The EEOC is suing Freeman, an events marketing company, challenging the legitimacy of the company’s use of criminal background checks in hiring. Although the company’s screening process applies to all applicants, the EEOC claims the criminal checks have a discriminatory impact on Hispanic, Black and male applicants. Freeman defends them as job related and consistent
Elizabeth Torphy-Donzella
Religious Accommodation in the Workplace
An employee has requested a religious accommodation – do you need to grant it? Federal and state anti-discrimination laws require employers to provide reasonable accommodation for the religious practices and beliefs of employees, but relieves companies of the obligation if doing so will cause an undue hardship on the business.
Accommodations might include modified schedules,…
SSDI Recipient’s ADA Claim Foreclosed
Posted in Employee Leave (FMLA and ADA), Litigation
According to a recent article in the Wall Street Journal, the cost of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits has skyrocketed. In 2010, U.S. workers paid $104 million into the program, while far more – $127.7 billion – was paid out in benefits. Much of this is due to expanded definitions of disability, but…
Maryland Passes Facebook Protection Law
MYOB about my Facebook Page!! That is what the Maryland General Assembly said when it recently passed legislation barring employers from requiring employees or applicants to turn over passwords needed to access social media and other private websites. Governor Martin O’Malley is expected to sign the bill, which will take effect on October 1, 2012. …