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The Employer Handbook BlogWant to see me testify today on harassment and sexual misconduct in the workplace? Here’s how…
Ad Meskens [Attribution, CC BY-SA 3.0 or GFDL], from Wikimedia Commons
Articles Posted in Pennsylvania
Bookmark This: Starbucks and a lesson on leadership and accountability
Screenshot taken from https://news.starbucks.com/views/a-follow-up-message-from-starbucks-ceo-in-philadelphia
Starbucks was riding a pretty good HR streak in 2018. Among other things, the coffee giant had attained 100% gender and racial equality and announced investments in paid leave. Yep, things were lookin’ really good for Starbucks.
Then, last week, things got really bad. Continue reading
Lawsuit: No, it’s not okay to access a vacationing co-worker’s social media at the office
Facebook Mobile Texting Smartphone Facebook Lite (Image Credit: http://maxpixel.freegreatpicture.com/Facebook-Mobile-Texting-Smartphone-Facebook-Lite-3021068)
During a week-long vacation from work, a Pennsylvania woman claims that some colleagues logged into her Facebook account from work and reviewed her Facebook Messenger messages, among other things. The woman further claims that when she returned to work from vacation, her employer fired her because “things had come to light.”
And now she’s suing in federal court.
The first cannabis stores in PA are opening. It’s time to re-educate employers on what that means.
Image Credit: Pixabay.com
It’s been a while since we addressed the legalization of medical marijuana in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and what that means for employers. It was about two years ago to be precise.
Last October, I presented on this topic at the SHRM Lehigh Valley “annual” October Conference. But, many of you weren’t there. And, with the first medical marijuana dispensaries opening for business this weekend, this seems like as good a time as any to update my Pennsylvania peeps on what that means for your workplace.
(The rest of you can connect with me on LinkedIn.) Continue reading
In hindsight, maybe re-hiring the guy who allegedly drugged and assaulted a female co-worker was a bad choice.
Image Credit: Pexels.com
You know what? Strike that. Milk was a bad choice.
When a car dealership allegedly rehired the guy who supposedly drugged and assaulted a female co-worker — now the plaintiff in this action — it bought itself a viable hostile work environment claim. Continue reading
What does it take to be individually liable for discrimination? A lot.
Image Credit: Photofunia.com
Most discrimination lawsuits involve a single, individual plaintiff and, on the other side of the “v,” a company as the sole defendant. But, sometimes, that plaintiff will name additional individual defendants too, such as a manager, supervisor, or even someone from Human Resources.
When that happens, what are the chances that the individual will end up legally responsible with the plaintiff prevails at trial?
I love the smell of Sour Patch Kids and the False Claims Act
You know, I don’t think we’ve ever discussed the False Claims Act here at The Employer Handbook.
I don’t think we’ve discussed crowded clown cars either. And, while clowns may pique more interest, alas, this is an employment-law blog. So, I suppose we’ll enjoy our first taste of FCA together.
Kinda tastes like Sour Patch Kids. Continue reading
LGBT bias costs one employer the maximum amount allowed by law
Hi there.
Did you have a nice Thanksgiving?
Notwithstanding Thursday’s feast, I rallied hard over the weekend. Indeed, I needed my energy up to check some boxes on my older daughter’s Christmas list. (She claims that number one is commonplace in Canada. I’m not so sure).
But, I’m taking a break from the shopping to wax employment law for you. Today, I want to get into LGBT rights at work. Continue reading
New bill would ban confidential settlements of sexual harassment claims in Pennsylvania
One of your supervisors has just been accused of sexual harassment. Rather than spend the money to litigate the case, your company decides to settle. Let’s go through the standard provisions:
- Settlement payment
- General release
- Non-admission
- Mutual non-disparagement
- Mutual confidentiality
Ah, not so fast on that last one if your business is in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Continue reading
VP of HR fired for a Trump tweet still manages to collect unemployment benefits
Back in 2016, Kathleen M. Jungclaus was the full-time Vice President of Human Resources for a Pennsylvania continuing care retirement community. She had worked for the company since 2007.
On July 24, 2016, Ms. Junclaus went on her personal Twitter page and tweeted: “@realDonaldTrump I am the VP of HR in a comp outside of philly [sic] an informal survey of our employees shows 100% AA employees voting Trump!”
A little over two months later, Ms. Junclaus found herself unemployed and applying for benefits. Continue reading