The economic downturn affects businesses but also impacts the daily lives of employees. An employee’s personal financial problems can lead to bankruptcy, foreclosure and even divorce, any of which may impact his or her job and job performance.
Businesses must be prepared to respond to employee performance issues created by financial problems. Employers should be…
The EEOC announced a $505,000 sexual harassment settlement with a McDonald’s Franchise on behalf of a class of young female employees, including teens. The EEOC contended that a male supervisor engaged in serious harassment including physical contact, sexual comments and offers of favoritism. In addition to the monetary award, the franchisee was required to provide letters of…
As Pennsylvania’s Primary Election approaches, one of the unexpected political issues is affirmative action. Newsweek columnist Seth Colter Walls discusses the situation in Obama’s Postracial Test. The column describes the election battleground created by state ballot initiatives like California’s Proposition 209 and Michigan’s Proposal 2 that prohibit public institutions from considering race, sex or…
Charley Blaine hit the nail on the head with his observation about the Bear Stearns’ fallout appearing in his posting MSN moneyblog:
My guess is that Bear Stearns’ 14,000 employees will be the biggest losers. The company’s employee-stock-ownership plan owned 23% of the shares as of Feb. 14. The shares that day had a market
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The EEOC’s Report of Discrimination Charge filings notes that Retaliation claims rose 18% to a record high, doubling since 1992. There were 26,663 retaliation based charges filed in 2007 up from 22,555 the previous year. The trend might be explained, in part, by employees filing both a discrimination charge and a retaliation claim; increased awareness by employees…
Today’s headlines about Governor Eliot Spitzer’s link to a prostitution ring recount another scandal involving a high level government official. Spitzer attempted to “manage” the scandal by calling a press conference, his spouse at his side, apologizing for his behavior and describing the rest as a “private matter”. After this "ritual of repentance", Spitzer…
The number of Discrimination Charges filed with the EEOC increased to 82,792 in 2007, up from 75,768 the previous year. Race, Gender and Retaliation charges were the most frequently reported charges. The EEOC’s nonsensical reporting style makes it difficult to glean much more information since the report doesn’t account for individuals claiming multiple types of discrimination. Also…
In response to heavy lobbying by the Pennsylvania Newspapers Association, Pennsylvania enacted legislation overhauling what was largely regarded as one of the worst open records laws in the country. The “Right-to-Know Law” is generally effective January 1, 2009, and applies to the public records of state and local agencies, the state legislature, municipalities…
The subject of “ageism” is a hot topic in the press and among employment commentators. As Baby Boomers grow older so does the percentage of the United State population perceived as old and protected by age discrimination laws.
According to AARP, the percentage of people 65 and older who work has grown…
In Federal Express Corp. v. Holowecki, the United State Supreme Court ruled that the EEOC’s Intake Questionnaire adequately meets the requirements of a “Charge” to trigger an employee’s rights to sue his or her employer in court. The plaintiff submitted to the EEOC an Intake Questionnaire with an affidavit contending that her employer was engaging…
