by The Human Equation, Inc.
on 8/21/2013
Title VII prohibits retaliation against employees who engage in protected activity, such as opposing or alleging unlawful workplace discrimination. Those suing for unlawful retaliation must prove that there is a link between the retaliation and their protected activity. But, how strong must the link be? The U.S. Supreme Court recently answered this question in University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center v. Nassar.
In this case, Dr. Nassar alleged that his supervisor was biased against him on account of his religion and ethnic heritage. His supervisor once remarked that “Middle Easterners are lazy,” and, upon hearing that another physician of Middle Eastern descent was hired, the supervisor said that the hospital had “hired another one.” Dr. Nassar lodged several complaints about his treatment. Thereafter, a series of events led to Dr. Nassar leaving the hospital for another position. More...
c9c9f50e-5b55-4a4a-ade0-9396dc2188db|0|.0
Tags: 2013, Background and Reference Checks, benefits & compensation administration, benefits & compensation administration, benefits & compensation administration, Benefits and Compensation, Benefits and Compensation Administration, Business Strategy, Contractual and Other Liabilities, Disability and Discrimination Policies, Discrimination, employee relations and diversity, Employee Status and Job Descriptions, Employment Liability, Workplace Rights, Workplace Harassment and Discrimination, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
Categories: 2013, Human Resources, Risk Management
by Martin Salcedo, Esq. - The Human Equation
on 7/17/2013
Who is considered a supervisor under Title VII? Since our last article discussing Vance v. Ball State University, the U.S. Supreme Court has given us the answer. According to the Court, a supervisor is a person
empowered by the employer to take tangible employment actions against the victim; to effect a significant change in employment status, such as hiring, firing, failing to promote, reassignment with significantly different responsibilities, or a decision causing a significant change in benefits.
Vance involved allegations of racial harassment and discrimination in violation of Title VII. Though the parties disputed the precise nature and scope of the harasser’s duties, it was clear that the harasser did not have the power to hire, fire, demote, promote, transfer or discipline the plaintiff. Given the harasser’s inability to take a tangible employment action against the plaintiff, the Court held that the harasser does not qualify as a supervisor under Title VII. More...
4e3915ce-28d4-446b-8394-a51a3151c852|0|.0
Tags: 2013, Background and Reference Checks, Benefits and Compensation, Benefits and Compensation Administration, bonuses & pay increases, Business Strategy, Contractual and Other Liabilities, Discrimination, EEOC, DOLFMLA, Employee Status and Job Descriptions, Employment Liability, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Laws and Regulations, Managers, Productivity and Performance, Rules and Conduct, Sexual Harassment, The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Workplace Harassment and Discrimination, Workplace Rights
Categories: 2013, Human Resources, Risk Management
by Martin Salcedo, Esq. - The Human Equation
on 6/18/2013
In a previous article we discussed the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) position on the use of arrest and conviction records in the employment context. According to the EEOC, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act (Title VII) prohibits the use of arrest and conviction records in a manner that discriminates on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, or sex. The EEOC recently reaffirmed its position by filing two lawsuits involving the use of criminal background records.
BMW Manufacturing Co.
The EEOC claims that BMW’s criminal conviction policy, which disproportionately screened out African Americans, is not job related and consistent with business necessity. The lawsuit alleges that BMW’s policy is a blanket exclusion that does not provide for an individualized assessment of the nature and gravity of the crimes, the ages of the convictions, or the nature of the workers’ respective positions. More...
1eef8210-3fb1-421b-b645-d3be2c333329|0|.0
Tags: 2013, Background and Reference Checks, Business Strategy, Discrimination, diversity, Employee Status and Job Descriptions, Employment Liability, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Laws and Regulations, recruiting and offers, Risk Management, EEOC, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Workplace Rights, Workplace Harassment and Discrimination
Categories: 2013, Human Resources, Risk Management
by Martin Salcedo, Esq. - The Human Equation
on 4/30/2013
Those of you following us on Facebook or Twitter know that the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) recently revised the Employment Eligibility Verification Form (Form I-9). Though optional since early March 2013, the revised Form I-9 will become mandatory on May 7, 2013. As of this date, employers must stop using prior versions of the Form I-9 and begin using the version dated 03/08/13. (The version date can be found at the bottom of the form.)
I-9’s are used by employers to verify the identity and employment authorization of every new employee hired in the United States, regardless of citizenship. This process is authorized by the Immigration Reform and Control Act to preclude the unlawful hiring, recruiting or accepting a fee for the referral of aliens who are not authorized to work in the United States. More...
b86da5fb-7aaa-43e2-842c-5d1d0a2c31f6|0|.0
Tags: 2013, Background and Reference Checks, Business Strategy, Contractual and Other Liabilities, Employee Status and Job Descriptions, Employment Liability, government forms, Human Resources, Hiring, Interviewing, Laws and Regulations, personnel forms and handbooks, Risk Management, Workers' Compensation, Form I-9, I-9s, US Citizenship and Immigration Service, USCIS, New I-9
Categories: 2013, Human Resources, Risk Management
by The Human Equation, Inc.
on 2/2/2009 The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) announced that it has delayed the implementation of the revised Form I-9 for 60 days--until April 3, 2009. More...
by The Human Equation, Inc.
on 1/28/2009 Now that employers across the country have finally become proficient in using the Employment Eligibility Verification Form—Form I-9—after its last revision in December 2007, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) determined that Form I-9 was due for yet another revision. More...
by The Human Equation, Inc.
on 10/6/2008 A former employee is currently interviewing for a new job, and the prospective employer is now asking me for a reference. More...