In a landmark decision, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission held that discrimination against transsexual employees constitutes “sex discrimination” in violation of the Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. While there has been a progressive shift toward protection of gender identity in state and federal court decisions and state statutes, the EEOC’s decision [...]
Refusing to hire ex-convicts may violate federal prohibitions against race and national origin discrimination, according to new enforcement guidance from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Because black and Hispanic individuals are arrested and convicted at higher rates than other groups, the EEOC reasons that discrimination on the basis of a criminal background may have a [...]
In honor of Mother’s Day, we consider how employers can create workplace policies that recognize the needs of employees – mothers, fathers, even neighbors – with caregiving responsibilities. Hiring should focus on the applicant’s qualifications, not pregnancy, child care, or other family issues. Assumptions and stereotypes are dangerous. Not all women take on caregiving [...]
As seen in the April 23, 2012 Connecticut Law Tribune
With unemployment rates still over eight percent nationally, employers know they have the upper hand in the hiring process. But asking for Facebook passwords is a bad practice and may be illegal. Maryland’s legislature just passed a law – still awaiting the governor’s signature – prohibiting employers from asking applicants or employees for their usernames [...]