Discrimination

  • May 07, 2025

    Illinois Seeks Exit From Suit Over Demographic Data Law

    Illinois asked a federal judge to toss a lawsuit brought by a group called the American Alliance for Equal Rights that seeks to block the state from enforcing a law requiring nonprofits to publicize their demographic data, saying the organization has no standing to bring the claims.

  • May 07, 2025

    NY Legal Aid Union Accused Of Antisemitism At NLRB, EEOC

    A United Auto Workers affiliate representing attorneys at a New York legal services organization violated federal laws when the union thwarted antisemitism measures in the workplace, a nonprofit alleged Wednesday in announcing charges it filed at the National Labor Relations Board and U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

  • May 07, 2025

    9th Circ. Axes Fired University Worker's 1st Amendment Fight

    The Ninth Circuit on Wednesday refused to revive a lawsuit claiming two former University of Arizona officials fired a health sciences employee because of his husband's criticisms of a hiring process, saying the administrators are immune from the worker's free speech claim.

  • May 07, 2025

    Similar Federal Suit Found To Bar A&M Texarkana Bias Case

    A state appeals court has said Texas A&M University-Texarkana could escape an employment discrimination lawsuit brought by a former employee, ruling that his claims are barred by a nearly identical suit he previously filed in federal court.

  • May 07, 2025

    6th Circ. Weighs Muldrow's Impact On Prof.'s Trans Bias Suit

    The Sixth Circuit wrestled Wednesday with whether the U.S. Supreme Court's landmark Muldrow decision warrants giving a transgender Kent State University professor a second chance at lawsuit alleging a promised promotion was revoked because of their gender identity.

  • May 07, 2025

    Veterinary Pathologist's Pay Bias Suit Teed Up For Trial

    A New Jersey federal judge said a jury needs to probe a veterinary pathologist's claims that an animal health company unlawfully paid her less than two male co-workers, ruling there isn't enough proof to definitely say whether they performed equal work.

  • May 07, 2025

    2nd Circ. Backs NYC Win In IT Worker's Bias, Retaliation Suit

    A former New York City telecommunications employee cannot revive her lawsuit alleging she was pushed out after managers scheduled meetings during her lunch because she reported a supervisor's inappropriate touching, the Second Circuit ruled Wednesday, saying there's no evidence the managers knew her migraines necessitated a specific lunch break.

  • May 07, 2025

    6th Circ. Seems Hesitant To Revive UMich Law Prof's Bias Suit

    The Sixth Circuit appeared skeptical Wednesday about reopening a Black University of Michigan Law School professor's suit alleging she was unlawfully disciplined after she complained about race discrimination, with the panel questioning if she adequately refuted the school's nondiscriminatory reasons for its action.

  • May 07, 2025

    Facility Support Co. Settles Fired Worker's Race Bias Suit

    A maintenance and facility support company has agreed to settle a Black former worker's suit claiming she was pushed out of her supervisory role to make space for a white employee, according to a Wednesday filing in Georgia federal court.

  • May 07, 2025

    Home Retailer Agrees To End EEOC Disability Bias Probe

    A manufactured homes dealer in Oregon agreed to update its antidiscrimination policies to resolve a U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission investigation into claims that it fired an employee for requesting a schedule change because of her disability.

  • May 07, 2025

    Mental Health Group Failed To Rein In Harasser, EEOC Says

    A mental health organization stood by while a male supervisor harassed female co-workers with unwanted hugs and sexual comments, costing one worker her job after his behavior triggered her mental health disorders, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission told a North Carolina federal court.

  • May 07, 2025

    Trump Taps Assistant US Atty To Join EEOC

    President Donald Trump has nominated an assistant U.S. attorney in Florida to fill one of the three open seats on the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

  • May 06, 2025

    Potential For DEI-Related Suits Vexes Employers, Report Says

    Businesses are increasingly worried about facing litigation centering on their diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives amid the Trump administration's vocal opposition to DEI, but employers aren't in a rush to overhaul workplace diversity programs, according to a new report issued by Littler Mendelson PC.

  • May 06, 2025

    Indian IT Co. Can't Nix White Ex-Worker's American Bias Suit

    A New Jersey federal judge declined to toss a white American worker's bias suit claiming he was laid off from an information technology company that favored Indian and South Asian workers, ruling the business can't dodge the complaint even if it mirrors allegations brought by another employee.

  • May 06, 2025

    Marriott Accused Of Revoking Sabbath Accommodation In Fla.

    The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is suing Marriott for alleged religious discrimination in Florida federal court, alleging an employee was forced to resign after her managers rescinded her Sabbath accommodation and required her to work on Saturdays.

  • May 06, 2025

    10th Circ. Backs Army In Explosives Supervisor's Bias Suit

    The Tenth Circuit declined Tuesday to revive an age and gender bias suit from a U.S. Army explosives supervisor who said she was unlawfully denied a promotion, ruling she failed to overcome the Army's argument that a poor interview stopped her from moving up.

  • May 06, 2025

    11th Circ. Seems Open To Reviving Coal Workers' Bias Suit

    The Eleventh Circuit on Tuesday appeared inclined to reinstate a race discrimination suit brought against a coal company by two Black former employees, with one judge saying the case could present two narratives for jurors to sort out.

  • May 06, 2025

    Technician's Bias Suit Against Union, Studios Tossed For Now

    A New York federal judge Tuesday tossed an electrical technician's suit accusing an entertainment industry union local of employing admissions and job referral practices that discriminate against Black and Latino applicants seeking work at major production studios.

  • May 06, 2025

    Jay-Z Claims Atty Buzbee's Conspiracy Extends To NY Lawyer

    Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter expanded his malicious prosecution claims against attorney Tony Buzbee over a rape suit that has since been dropped to also target a New York personal injury lawyer over what the music mogul alleged was a conspiracy to coerce him into paying off their client.

  • May 06, 2025

    McCarter & English Pushes To End Ex-Atty's Firing Suit

    McCarter & English LLP has urged a New Jersey state court to toss an anti-veteran discrimination suit from a former firm attorney and Navy SEAL this week, arguing the lawyer is unsuccessfully trying to pivot off failed claims from his original complaint in later filings.

  • May 06, 2025

    Approach The Bench: Judge Robinson On Workplace Conduct

    A long-awaited survey of judiciary employees revealed misconduct is rare within the federal judiciary, but U.S. District Judge Julie Robinson says there's still plenty of work to be done.

  • May 06, 2025

    Costco Can't Bar Harassment Probe Talk, NLRB Judge Says

    Costco unlawfully maintained overly broad rules in an investigations form and barred a North Carolina worker from talking about the outcome of her internal sexual harassment complaint, a National Labor Relations Board judge ruled, finding a clause allowing employment terms discussions did not shield the company from violating federal labor law.

  • May 06, 2025

    High Court Lets Transgender Troop Ban Take Effect

    The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday lifted a Washington federal judge's nationwide order barring implementation of the Pentagon's ban on transgender military service, allowing the controversial policy to take effect while its constitutionality is challenged.

  • May 06, 2025

    Disparate Impact Shift May Prevent EEOC Action On AI Bias

    The Trump administration's directive that federal agencies stop recognizing disparate impact discrimination will likely stymie potential U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission enforcement aimed at bias related to artificial intelligence, pushing states and private plaintiffs to the forefront of regulating workplace AI, experts say.

  • May 06, 2025

    Charter School System Settles DOJ Vaccine Bias Suit

    An Oklahoma City charter school system will pay $95,000 to end a U.S. Department of Justice suit alleging it fired a worker who refused to get a COVID-19 vaccine because of his religion, the DOJ said.

Expert Analysis

  • NWSL's $5M Player Abuse Deal Shifts Standard For Employers

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    The National Women's Soccer League's recent $5 million settlement addressing players' abuse allegations sends a powerful message to leagues, entertainment entities and employers everywhere that employee safety, accountability and transparency are no longer optional, say attorneys at Michelman & Robinson.

  • Navigating The Use Of AI Tools In Workplace Investigations

    Excerpt from Practical Guidance
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    Artificial intelligence tools can be used in workplace investigations to analyze evidence and conduct interviews, among other things, but employers should be aware of the legal and practical risks, including data privacy concerns and the potential for violating antidiscrimination laws, say attorneys at Fisher Phillips.

  • How Justices Rule On Straight Bias May Shift Worker Suits

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    Following oral argument at the U.S. Supreme Court in Ames v. Ohio Department of Youth Services, in which a heterosexual woman sued her employer for sexual orientation discrimination, the forthcoming decision may create a perfect storm for employers amid recent attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion, say attorneys at Proskauer.

  • Employer Tips To Navigate Cultural Flashpoints Investigations

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    As companies are increasingly flooded with complaints of employees violating policies related to polarizing social, cultural or political issues, employers should beware the distinct concerns and increased risk in flashpoints investigations compared to routine workplace probes, say attorneys at Seyfarth.

  • A Path Forward For Employers, Regardless Of DEI Stance

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    Whether a company views the Trump administration's executive orders ending diversity, equity and inclusion programs as a win or a loss, the change rearranges the employment hazards companies face, but not the non-DEI and nondiscriminatory economic incentive to seek the best workers, says Daniel S. Levy at Advanced Analytical Consulting Group.

  • Bias Suit Shows WNBA Growing Pains On Court And In Court

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    A newly filed disability discrimination and retaliation lawsuit against the Los Angeles Sparks is the latest in a series of employment discrimination disputes filed by WNBA professionals, highlighting teams' obligation to meet elevated workplace expectations and the league's role in facilitating an inclusive work environment, say attorneys at Michelman & Robinson.

  • 2 Areas Of Labor Law That May Change Under Trump

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    Based on President Donald Trump's recent moves, employers should expect to see significant changes in the direction of law coming out of the National Labor Relations Board, particularly in two areas where the Trump administration will seek to roll back the Biden NLRB's changes, says Daniel Johns at Cozen O’Connor.

  • Justices' Revival Ruling In Bias Suit Exceeds Procedural Issue

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    The U.S. Supreme Court's recent ruling in Waetzig v. Halliburton allowed the plaintiff in an age discrimination lawsuit to move to reopen his case after arbitration, but the seemingly straightforward decision on a procedural issue raises complex questions for employment law practitioners, says Christopher Sakauye at Dykema.

  • Water Cooler Talk: 'Late Night' Shows DEI Is More Than Optics

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    Amid the shifting legal landscape for corporate diversity, equity and inclusion programs, Troutman's Tracey Diamond and Emily Schifter chat with their firm's DEI committee chair, Nicole Edmonds, about how the 2019 film "Late Night" reflects the challenges and rewards of fostering meaningful inclusion.

  • 9 Considerations For Orgs Using AI Meeting Assistants

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    When deciding to use artificial intelligence meeting assistants, organizations must create and implement a written corporate policy that establishes the do's and don'ts for these assistants, taking into account individualized business operations, industry standards and legal and regulatory requirements, say attorneys at Faegre Drinker.

  • What's At Stake In High Court Transgender Care Suit

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    The outcome of U.S. v. Skrmetti will have critical implications for the rights of transgender youth and their access to gender-affirming care, and will likely affect other areas of law and policy involving transgender individuals, including education, employment, healthcare and civil rights, say attorneys at ArentFox Schiff.

  • Determining What 'I Don't Feel Safe' Means In The Workplace

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    When an employee tells an employer "I don't feel safe," the phrase can have different meanings, so employment lawyers must adequately investigate to identify which meaning applies — and a cursory review and dismissal of the situation may not be a sufficient defense in case of future legal proceedings, says Karen Elliott at FordHarrison.

  • How EEOC Enforcement Priorities May Change Under Trump

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    The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has already been rocked by the Trump administration's dramatic changes in personnel and policy, which calls into question how the agency may shift its direction from the priorities set forth in its five-year strategic enforcement plan in 2023, say attorneys at Seyfarth.