February 2017 E-UPDATE
Universal Schedule Change Was Not Unlawful FMLA Interference
An employer’s decision to implement a universal rotating shift schedule while an employee was out on Family and Medical Leave Act Leave did not constitute unlawful interference with the employee’s FMLA rights, even though the employee was the one most impacted by the change, according to a Maryland federal court…Read More
Federal Contractors Required to Provide Privacy Training
A new final rule requires federal contractors and subcontractors with contracts involving personally identifiable information (PII) or any “system of records” (that allows for retrieval of information by an individual’s name or other personally identifiable characteristic) to provide privacy training to employees who handle or have access to such information…Read More
Unlawful Interrogations Under the National Labor Relations Act
A recent case reminds employers of the importance of complying with the strict requirements regarding employee interviews in the context of defending against an unfair labor practice (ULP) charge…Read More
Employee Requesting Religious Accommodation Must Still Follow Leave Policy
Employees eligible for leave as a religious accommodation are still required to comply with company policies governing leave requests, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit (which covers Md., Va., W.Va., N.C. and S.C.) recently held…Read More
Individual Managers May Be Liable Under Section 1981
Individual managers should be aware that they may be held personally liable for race discrimination under Section 1981, as a recent case illustrates…Read More
Employer Avoided Liability by Prompt Response to Harassment Complaint
Although the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit confirmed that racially offensive conduct by co-workers does not need to be targeted at a specific employee in order to create a hostile work environment under Title VII, the Court nonetheless found that the employer was not liable for such conduct where it responded promptly and effectively to the harassment complaints. To…Read More
Updated Disability Self-Identification Form for Federal Contractors
The Office of Management and Budget has released an updated version of the “Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability” form that federal contractors and sub-contractors are required to use for applicants and employees…Read More
Shifting Explanations Support Discrimination Claim
Maryland federal case emphasizes the need for employers to be thorough and honest in offering reasons for an employee’s termination…Read More
TOP TIP: Employer’s Obligation to Seek More Information Regarding FMLA Request
Employers should be careful about automatically denying a request for leave to care for a family member under the Family and Medical Leave Act because the family member in question is apparently not a spouse, parent or child, as a recent case emphasizes…Read More
