As February comes to a close, Littler is capping off our celebration of Black History Month with a special podcast highlighting the voices of some of our Black attorneys. Kimberly Dobson (Long Island, NY) talks with fellow Littler attorneys, Kim Carter (San Diego, CA), Jason Byrd (New York City,
Articles Discussing Race Discrimination Under Title VII Of The Civil Rights Act Of 1964.
Collecting Data on Race and Ethnicity: White House Launches New Plan
The White House recently launched an effort to revise and update the statistical standards for race and ethnicity data collection across federal agencies with a stated goal of better reflecting the growing diversity of people in the United States. On January 26, 2023, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
Rejecting Reverse Racial Discrimination Claim, Seventh Circuit Reminds Employers of Best Practices
In a case brought under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e et seq., the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit provided guidance on measures employers can take to avoid liability for reverse discrimination claims. Groves v. South Bend Community School Corp., No. 21-3336 (Oct. 19, 2022).
Kanye’s Getting Cancelled: How to Respond to Employees’ Racist Comments
Kanye West’s anti-Semitic comments on Instagram and Twitter have prompted a swift backlash by businesses formerly associated with the rap and fashion mogul. Thus far, West has been dropped by Gap, Balenciaga, Adidas, talent agency CAA, JP Morgan Chase Bank, Vogue magazine, and others. Ye (as the rapper and
Pro Bono Week Podcast – Law Firm Antiracism Alliance: Police Brutality
Nicole LeFave, Vinay Patel and Garrick Chan share their experience with Jenny Schwendemann of working on a collaborative effort through the Law Firm Antiracism Alliance.
Littler attorneys provide pro bono services in a variety of areas, depending on the interests of individual attorneys. The firm values and encourages the
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.
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
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.
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
How can the employer prevent exposure to racial hate symbols, like the confederate flag, in the workplace?
How can an employer prevent the exposure to racial hate symbols – like the confederate flag – in the workplace?
Beyond proactively increasing security and the number of cameras on site, one of the most effective tools for combating racism in workplaces is to create clear policies and