Articles Posted in Disability

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Yesterday, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced the release of a new fact sheet titled “Wearables in the Workplace: The Use of Wearables and Other Monitoring Technology Under Federal Employment Discrimination Laws.” This document is crucial for human resources professionals as it provides guidance on using wearable technologies in compliance with federal employment discrimination laws. Here, I’ll summarize the key points of the fact sheet and offer some essential takeaways for HR professionals.

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In the evolving landscape of remote work, many employees believe they are shielded by the laws of the state they reside in. However, a recent decision from the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey — of all places !!! — reveals a harsh reality: working remotely from another state does not necessarily entitle employees to the protections of that state’s laws. This case serves as a critical reminder of the complexities surrounding jurisdiction in employment law. Continue reading

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Last year, several media outlets reported about a lawsuit that a clothing designer who worked for Lizzo and her touring company had asserted against them and another individual. That lawsuit included several claims under state law for discrimination, retaliation, and assault, among others.

On paper, it didn’t sound good for the defendants. Continue reading

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A federal appellate court recently ruled that a university did not have to accommodate the disability of a professor seeking tenure by relaxing the tenure requirements or giving her a second chance to satisfy them.

It’s a reminder that employers can require individuals to perform the essential functions of the job and can refuse to promote (or hire) individuals who cannot meet the position’s requirements.

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As a thank you to the many readers who provided me with stellar Dallas-area BBQ recommendations, like the one featured above from Hutchins BBQ in McKinney, I’m sharing a tool that the U.S. Department of Labor recently announced to provide workers with disabilities and employers ideas for workplace accommodations. Continue reading

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The Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination against “qualified individuals with disabilities.” A qualified individual can perform the essential functions of their job with or without accommodation. While not the be-all-and-end-all, an employer’s business judgment about what job functions are essential carries substantial weight under the ADA. Still, courts often consider whether a particular job function is essential on a case-by-case basis.

Last night, I read a federal court opinion highlighting three ways employers and their managers can create uncertainty about which job functions are essential. Continue reading

“Doing What’s Right – Not Just What’s Legal”
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