Suppose you are a Department Head at Larger-than-Life Sciences, Inc. Rhonda the Researcher is one of your direct reports. Rhonda is just not performing well at her job. In fact, you are not sure she is really qualified. Your annual performance review showed serious problems. You then put Rhonda on a Performance Improvement Plan. Rhonda […]
Sikh and Ye Shall Find…A Case of Religious Accommodation and Drug Testing
Suppose you are the hiring manager at Terrific Trucking Firm and you are hiring drivers. Aside from checking your applicants’ driving records, you interview them, run drug tests, background checks, and generally make sure you feel confident that they are a good fit for your company. In walks a candidate whose application you liked, and whose […]
Do You Have to Allow Unscheduled Prayer Breaks?
You may have heard about the 53 Muslim workers in Wisconsin who walked off their manufacturing jobs over their employer’s retraction of unscheduled prayer breaks. The employees are claiming religious discrimination and the employer, Ariens, who manufactures lawn mowers and snow blowers is claiming undue hardship. Just about every employer knows that it cannot discriminate […]
Breaking News: US Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Applicant in Abercrombie “Hijab” Case
The much-awaited ruling in the Abercrombie & Fitch “hijab case” is here. Abercrombie & Fitch refused to hire 17-year old Samantha Elauf, because the headscarf she wore pursuant to Muslim practices (which she was wearing at her job interview) conflicted with Abercrombie’s “look” policy, which prohibited pretty much any head coverings. (Click here for a […]
Hearing Religious and Pregnancy Discrimination Cases “Appeals” to the Supreme Court
The United States Supreme Court began its October 2014 term two weeks ago. Many of you may be thinking, “That’s nice, but why do I need to know that? Should I care?” If you are an employer, manager or H.R. practitioner,the answer is a resounding “yes”. Why? The High Court has agreed to hear appeals […]