Discrimination

  • June 01, 2026

    High Court Turns Away Health Workers' Vaccine Mandate Case

    The U.S. Supreme Court declined a bid for review Monday from workers who said a nonprofit healthcare system and Washington state violated their rights by issuing COVID-19 vaccination mandates, leaving in place a Ninth Circuit ruling that said their case didn't pass muster.

  • May 29, 2026

    A State Law Cheat Sheet For Discrimination Attorneys

    New York lawmakers advanced legislation guaranteeing workers' access to their employment file, Connecticut legislators sent a sweeping artificial intelligence bill to the governor's desk, and the California Senate approved a bill limiting AI’s role in disciplinary decisions. Here's Law360's biweekly look at notable state-level legislative developments discrimination lawyers should have on their radar.

  • May 29, 2026

    4 Argument Sessions Bias Attys Should Watch In June

    The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission will head to the Fifth Circuit to defend its trial win in a harassment lawsuit against an airline, and then appear before the Ninth Circuit to argue for the reinstatement of a disability discrimination suit against a financial services company. Here's a look at a quartet of oral arguments that discrimination attorneys should keep tabs on in June.

  • May 29, 2026

    U. Of Oregon Women Athletes Denied Class Cert. In Bias Suit

    An Oregon federal judge has ruled that four proposed classes of women athletes accusing the University of Oregon of treating them unequally compared with men did not meet class certification criteria but said certifying another group later was possible.

  • May 29, 2026

    UAW, Auto Parts Maker Escape Race Discrimination Suit

    The United Auto Workers and an auto parts manufacturer defeated a Black former forklift driver's lawsuit alleging his union failed to adequately represent him when he was fired for complaining that a white colleague used a racial slur, with an Ohio federal judge ruling he filed his claims too late.

  • May 29, 2026

    U. Of Mich. Surgeon Sues Over Teaching Suspension

    A University of Michigan surgeon has sued the school's Board of Regents and a department chair, claiming they suspended him from teaching over protected classroom speech and retaliated against him for prior lawsuits claiming age discrimination and other misconduct.

  • May 29, 2026

    Calif. Forecast: Phillips 66 Seeks Toss Of Standby Shifts Suit

    In the week ahead, attorneys should watch for a motion to dismiss hearing in a proposed wage and hour class action against oil refinery company Phillips 66. Here's a look at that case and other labor and employment matters on deck in California.

  • May 29, 2026

    CNN Strikes Tentative Deal To End Breastfeeding Bias Case

    CNN America and a former worker who claimed she was unlawfully denied a proper place to pump breast milk on the job told a D.C. federal court they had agreed on the broad strokes of a deal to resolve her suit.  

  • May 29, 2026

    EEOC Poised To Rescind Biden-Era Enforcement Priorities

    The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission will meet Thursday to consider retracting a Biden-era strategic enforcement plan that pledged to focus on protecting LGBTQ+ individuals, religious minorities and workers impacted by technology-related bias.

  • May 28, 2026

    Shield AI Worker Alleges Data Fraud, 'Sexual Violence' By Exec

    An employee hit Shield AI Inc. with a suit in Texas federal court Thursday, alleging the defense technology company engaged in data fraud, allowed a company executive to perpetuate "egregious acts of sexual violence," and retaliated against him after he spoke up.

  • May 28, 2026

    11th Circ. Says Damages Caps Misconstrued In Bias Verdict

    The Eleventh Circuit ruled on Thursday that a discrimination verdict against a Miami car dealership was slashed too far when a judge chose between federal and state damages caps, saying the caps should be added together.

  • May 28, 2026

    Ex-VP Accuses Wells Fargo Of Race, Disability Bias

    A former executive hired to help oversee Wells Fargo's compliance with a federal consent order over an unauthorized account scandal has accused the bank of race and disability discrimination, saying he was retaliated against and ultimately fired after lodging internal complaints of disparate treatment of Black employees.

  • May 28, 2026

    Mail Carrier, AGs Press Justices To Hear Firefighter Vax Case

    The former mail carrier behind a 2023 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that made it harder for employers to deny religious accommodations and GOP state attorneys general are among a chorus of amici backing a bid for high court review from Washington firefighters who were denied faith-based COVID-19 vaccine exemptions. Here's a look at their arguments. 

  • May 28, 2026

    Tesla Must Face Calif. Agency's Race Bias Fight In July Trial

    A California state judge has mostly rejected Tesla Inc.'s bid for a summary judgment win in the California Civil Rights Department's lawsuit alleging the electric-auto maker has allowed racism to run rampant at its Fremont factory, sending the high-stakes civil rights dispute to a July 20 jury trial.

  • May 28, 2026

    Ex-Southwest HR Worker Alleges Race Bias, Retaliatory Firing

    A former Southwest Airlines employee has sued the airline in Illinois state court, claiming that her supervisor harassed her because of her race and that she was ultimately fired for reporting that disparate treatment, which included departures from standard discipline and various tasks she was expected to perform that her white colleagues were not.

  • May 28, 2026

    UConn Escapes Surgeon's ADA Damages Claim In Bias Suit

    A Connecticut federal judge Thursday dismissed a surgeon's discrimination lawsuit against the University of Connecticut, saying a bid for money damages was barred by sovereign immunity and that a state employment law claim could only be heard in state court, though the doctor is allowed to retool her case.

  • May 28, 2026

    Arkansas Hospital Must Face EEOC's Male Bias Suit

    An Arkansas hospital can't escape a U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission lawsuit alleging that two doctors refused to let a male medical assistant help with childbirth, with a federal judge ruling Thursday that a jury should weigh whether the hospital used patient privacy concerns as cover for bias.

  • May 28, 2026

    Fla. Justices Say Ex-Power Co. Welder Didn't Prove Retaliation

    The Florida Supreme Court rejected a welder's appeal alleging that a power company terminated him in retaliation for blowing the whistle on unsafe work conditions, ruling Thursday he didn't prove beyond a subjective belief that his former employer violated the law. 

  • May 28, 2026

    EEOC Urges 11th Circ. To Restore Sex Harassment Verdict

    The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission said the Eleventh Circuit should reinstate a jury win for a female former host of a Georgia restaurant who claimed that managers failed to stop male coworkers' lewd behavior toward her, faulting the trial court for minimizing the men's conduct.

  • May 28, 2026

    EEOC Set To Scrap Decades-Old Affirmative Action Guidance

    The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is seeking to roll back guidance outlining how employers can voluntarily implement affirmative action plans that comply with federal civil rights law.

  • May 28, 2026

    2nd Circ. Grapples With Arbitration Shield In Atty's Bias Suit

    A Second Circuit panel closely examined Thursday whether a former Thompson Hine LLP partner's lawsuit falls within the scope of federal law nullifying arbitration agreements in cases of sexual harassment, with one judge signaling some skepticism that the statute applies.

  • May 28, 2026

    7th Circ. Backs Benefits Co.'s Win In Race Bias, Pay Suit

    The Seventh Circuit affirmed a medical benefits management company's win in a Black former business analyst's suit alleging she was denied higher pay and promotions because of her race, saying she failed to show the company's stated reasons were a cover for discrimination.

  • May 28, 2026

    DC Restaurant Owner Fired Pregnant Manager, EEOC Says

    A Washington, D.C., restaurant owner pressured a manager to stop working while pregnant and fired her because she asked for a two-week extension to her maternity leave, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission alleged in federal court.

  • May 27, 2026

    NFL's High Court Loss Is Lesson For Fair Employee Contracts

    The NFL's failed bid at the U.S. Supreme Court to resolve a former coach's racial discrimination claims via arbitration serves as a warning to businesses seeking to draft employment contracts with few options and limited rights for workers.

  • May 27, 2026

    West Point Prof. Wins Speech Injunction Over Approval Rule

    A New York federal court has blocked West Point from requiring civilian faculty to get permission before using their school affiliation in external engagements involving their area of expertise, finding a civilian professor will likely prevail in his First Amendment challenge.

Expert Analysis

  • How To Balance AI Adoption With Employee Privacy Risks

    Excerpt from Practical Guidance
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    As artificial intelligence transforms the workplace, organizations must learn to leverage AI's capabilities while safeguarding against employee privacy risks and complying with a complex web of regulations, including by vetting vendors, mitigating employee misuse and establishing a governance framework, say attorneys at Jackson Lewis.

  • How Ending OFCCP Will Affect Affirmative Action Obligations

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    As President Donald Trump's administration plans to eliminate the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, which enforces federal contractor antidiscrimination compliance and affirmative action program obligations, contractors should consider the best compliance approaches available to them, especially given the False Claims Act implications, say attorneys at Ogletree.

  • Employer Best Practices For Navigating Worker Separations

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    As job cuts hit several major industries, employers should take steps to minimize their exposure to discrimination claims, information leaks and enforcement challenges, such as maintaining sound documentation, strategic planning and legal coordination, says Mark Romance at Day Pitney.

  • Employer Tips For Responding To ICE In The Workplace

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    Increased immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump's administration has left employers struggling to balance their compliance obligations with their desire to provide a safe workplace, so creating a thorough response plan and training for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's presence at the workplace is crucial, say attorneys at Hanson Bridgett.

  • Handbook Hot Topics: Shifting Worker Accommodation Rules

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    Since President Donald Trump took office, many changes have directly affected how employers must address accommodation requests, particularly those concerning pregnancy-related medical conditions and religious beliefs, underscoring the importance of regularly reviewing and updating accommodation policies and procedures, say attorneys at Kutak Rock.

  • Shifting DEI Expectations Put Banks In Legal Crosshairs

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    The Trump administration's rollbacks on DEI-friendly policies create something of a regulatory catch-22 for banks, wherein strict compliance would contradict established statutory and administrative mandates regarding access to credit for disadvantaged communities, say attorneys at Husch Blackwell.

  • Compliance Tips After Court Axes EEOC's Trans Rights Take

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    A Texas federal court's recent decision struck portions of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's 2024 guidance pertaining to sexual orientation and gender identity under Title VII, barring their use nationwide and leaving employers unsure about how to proceed in their compliance efforts, say attorneys at Dorsey & Whitney.

  • 5 Insurance Claims That Could Emerge After NCAA Settlement

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    Following the recent NCAA class action settlement that will allow revenue sharing with college athletes, there may be potential management liability for universities, their executive leadership and boards that could expose insurers to tax, regulatory, breach of contract and other claims, says Sarah Abrams at Baleen Specialty.

  • 8th Circ. Ruling Highlights Complicated Remote Work Analysis

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    The Eighth Circuit’s recent opinion in Kuklenski v. Medtronic USA demonstrates that the applicability of employment laws to remote workers is often a fact-driven analysis, highlighting several parameters to consider when evaluating what state and local laws may apply to employees who work remotely, say attorneys at Vedder Price.

  • Philly Law Initiates New Era Of Worker Protections

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    A new worker protection law in Philadelphia includes, among other measures, a private right of action and recordkeeping requirements that may amount to a lower evidentiary standard, introducing a new level of accountability and additional noncompliance risks for employers, say attorneys at Morgan Lewis.

  • Justices' Ruling Lowers Bar For Reverse Discrimination Suits

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    The U.S. Supreme Court's unanimous opinion in Ames v. Ohio Department of Youth Services, lowering the evidentiary burden for plaintiffs bringing so-called reverse discrimination claims, may lead to more claims brought by majority group employees — and open the door to legal challenges to employer diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, say attorneys at Ice Miller.

  • 4 Midyear Employer Actions To Reinforce Compliance

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    The legal and political landscape surrounding what the government describes as unlawful diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives has become increasingly complex over the past six months, and the midyear juncture presents a strategic opportunity to reinforce commitments to legal integrity, workplace equity and long-term operational resilience, say attorneys at Krevolin & Horst.

  • Proposed State AI Rule Ban Could Alter Employer Compliance

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    A proposal in the congressional budget bill that would ban state and local enforcement of laws and regulations governing artificial intelligence may offer near-term clarity by freezing conflicting rules, but long-term planning would remain difficult for employers seeking safe, lawful AI deployment strategies, say attorneys at Fisher Phillips.