The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals recently held the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) covers individuals with “gender dysphoria.” According to the American Psychiatric Association, gender dysphoria describes an uncomfortable conflict between a person’s assigned gender and the gender with which the person identifies.
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Discrimination and Harassment Law and Practice
District Court Enjoins EEOC and Department of Education Guidance Protecting LGBTQ Rights
On July 15, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee entered a preliminary injunction barring the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Department of Education (ED) from enforcing guidance documents issued to interpret Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII) and Title IX of the Education Amendments…
Conducting Workplace Investigations: Step #10 – Communicate Results (VIDEO)
We are excited to share the final installment of our video series, Conducting Workplace Investigations | Step #10: Communicate Results. This series, 10 Steps Every Company Should Take When Conducting Workplace Investigations, is intended to guide HR leaders faced with investigating a complaint between coworkers, such as harassment or inappropriate conduct, through the investigation process.…
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Conducting Workplace Investigations: Step #9 – Take Disciplinary Action (VIDEO)
We are excited to share the next installment of our video series, Conducting Workplace Investigations | Step #9: Take Disciplinary Action. This series, 10 Steps Every Company Should Take When Conducting Workplace Investigations, is intended to guide HR leaders faced with investigating a complaint between coworkers, such as harassment or inappropriate conduct, through the investigation process.…
Continue Reading Conducting Workplace Investigations: Step #9 – Take Disciplinary Action (VIDEO)
Conducting Workplace Investigations: Step #8 – Assess Your Results (VIDEO)
We are excited to share the next installment of our video series, Conducting Workplace Investigations | Step #8: Assess Your Results. This series, 10 Steps Every Company Should Take When Conducting Workplace Investigations, is intended to guide HR leaders faced with investigating a complaint between coworkers, such as harassment or inappropriate conduct, through the investigation process.…
Continue Reading Conducting Workplace Investigations: Step #8 – Assess Your Results (VIDEO)
Anti-Harassment Training Requirements
I recently provided insight for an article in SHRM that outlined the requirements for anti-harassment training programs in the workplace. On March 3, 2022, President Biden signed a law banning the enforcement of mandatory arbitration agreements for claims of sexual-assault and sexual-harassment in the workplace. Employers should consider updating any anti-harassment training programs in light of this new law.
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Conducting Workplace Investigations: Step #7 – Interview the Accused (VIDEO)
We are excited to share the next installment of our video series, Conducting Workplace Investigations | Step #7: Interview the Accused. This series, 10 Steps Every Company Should Take When Conducting Workplace Investigations, is intended to guide HR leaders faced with investigating a complaint between coworkers, such as harassment or inappropriate conduct, through the investigation process.…
Continue Reading Conducting Workplace Investigations: Step #7 – Interview the Accused (VIDEO)
Conducting Workplace Investigations: Step #6 – Interview the Witness (VIDEO)
We are excited to share the next installment of our video series, Conducting Workplace Investigations | Step #6: Interview the Witness. This series, 10 Steps Every Company Should Take When Conducting Workplace Investigations, is intended to guide HR leaders faced with investigating a complaint between coworkers, such as harassment or inappropriate conduct, through the investigation process.…
Continue Reading Conducting Workplace Investigations: Step #6 – Interview the Witness (VIDEO)
Conducting Workplace Investigations: Step #5 – Interview Best Practices (VIDEO)
We are excited to share the next installment of our video series, Conducting Workplace Investigations | Step #5: Interview Best Practices. This series, 10 Steps Every Company Should Take When Conducting Workplace Investigations, is intended to guide HR leaders faced with investigating a complaint between coworkers, such as harassment or inappropriate conduct, through the investigation process.…
Continue Reading Conducting Workplace Investigations: Step #5 – Interview Best Practices (VIDEO)
EEOC Update: Employers Can Offer Vaccine Incentives to Workers
The EEOC has updated its guidance “What You Should Know About COVID-19 and the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and Other EEO Laws.” The new guidance clarifies that employers may offer incentives to employees to voluntarily provide documentation or other confirmation that they have received the COVID-19 vaccination from a third-party (i.e., doctor, pharmacy, health agency or other healthcare provider).
The EEOC has confirmed that requesting this documentation is not a disability-related inquiry covered by the ADA and is not an unlawful request for genetic information under GINA, but continues to caution employers to keep this vaccination information confidential pursuant to the ADA. However, the EEOC has distinguished incentives offered to employees for voluntarily receiving a vaccination administered by the employer or its agent. In that case, the EEOC cautions employers against offering incentives that are so substantial to become coercive, as “vaccinations require employees to answer pre-vaccination disability-related screen questions, [and] a very large incentive could make employees feel pressured to disclose protected medical information.”…
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