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warrants giving a transgender Kent State University professor a second chance at lawsuit alleging a promised promotion was revoked because of their gender identity.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

  • What Trump Admin's Anti-DEI Push Means For FCA Claims

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    President Donald Trump's recent rescission of a 60-year-old executive order imposing nondiscrimination requirements on certain federal contractors has far-reaching implications, including potential False Claims Act liability for contractors and grant recipients who fail to comply, though it may be a challenge for the government to successfully establish liability, say attorneys at Bass Berry.

  • It Starts With Training: Anti-Harassment After 'It Ends With Us'

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    Actress Blake Lively's recent sexual harassment and retaliation allegations against her "It Ends With Us" co-star, director and producer, Justin Baldoni, should remind employers of their legal obligations to implement trainings, policies and other measures to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace, say attorneys at Morrison Cohen.

  • What Day 1 Bondi Memos Mean For Corporate Compliance

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    After Attorney General Pam Bondi’s flurry of memos last week declaring new enforcement priorities on issues ranging from foreign bribery to diversity initiatives, companies must base their compliance programs on an understanding of their own core values and principles, says Hui Chen at CDE Advisors.

  • 5 Things For Private Employers To Do After Trump's DEI Order

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    Following President Donald Trump's recent executive order pushing the private sector to narrow, and even end, diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, employers should ensure DEI efforts align with their organization's mission and goals, are legally compliant, and are effectively communicated to stakeholders, say attorneys at Mintz.

  • Zuckerberg's Remarks Pose Legal Risk For Meta Amid Layoffs

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    Within days of announcing that Meta Platforms will cut 5% of its lowest-performing employees, Mark Zuckerberg remarked that corporations are becoming "culturally neutered" and need to bring back "masculine energy," exposing the company to potential claims under California employment law, says Andi Mazingo at Lumen Law Center.

  • Preparing For A Possible End To The Subminimum Wage

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    The U.S. Department of Labor's proposed rule to end the subminimum wage for employees with disabilities may significantly affect the community-based rehabilitation and training programs that employ these workers, so certified programs should be especially vigilant about compliance during this period of evaluation and scrutiny, say attorneys at Jackson Lewis.

  • Water Cooler Talk: 'Harry Potter' Reveals Magic Of Feedback

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    Troutman Pepper's Tracey Diamond and Emily Schifter chat with Wicker Park Group partner Tara Weintritt about various feedback methods used by "Harry Potter" characters — from Snape's sharp and cutting remarks to Dumbledore's lack of specificity and Hermione's poor delivery — and explore how clear, consistent and actionable feedback can transform workplaces.

  • What To Expect From Trump's Deputy Labor Secretary Pick

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    President Donald Trump's nominee for deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor, Keith Sonderling, has a track record of prioritizing clear guidance on both traditional and cutting-edge issues, which can provide insight into what employers can expect from his leadership, say attorneys at Littler.

  • A Look At Order Ending Federal Contractor Affirmative Action

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    To comply with President Donald Trump's executive order revoking affirmative action requirements in the next 90 days, federal contractors should focus on identification of protected groups, responsibilities of "diversity officer" positions and annual compliance reviews, says Jeremy Burkhart at Holland & Knight.

  • Parsing 3rd Circ. Ruling On Cannabis, Employee Private Suits

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    The Third Circuit recently upheld a decision that individuals don't have a private right of action for alleged violations of New Jersey's Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance and Marketplace Modernization Act, but employers should stay informed as the court encouraged the state Legislature to amend the law, say attorneys at Mandelbaum Barrett.

  • EEOC Wearable Tech Guidance Highlights Monitoring Scrutiny

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    The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's recent fact sheet on wearable technologies cautions against potential issues with federal anti-discrimination laws and demonstrates growing concern from regulators and legislators about intrusive technologies in the workplace, say attorneys at Littler.

  • 4 Employment Law Areas Set To Change Under Trump

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    President Donald Trump's second term is expected to bring significant changes to the U.S. employment law landscape, including the potential for updated worker classification regulations, and challenges to diversity, equity and inclusion that are already taking shape, say attorneys at Debevoise.

  • What Employment Bias Litigation Looks Like After Muldrow

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    Nine months after the U.S. Supreme Court created an undemanding standard for discrimination claims in Muldrow v. St. Louis, Eric Schnapper at the University of Washington discusses how the Title VII litigation landscape has changed and what to expect moving forward.