Do you handle HR issues? Notice I didn’t ask if you are an HR practitioner. Some companies do not have an HR Department but designate someone to handle HR issues that arise. Either way, let’s assume you do handle HR issues. What would you do if an employee complained to you about a supervisor that […]
Short-Term Employment and Hostile Work Environment Claims Don’t Mix— or Do They??
Suppose you have a seasonal business. You, therefore, hire mostly short-term employees. They work one or more particular seasons and then they’re gone. One day an employee comes to you and reports that s/he is being harassed because of his/her disability. You’re sorry to hear that, but you reason that s/he won’t be there much […]
A SLAPP in the Face? Why You Might Not Want to File a Counterclaim in a Workplace Harassment Suit
“My employee just sued me and my company claiming sexual harassment. It’s patently false. I want to counter-sue”. I’ve heard this one before. Can you file a counterclaim to a workplace harassment suit? In theory, maybe. Should you? That’s another question altogether. Why shouldn’t you file a counterclaim — particularly if you really believe — and maybe even […]
Time May Not Heal All Wounds in Discrimination Cases…
What do you think when you hear that a employee filed a discrimination claim against a former employer? Do you assume it’s just a disgruntled employee looking for a payout? What if the employee alleged that s/he was subjected to 18 years of discrimination and harassment, had complained repeatedly and that the employer did nothing […]
This Employer Got In Trouble For Changing an Employee’s Shift…
Does your organization require employees to work in shifts? Many do. Can you hire an employee in one shift and later ask the employee to work another shift? Generally speaking, yes. Wait. Generally speaking? What does that mean? Doesn’t an employer have a right to determine its needs and hire accordingly? Same answer. Does that mean […]