Discrimination

Expert Analysis

• Handbook Hot Topics: Remote Work Policies

  

  Implementing a remote work policy that clearly articulates eligibility, conduct and performance expectations for remote employees can ease employers’ concerns about workers they may not see on a daily basis, says Melissa Spence at Butler Snow.

• No Blank Space In Case Law On Handling FMLA Abuse

  

  Daniel Schwartz at Shipman & Goodwin discusses real-world case law that guides employers on how to handle suspected Family and Medical Leave Act abuse, specifically in instances where employees attended or performed in a concert while on leave — with Taylor Swift’s ongoing Eras Tour as a hypothetical backdrop.

• 'Miss Manners' Scenario Holds Lessons On Pregnancy Bias

  

  A recent Washington Post "Miss Manners" column, in which a pregnant employee expressed concern about her boss's admonitions against having children, provides an opportunity to evaluate what exactly constitutes pregnancy discrimination, says Robin Shea at Constangy.

• Cos. Should Plan To Protect DEI Before Supreme Court Ruling

  

  With the U.S. Supreme Court apparently poised to reject affirmative action in education with its pending decisions in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard and SFFA v. University of North Carolina, employers should begin preparing their response to the likely ensuing challenges to corporate diversity programs, says Keisha-Ann Gray at Proskauer.

• Water Cooler Talk: Bias Lessons From 'Partner Track'

  

  Tracey Diamond and Evan Gibbs at Troutman Pepper chat with CyberRisk Alliance's Ying Wong, about how Netflix's show "Partner Track" tackles conscious and unconscious bias at law firms, and offer some key observations for employers and their human resources departments on avoiding these biases.

• Accommodating Disabled Employees Is Rarely A Hardship

  

  Since tools for granting disabled employees' reasonable accommodation requests are readily available and affordable — as illustrated by a recent U.S. Department of Labor Office of Disability Employment Policy report — it should be much harder for employers to prove undue hardship in granting these requests, says Kamran Shahabi at Valiant Law.

• Minimizing Discrimination Risks In Export Control Compliance

  

  A recently issued U.S. Department of Justice fact sheet on avoiding immigration-related discrimination in U.S. export control compliance should help employers learn to walk a tightrope to ensure their good faith compliance efforts do not unintentionally create risks, say attorneys at Baker McKenzie.

• Employers Need Clarity On FLSA Joint Employer Liability

  

  A judicial patchwork of multifactor tests to determine joint employment liability has led to unpredictable results, and only congressional action or enactment of a uniform standard to which courts will consistently defer can give employers the clarity needed to structure their relationships with workers, say attorneys at Seyfarth.

• Prepare For Federal Agency Scrutiny On AI Discrimination

  

  A recent joint statement highlights several federal regulatory agencies' intent to scrutinize organizations' use of artificial intelligence technology under their existing mandates, so companies that build or use such systems should carefully ensure legal compliance to avoid potential bias and discrimination issues, say Tara Emory, Mike Kearney and Nick Snavely at Redgrave.

• Employee Termination Lessons After 4th Circ. Bias Case

  

  A Fourth Circuit panel's recent dismissal of discrimination and retaliation claims in Lashley v. Spartanburg Methodist College provides insights for employers on how to handle terminations, particularly when performance concerns and medical history are involved, says Heidi Siegmund at McGuireWoods.

• Tips On Workplace DEI Efforts In A Changing Legal Landscape

  

  Amid years of political debates about diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility efforts in the workplace, and increased state legislation in this area, employers can still explore ways to engage in DEIA training and initiatives without creating unnecessary legal risks, say attorneys at Husch Blackwell.

• Changes To Note In Revised NY Sex Harassment Model Policy

  

  The New York State Department of Labor's recent revision of its sexual harassment model policy shows continued focus on diminishing workplace sexual harassment, and employers should consider whether their current policies need updated language about harassment, discrimination, retaliation and more, say Anna McCarthy and Edward Steve at Harter Secrest.

• Eye On Compliance: Joint Employment

  

  Madonna Herman at Wilson Elser breaks down the key job conditions that led to a recent National Labor Relations Board finding of joint employment, and explains the similar standard established under California case law — providing a guide for companies that want to minimize liability when relying on temporary and contract workers.