Articles Posted in Discrimination and Unlawful Harassment

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On Wednesday, the Attorney General issued a memo titled “Ending Illegal DEI and DEIA Discrimination and Preferences,” a move poised to send ripples through the private and educational sectors. Aligned with President Trump’s Executive Order on January 21, 2025, this directive targets diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI), and diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) practices that discriminate based on race or sex. Employers must act now to ensure compliance and avoid potential legal challenges. Continue reading

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I just had to write about a federal court decision from earlier in 2024 that I finally got around to reading. It serves as a critical reminder for employers: All complaints about a hostile work environment must be taken seriously—even when they involve a comedian hired to entertain at a company event. Continue reading

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Earlier this week, I searched for LGBTQ+ resources on the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) website. On Google, I found a page titled “Moving Towards Equality in the Workplace for LGBTQI+ Employees.” But when I clicked the link, I got an error message: “The requested page could not be found.” The same thing happened with several other links.

Now I know why. Continue reading

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According to multiple reports, including NPR and Reuters, President Trump has taken decisive action to reshape key federal labor and employment agencies, removing several high-profile officials. Among those dismissed are National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo and U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) General Counsel Karla Gilbride—moves that, while significant, were widely expected.

But President Trump hasn’t stopped there.

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Last night, I came across a court decision that raised some eyebrows. The case involved a black employee who alleged that his white supervisor used racial slurs, including the n-word, and that the same slur was found written on a bathroom wall. He reported harassment and felt that his concerns were ignored. So, the employee claimed a hostile work environment.

You’d think the employee might win, right? But the court sided with the employer. Continue reading

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In a recent decision, the First Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a lower court’s dismissal of a religious discrimination claim. The case involved an employee terminated for refusing a COVID-19 vaccination due to her religious beliefs.

Yes, I get it—COVID-19 cases may feel like old news. But stick with me because this decision carries a vital lesson: Employers should focus on accommodating employees’ beliefs rather than questioning their sincerity.

The Backstory

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ICYMI, President Trump has issued an Executive Order titled “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity.” This order aims to eliminate illegal discrimination and preferences based on race and sex in federal policies and practices, with significant implications for private businesses. Here’s what human resources professionals, employment lawyers, and business owners need to know about it: Continue reading

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Yesterday, President Trump appointed Andrea Lucas as the Acting Chair of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), signaling notable changes for the agency tasked with enforcing federal anti-discrimination laws in the workplace. Lucas brings a clear set of priorities to address workplace discrimination. Here’s what HR professionals, employment lawyers, and business owners should know about them

1. Rights of Individuals > Group Outcomes

Lucas advocates for balanced enforcement of employment civil rights laws. She believes the EEOC’s role is to protect the rights of individuals, not to measure justice by group outcomes. This approach emphasizes that civil rights laws should be applied equally to everyone, regardless of their background. “I intend to dispel the notion that only the ‘right sort of’ charging party is welcome through our doors,” said Lucas.

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