Law and the Workplace

Tag Archives: discrimination

Second Circuit Rules Sexual Orientation Discrimination Is Prohibited Under Title VII

By Evandro Gigante and Laura Fant on Posted in Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation
Second Circuit sealIn an en banc decision in Zarda v. Altitude Express, Inc., the Second Circuit has become the latest federal appeals court to hold that discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is prohibited sex discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (“Title VII”). Background The case involved Donald Zarda, a gay … Continue Reading

Massachusetts Legislature Considers Prohibiting Mandatory Arbitration of Employment Claims

By Mark W. Batten and Samantha Regenbogen Manelin on Posted in Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation
A bill prohibiting mandatory arbitration of employment-related claims, introduced in late 2017 before the Massachusetts House of Representatives, continues to gain traction in early 2018.  The bill (House Bill 4058), which proposes legislation that would prohibit enforcement of mandatory arbitration agreements “relating to a claim of discrimination, non-payment of wages or benefits, retaliation, harassment or … Continue Reading

2017 Form EEO-1 Survey Now Available

By Connie Bertram, Guy Brenner and Alex Weinstein on Posted in Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation
EEOC sealYesterday, the 2017 EEO-1 Survey became available.  Private employers with 100 or more employees and federal government contractors or subcontractors with 50 or more employees and a contract/subcontract of $50,000 or more must file EEO-1 reports. As you may recall, last year the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) attempted to revise the Form EEO-1 … Continue Reading

Amendment to New York City Human Rights Law Mandates Employers to Engage in “Cooperative Dialogue” with Employees Seeking an Accommodation

By Evandro Gigante, Harris Mufson and Bassam Gergi on Posted in Accessibility & Accommodation, Litigation and Arbitration, Workplace Policies and Procedures
The New York City Council voted last month to amend the New York City Human Rights Law (“NYCHRL”) to mandate that covered entities engage in “cooperative dialogue” with those persons who may be entitled to a reasonable accommodation. On January 19, 2018, because the Mayor failed to take action within thirty days of its passage, the … Continue Reading

New Jersey Enacts State Anti-Discrimination Protections for Breastfeeding

By Evandro Gigante and Laura Fant on Posted in Accessibility & Accommodation, Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation
Newly enacted amendments to the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD) have expanded state anti-discrimination protections in the workplace, housing, and in public accommodations to include individuals who are breastfeeding or expressing milk.  The amendments also require employers to provide reasonable accommodation to breastfeeding employees.  The amendments took effect immediately upon signing by the Governor … Continue Reading

California Enacts Statewide Law Restricting Inquiries into Applicants’ Salary History

By Tony Oncidi and Laura Fant on Posted in Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation, Hiring/Background Checks
California Governor Jerry Brown has signed into law a statewide salary history inquiry law that will largely restrict employers in the state from seeking and relying upon salary history information from applicants during the hiring process. The law, which will go into effect on January 1, 2018 and will apply to all private and public … Continue Reading

Fact Sheets for Employers and Applicants Issued on NYC Salary History Inquiry Law

By Evandro Gigante and Laura Fant on Posted in Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation, Hiring/Background Checks
NYC Commission on Human RightsAs the October 31, 2017 effective date for the New York City salary history inquiry law fast approaches, the NYC Commission on Human Rights (the “Commission”) has issued two new fact sheets addressing applicants’ rights, and employer responsibilities, under the new law.  The first fact sheet is addressed to job applicants, while the second fact … Continue Reading

7th Circuit Holds Long-Term Leave Is Not a Reasonable Accommodation Under the ADA

By Steven J. Pearlman and Alex Weinstein on Posted in Accessibility & Accommodation, Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation, Leaves of Absences
Leave of absence formIn a recent decision in Severson v. Heartland Woodcraft, Inc. (Sept. 20, 2017), the Seventh Circuit affirmed a district court’s ruling that an employer did not violate the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) by failing to provide an employee with a long-term medical leave of absence.  Indeed, the court found that “a long-term leave of absence … Continue Reading

New EEO-1 Form Put On Hold: Employers Have Until March 31, 2018 To Submit Prior Version Of EEO-1 Form

By Connie Bertram and Guy Brenner on Posted in Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation, Workplace Policies and Procedures
EEOC sealKey Points: The OMB has stayed the implementation of the new EEO-1 Form, which added compensation and hours worked components to the annual EEO-1 submission OMB’s decision was based in part on concerns about burdens the new form would place on employers and the questionable utility of the new information requirements Employers who must submit … Continue Reading

Seventh Circuit: EEOC May Continue Investigation After Dismissal of Private Lawsuit

By Steven J. Pearlman and Amanda Wiley on Posted in Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation
The Seventh Circuit recently concluded that the EEOC’s investigative powers do not end when a lawsuit related to the originating charge ends.  EEOC v. Union Pacific, No. 15-cv-3452 (Aug. 15, 2017). Background.  Two former railroad employees alleged race discrimination and retaliation in EEOC charges, asserting that they were not permitted to take an advancement test … Continue Reading

NYC Human Rights Law Amended to Prohibit Discrimination Against Uniformed Servicemembers and Veterans

By Evandro Gigante and Laura Fant on Posted in Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation
Military Servicemember and American FlagNYC Mayor Bill de Blasio has signed into law an amendment to the New York City Human Rights Law (NYCHRL) adding current or prior service in the uniformed services as a protected class under the law.  The amendment will take effect on November 19, 2017. As we previously reported, the bill gives veterans and active … Continue Reading

Top Five Proactive Ways for Start-Ups to Avoid HR Nightmares

By Keisha-Ann Gray on Posted in Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation, Hiring/Background Checks, Wage and Hour, Workplace Policies and Procedures
Unless you’ve been under a rock, the fact that many start-ups have recently found themselves on the wrong side of the litigation or threatened litigation “v.” should not surprise you. In fact, it is often the very things that make start-ups so appealing – their laid back culture, open floor plans, no dress code, lack … Continue Reading

What Is Going On With The Revised EEO-1 Form?  Acting EEOC Chair Provides Insight Into Its Status

By Connie Bertram, Guy Brenner and Alex Weinstein on Posted in Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation, Workplace Policies and Procedures
EEOC sealAs loyal readers of our blog are aware, in February 2016, the EEOC released a rule to amend the Form EEO-1.  The new rule requires private employers (including federal contractors) with 100 or more employees to submit pay data with their EEO-1 reports.  Employers with fewer than 100 employees will still not need to file … Continue Reading

Massachusetts Pregnant Workers Fairness Act Becomes Law

By Mark W. Batten and Samantha Regenbogen Manelin on Posted in Accessibility & Accommodation, Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation, Workplace Policies and Procedures
On July 27, 2017 Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker signed into law the Massachusetts Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (“MPWFA”), a bill which had unanimously passed in both the House and Senate. As discussed previously, the MPWFA (formerly H. 3816) ensures that pregnant workers or workers with pregnancy-related conditions (such as nursing) receive reasonable accommodations and protection … Continue Reading

[Podcast] The Proskauer Brief: Congressional Legislation Update

By Allan Bloom and Rachel Philion on Posted in Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation, Leaves of Absences, The Proskauer Brief Podcast, Wage and Hour
Which federal bills will become law? Proskauer partner Allan Bloom and associate Rachel Philion run through some of the key proposed congressional legislation in the pipeline that we are keeping our eyes on, and provide insight into the potential implications for employers if they pass. We also provide an update on developments from the U.S. Department of … Continue Reading

Connecticut Expands Anti-Discrimination and Accommodation Protections for Pregnant Employees and Applicants

By Keisha-Ann Gray and Laura Fant on Posted in Accessibility & Accommodation, Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation
Earlier this month, Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy has signed into law “An Act Concerning Pregnant Women in the Workplace” (the “Act”), which enhances employment protections for pregnant employees and applicants under the state’s existing anti-discrimination law. The expanded protections amend the Connecticut Fair Employment Practices Act (“CFEPA”) and will go into effect October 1, 2017. … Continue Reading

New York Court of Appeals Clarifies Application of New York’s Criminal History Discrimination and “Aiding and Abetting” Provisions

By Joseph Baumgarten and Laura Fant on Posted in Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation, Hiring/Background Checks
In Griffin v. Sirva, Inc., the New York Court of Appeals held that while only “employers” may be liable for criminal conviction history discrimination under Section 296(15) of the New York State Human Rights Law (“NYSHRL”), a covered employer may extend beyond a worker’s direct employer to also include entities that exercise “order and control” … Continue Reading

Mayor Signs Into Law New York City Bill Restricting Employer Inquiries Into Applicants’ Salary History

By Evandro Gigante and Laura Fant on Posted in Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation, Hiring/Background Checks, Workplace Policies and Procedures
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has signed into law a bill that will make it unlawful for employers to inquire into or rely upon job applicants’ wage history during the hiring process, with limited exception.  The law will take effect on October 31, 2017. As we previously reported, the law prohibits employers, employment … Continue Reading

Philadelphia Delays Implementation of Ordinance Restricting Employer Inquiries Into Applicants’ Salary History Following Legal Challenge

By Allan Bloom and Laura Fant on Posted in Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation, Hiring/Background Checks, Workplace Policies and Procedures
Philadelphia has indefinitely delayed implementation of its new ordinance that that will make it unlawful for employers to inquire into an applicant’s wage history during the hiring process. As we previously reported, the law was scheduled to take effect on May 23, 2017.  However, on April 6, 2017, the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia … Continue Reading

New York City Council Approves Bill Restricting Employer Inquiries Into Applicants’ Salary History

By Evandro Gigante, Laura Fant and Arielle E. Kobetz on Posted in Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation, Hiring/Background Checks, Wage and Hour, Workplace Policies and Procedures
The New York City Council has approved a bill that would make it unlawful for employers to inquire into or rely upon job applicants’ wage history during the hiring process, with limited exception.  The bill now goes before Mayor Bill de Blasio and, if signed, will become effective 180 days following signature. As we previously … Continue Reading

Seventh Circuit Becomes First Federal Court of Appeals to Hold That Sexual Orientation Discrimination Is Prohibited Under Title VII

By Evandro Gigante, Laura Fant and Dana N. Berber on Posted in Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation
In an 8-3 en banc decision in Hively v. Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana, the Seventh Circuit has held that discrimination based on sexual orientation is a form of sex discrimination under Title VII.  In so holding, the Seventh Circuit has become the first federal appellate court to extend the protections of Title VII … Continue Reading

Second Circuit Addresses Title VII Sexual Orientation Claims And Leaves Door Ajar For Sex Stereotyping Claims

By Evandro Gigante, Laura Fant and Brett Schwab on Posted in Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation
Second Circuit sealIn a three-member panel decision in Christiansen v. Omnicom Group, Inc., the Second Circuit revived a homosexual employee’s claims under Title VII on the theory of sex discrimination based on sex stereotyping, but stopped short of reconsidering prior Circuit precedent holding that Title VII does not expressly prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. … Continue Reading

Third Circuit Permits ADEA “Subgroup” Claims

By Evandro Gigante and Dana N. Berber on Posted in Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation, Litigation and Arbitration
The Third Circuit recently held in Karlo v. Pittsburgh Glass Works, LLC, No. 15-3435, 2017 WL 83385 (3d Cir. Jan. 10, 2017), that workers in their 50s may be recognized as a “subgroup” of employees protected by the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (“ADEA”) if employer policies inadvertently disfavor them relative to their co-workers who … Continue Reading

Philadelphia The Latest To Restrict Employer Inquiries Into Applicants’ Salary History

By Allan Bloom and Laura Fant on Posted in Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation, Hiring/Background Checks, Workplace Policies and Procedures
Job ApplicationThe City of Philadelphia has passed an ordinance that will make it unlawful for employers to inquire into an applicant’s wage history during the hiring process.  The law, which amends the city’s current Fair Practices Ordinance, will take effect on May 23, 2017. The ordinance states that—absent a federal, state, or local law specifically authorizing the … Continue Reading
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