Gibbons Law Alert

Gibbons Law Alert

Tagged: Harassment

NLRB Ruling is Problematic for Employer Workplace Investigation Policies

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Posted in Labor

On October 26, 2015

The National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”) decided that an employer’s workplace investigations policy, which recommends employees keep an internal investigation confidential, violated the National Labor Relations Act (“NLRA”) because it interfered with employees’ rights to communicate regarding matters affecting terms and conditions of employment. The ruling creates a quandary for employers to maintain effective workplace investigation policies and practices including confidentiality statements in anti-harassment policies.

New Jersey Appellate Division Decision Stresses Importance of Meaningful Anti-Harassment Policy and Training

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Posted in Discrimination / Policies and Handbooks

On November 3, 2014

An effective anti-harassment policy has long been recognized as a key component to an employer’s avoidance of liability for allegations of sexual, racial, or other harassment under New Jersey law. The New Jersey Appellate Division in Dunkley v. S. Coraluzzo Petroleum Transporters recently reinforced this fact, and the decision provides a helpful reminder to employers that adopting clear anti-harassment policies, providing regular training to its workforce, and immediately addressing allegations of harassment/discrimination once presented, are important factors that may help them avoid liability for the conduct of employees who violate such policies.

EEOC Issues Enforcement Guidance on Pregnancy Discrimination

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Posted in Discrimination

On July 22, 2014

On July 14, 2014, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) — the agency responsible for the enforcement of federal anti-discrimination laws — issued Enforcement Guidance on Pregnancy Discrimination and Related Issues (“the Guidance”). The Guidance primarily discusses the requirements of the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), but also addresses additional federal laws that touch upon pregnancy and related conditions, including the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA).

EEOC Issues Guidance Regarding Religious Dress and Grooming Practices

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Posted in Discrimination

On June 26, 2014

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) — the federal agency responsible for the enforcement of federal anti-discrimination laws — recently issued guidance on religious accommodation under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (“Title VII”), specifically focusing on religious dress and grooming practices. The publication, entitled “Religious Garb and Grooming in the Workplace: Rights and Responsibilities,” along with its accompanying Fact Sheet, are designed to assist employers to comply with their legal responsibilities under Title VII.

The Case for Getting Aggressive with Workplace Bullies

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Posted in Policies and Handbooks

On September 6, 2013

You have heard about bullying on the playground but, did you know it has moved into the workplace? Bullying is now an important employee relations issue for businesses and employers must be aware of the problem and address it. In their recent article published by The Metropolitan Corporate Counsel entitled “The Case For Getting Aggressive With Workplace Bullies,” Kelly Bird and Lindsay J. Jarusiewicz focus on the following concerns: What is workplace bullying? How can workplace bullying impact employers and employees? Are there any laws against workplace bullying? How can employers address the issue?

Supreme Court Requires “But-For” Causation for Title VII Retaliation Claims

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Posted in Discrimination

On June 26, 2013

In a victory for employers, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center v. Nassar, that employees asserting retaliation claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (“Title VII”) must establish that the adverse employment action at issue would not have occurred “but for” an improper motive on the employer’s part. This “but for” causation standard, as opposed to the more plaintiff-friendly “motivating factor” causation standard used in Title VII discrimination claims, gives employers a better chance at defeating Title VII retaliation claims, particularly at the summary judgment stage.

The U.S. Supreme Court Decides Who is a “Supervisor” for Title VII Purposes

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Posted in Discrimination

On June 25, 2013

Yesterday, the U.S. Supreme Court decided Vance v. Ball State University, one of the most-anticipated decisions of the Court’s 2012 Term. The Vance case concerns who is considered a “supervisor” for purposes of establishing an employer’s liability for hostile work environment harassment under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. In a 5 to 4 decision, the Court affirmed the decision of the Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, from which the case arose, and other lower courts which had defined “supervisor” to include only those individuals who possess the authority to fire, demote, promote, transfer, discipline or take some other tangible action against a harassment victim. The Court rejected the definition of “supervisor” proposed by the federal government, appearing as amicus curiae, and found in the EEOC’s Enforcement Guidelines, which links “supervisor” status to the ability to exercise direction over the victim’s daily work.

Gibbons Director, Susan Nardone, to Speak at Upcoming NAWL Labor & Employment Webinar

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Posted in Discrimination

On February 22, 2013

Employee complaints concerning discrimination and harassment occur in nearly every workplace. Susan L. Nardone, a Director in the Gibbons Employment & Labor Law Department, will serve as a panelist for the upcoming NAWL webinar, “Avoiding the Pitfalls that Cost: Highlighting Best Practices in Labor and Employment Internal Investigations,” taking place on Wednesday, February 27, at 11:00 am. This webinar will focus on how to handle common, yet complex, issues likely to arise during the internal investigation of an employee complaint

Time to Review Your Employee Policies and Training Programs

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Posted in Policies and Handbooks

On November 19, 2012

As we near the end of the year, now may be a good time to dust off your employee manual and training programs! An annual review of policies is a good best practice that can save your company both time and money in the long run. For instance, have you considered revising your policies or offering trainings in areas that have been the focus of recent legal activity such as: social media, confidentiality, reasonable accommodations, or bullying.

Crucial Issues in Investigations

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Posted in Discrimination

On September 12, 2012

Does your company conduct internal investigations? If so, you should be asking yourself these four crucial questions: Is the right person conducting the investigation? Is the investigation thorough? Is it taking too long? Is the company following through? Click here to read more about these important internal investigation concerns in an article recently written by Kelly Ann Bird and published by The Metropolitan Corporate Counsel.

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