphins in