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In its decision, the United States Circuit Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit (Sixth Circuit) dissolved a 10(j) injunction against an employer, holding that federal courts should not issue injunctions in failure-to-bargain cases unless concrete evidence shows that the employer’s rebuff of the union will cause irreparable harm. That is, rather than allowing the NLRB to presume irreparable harm only from the employer’s refusal to bargain, the Sixth Circuit’s decision requires a more robust inquiry, as is typical in most other injunction cases.…

Continue Reading Federal Sixth Circuit Tightens NLRB 10(j) Injunction Standard

On June 5, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision, overruling the Sixth Circuit’s “background circumstances” rule in employment discrimination cases. The background circumstances rule required members of a majority group to satisfy a heightened evidentiary standard to prevail on a Title VII claim.

Continue Reading Supreme Court – Same Burden of Proof Applies to All Plaintiffs in Title VII Discrimination Claims, Removing Greater Burden for “Reverse Discrimination” Claims

As we navigate a new year and a new administration, we are all grappling with an unprecedented wave of executive orders and memoranda from the Trump administration that are reshaping the workplace.

From dramatic shake-ups in the EEOC and NLRB to increased scrutiny of DEI practices, employers are facing yet another season of uncertainty.

Continue Reading Register Now | Responding to Policy Shifts Under the Trump Administration

Along with my colleagues Anna Grizzle, Lisa Rivera and Elizabeth Warren, I provide guidance and best practices on effectively responding to a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid.

Continue Reading Webinar | ICE Workplace Raids: Best Practices and Preparation for Employers

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has dropped its appeal of a Texas federal judge’s order striking down its new, expansive joint employer rule.  As readers may recall, late last year the NLRB issued a rule broadening the definition of joint employer, which would have significantly increased the number of entities that may be deemed joint employers and thus share responsibility for complying with the National Labor Relations Act. 

Continue Reading NLRB Withdraws Appeal of Joint Employer Rule

On June 28, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the landmark Chevron decision, which had required courts to uphold a federal agency’s interpretation of a statute as long as it was reasonable. Now, courts are required to exercise their independent judgment in deciding whether an agency has acted within its statutory authority, and courts may not defer to an agency’s interpretation of the law simply because a statute is ambiguous. 

Continue Reading Supreme Court Overturns Landmark Chevron Decision: Expect Impact on Employment Decisions

In a recent decision, the United States Supreme Court ruled that a lateral job transfer can – in certain circumstances – be an illegal adverse action and support a claim for a lawsuit for unlawful discrimination. This decision will increase the type of job actions for which employers can be sued and will lead to greater risk for employers in making challenging employment decisions.

Continue Reading Supreme Court Holds That Employees Need Not Show “Significant” Harm to Support a Title VII Discrimination Claim Based on a Job Transfer

The Supreme Court recently ruled that the burden an employer must meet in denying a requested religious accommodation is “substantial” and not merely “de minimis.”  Employers will now have a harder time denying religious accommodations.

Continue Reading Supreme Court Increases Employer’s Obligation in Religious Accommodation Requests

Can an employer be held liable for sexual misconduct at a private party that takes place after an employer-sponsored holiday party?  A recent Tennessee Court of Appeals case appears to say “yes” and thereby presents a new concern for employers considering employer-sponsored events.

In Phelps v. State, an employee sued her employer, the State of Tennessee, for sexual harassment and retaliation claims under the Tennessee Human Rights Act (THRA).  The instances of alleged sexual harassment included serious sexual misconduct (including a sexual assault) at an after-party following a State-sponsored Halloween party.  The court ruled that the State could be liable for these “after-party” events, even though they took place after hours and away from the place of employment.

Background

Continue Reading Halloween Party Turns Scary for State in New Court Decision: Appellate Court Says Employer May Be Held Liable for Off-Duty, Off-Premises Sexual Harassment Claims

From the Bass, Berry & Sims Blog Network
From the Bass, Berry & Sims Blog Network

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