News & Updates

retaliation

It’s Just Lunch Settles With EEOC for $900,000

It’s Just Lunch Settles With EEOC for $900,000

On July 22, 2013, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission announced that it had settled a federal court claim against It’s Just Lunch (IJL), a company based in Hallandale Beach, Florida.  In its lawsuit, the EEOC alleged that IJL engaged in sex-based hiring practices by refusing to hire men into the position of dating directors.  The EEOC alleged […]

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A Smartphone App To Show Enforcement History of Establishments?

A Smartphone App To Show Enforcement History of Establishments?

The United States Department of Labor (USDOL) is seeking assistance in preparing a smartphone application which would “transform the way the public is able to use department enforcement data.”  A USDOL spokesman indicated that the app would be used to allow consumers the opportunity to see if the establishment they wish to frequent has been in […]

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EEOC Launches Test Case on Religious Discrimination

EEOC Launches Test Case on Religious Discrimination

Most employers are aware that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (“Title VII”) prohibits employers from discriminating against employees on the basis of “religion.”  Courts have broadly construed the term “religion” to mean most sincerely held beliefs, including atheism.  The law is clear that employers are to not discriminate on the basis […]

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Supreme Court Opens Door to Retaliation Claims by Third Parties

Supreme Court Opens Door to Retaliation Claims by Third Parties

On January 24, 2011, the Supreme Court of the United States handed down a decision that will, no doubt, reshape the world of employee retaliation claims.  In Thompson v. North American Stainless, LP, Plaintiff Eric Thompson and his fiance worked for the same company.  After his fiance filed filed a charge of gender discrimination with the Equal Employment […]

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EEOC and Walmart Settle: $11.7 Million

EEOC and Walmart Settle:  $11.7 Million

Earlier this month, the EEOC announced that Walmart Stores will  pay $11.7 million in back wages and com­pen­satory damages, up to $250,000 in administration fees and will furnish other relief, including jobs, to settle a sex discrimination lawsuit filed by the EEOC. According to the EEOC’s lawsuit, Walmart’s  London, Ky., Distribution Center denied jobs to female applicants […]

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EEOC Performance Results: Investigations Still Slow

EEOC Performance Results: Investigations Still Slow

As many observers noted, the EEOC’s Performance Results for the FY 2009 Performance and Accountability Report (PAR) were released toward the end of last year.  The PAR is based on the EEOC’s current modified Strategic Plan for FY 2007 through FY 2010 which was approved by the Commission in 2008. The current strategic plan contained […]

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Court Approves $6.2 Million Dollar Settlement Between EEOC and Sears

Court Approves $6.2 Million Dollar Settlement Between EEOC and Sears

Earlier this month, the EEOC announced that the agency had secured its largest Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) settlement in history. The case against Sears Roebuck & Co was brought in the Northern District of Illinois in 2004 and just this month resulted in a court approved settlement.  In the lawsuit, the EEOC claimed that Sears implemented […]

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USDOL Secretary Solis Announces Hiring of 250 New Wage and Hour Investigators

USDOL Secretary Solis Announces Hiring of 250 New Wage and Hour Investigators

Yesterday, USDOL Secretary Hilda Solis announced that USDOL has hired 250 new Wage and Hour investigators.  The hiring will result in a 33% increase in investigative staff which, no doubt, will herald more investigations.  As the Secretary’s press release stated, “America’s workers should rest assured that protecting worker rights is a top priority at the […]

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