À¶Ý®ÊÓÆµ

Discrimination

  • September 16, 2025

    Airline Staffing Co. Must Face Most Of Breastfeeding Bias Suit

    A company providing staff and support to airlines at Pittsburgh International Airport must face most of a former agent's claims it retaliated against her for seeking time to pump breast milk at work, a Pennsylvania federal judge ruled Monday.

  • September 16, 2025

    5th Circ. Won't Reinstate IT Workers' $70M Race Bias Verdict

    The Fifth Circuit on Tuesday refused to bring back a $70 million jury award for a group of former telecommunications workers in a race discrimination suit, saying a trial court judge rightly concluded that the evidence didn't back it up.

  • September 16, 2025

    EEOC Says Assisted Care Co. Illegally Fired Pregnant Worker

    An assisted living facility wrongfully terminated an employee because she asked to avoid lifting anything on the job that was over 20 pounds while she was pregnant, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission claimed in Illinois federal court.

  • September 15, 2025

    Ousted Public Defender's Bias Suit Meets Skeptical Judge

    A Connecticut judge on Monday seemed skeptical of a former chief state public defender's challenge to her ouster, questioning whether the lawyer could support her claim that the Public Defender Services Commission should have called live witnesses to testify during an administrative hearing that led to her termination.

  • September 15, 2025

    Trans Hog Farm Worker Settles Bias Suit That EEOC Dropped

    An Illinois federal judge officially closed the book on a sexual harassment dispute between a transgender former hog farm worker and the business on Monday, approving a court clerk's judgment acknowledging the parties' settlement following employment regulators' exit from the case.

  • September 15, 2025

    Co. Unlawfully Withheld Worker's Apprentice Role, EEOC says

    An automotive parts supplier unlawfully refused to let a worker continue an apprenticeship because she was a woman in her 60s with fibromyalgia, causing her to lose out on higher pay and employment opportunities, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission alleged Monday in Michigan federal court.

  • September 15, 2025

    Mich. Ordered To Clarify Stance On Clinic's Trans Care Policy

    A federal magistrate judge on Monday ordered Michigan civil rights enforcers to clarify in discovery responses whether a Christian medical clinic's opposition to gender-affirming care violates the state's antidiscrimination law.

  • September 15, 2025

    Alsup Says February Firings Of Federal Workers Were Illegal

    A California federal judge has ruled that it was illegal for the U.S. Office of Personnel Management to initiate a mass termination of federal workers, but didn't order their reinstatement, saying the U.S. Supreme Court would intervene and the fired employees "have moved on with their lives."

  • September 15, 2025

    Tesla Favors Foreign Workers Over US Citizens, Court Told

    Tesla discriminates against American workers by giving a leg up to H-1B visa holders whom the company underpays, according to a suit brought in California federal court by two U.S. citizens who said they unsuccessfully sought jobs at the electric vehicle maker.

  • September 15, 2025

    Calif. Legislators OK Requiring Oversight Of Workplace AI

    The California Senate has approved a bill that would restrict how employers can use tools powered by artificial intelligence to make employment decisions, sending the legislation to Gov. Gavin Newsom's desk despite opposition from business groups.

  • September 15, 2025

    Disney Workers Get Final OK On $43M Gender Bias Deal

    A California judge granted final approval Monday of Disney's $43.25 million class action settlement with over 15,000 female midlevel managers over allegations the entertainment giant paid them less than their male colleagues.

  • September 15, 2025

    Cozen O'Connor Picks Up 2 Jackson Lewis Attys In Philly

    Cozen O'Connor is expanding its employment law resources in Philadelphia with the additions of two attorneys who have moved their practices from Jackson Lewis PC.

  • September 15, 2025

    PF Chang's Inks $80K Deal In EEOC Religious Bias Probe

    P.F. Chang's will pay a job applicant $80,000 after a U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission investigation found support for the would-be employee's claim that the company didn't hire him because he requested not to work on Sundays, the EEOC said Monday.

  • September 15, 2025

    Ex-Epstein Prosecutor Maurene Comey Sues DOJ Over Firing

    Maurene Comey, a former Manhattan federal prosecutor who brought high-profile criminal cases against the likes of Jeffrey Epstein and Sean "Diddy" Combs, sued the Justice Department on Monday alleging her abrupt July firing came "solely or substantially" because she is the daughter of former FBI Director James Comey, a Trump critic.

  • September 15, 2025

    DC Water Utility Illegally Pushed Out Older Worker, EEOC Says

    The District of Columbia's water utility ran afoul of age discrimination law when it abruptly fired a 54-year-old human resources employee, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission said in a lawsuit.

  • September 15, 2025

    EEOC Fails To Get Court Approval For Pregnancy Bias Deal

    A Pennsylvania federal judge refused for a second time to greenlight a $30,000 settlement between the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and a child advocacy organization the agency accused of pregnancy discrimination, expressing concerns about the deal's propriety.

  • September 12, 2025

    Taylor Swift Will Only Sit For 'It Ends With Us' Depo If 'Forced'

    Taylor Swift's counsel at Venable LLP told a Manhattan federal judge Friday that the pop superstar has not agreed to be deposed in actress Blake Lively's defamation case against her "It Ends With Us" co-star Justin Baldoni, but could do so the week of Oct. 20 "if she is forced."

  • September 12, 2025

    6th Circ. Backs Kent State In Prof's Trans Bias Suit

    The Sixth Circuit ruled Friday that Kent State University backtracked on a promotion promised to a transgender professor because of insulting tweets and emails directed at colleagues, not because of their gender identity.

  • September 12, 2025

    6th Circ. Backs University In Ex-HR Director's Retaliation Suit

    The Sixth Circuit on Friday upheld the dismissal of a white former human resources director's lawsuit claiming the University of Toledo fired her for opposing a colleague's promotion, saying the four-month gap between her complaint and termination was too much to support a retaliation suit.

  • September 12, 2025

    Chicago Teachers Union Beats Teacher's Race Bias Suit

    The Chicago Teachers Union won't have to face a lawsuit alleging that it discriminated against a teacher by not pursuing four grievances she filed, an Illinois federal judge ruled Friday, saying she did not put forward evidence connecting the union's inaction to her race or national origin and has "done nothing more than speculate."

  • September 12, 2025

    Employment Lawyers' Weekly DEI Cheat Sheet

    A Fourth Circuit panel appeared reluctant to uphold a Maryland federal judge's injunction that blocked key parts of two executive orders by President Donald Trump targeting workplace diversity, equity and inclusion programs, and newspaper publisher Gannett largely defeated a proposed class action alleging its DEI practices disadvantaged white workers. Here, À¶Ý®ÊÓÆµ looks at notable DEI-related legal developments so far this month.

  • September 12, 2025

    3rd Circ. Backs Philly School In Worker's COVID Leave Suit

    A former Philadelphia school employee resigned rather than being fired, the Third Circuit said Friday, affirming a federal court decision tossing his suit claiming he was discriminated against for refusing to get the coronavirus vaccine because of his religious beliefs.

  • September 12, 2025

    New Orleans Fired Director For Reporting Fraud, Suit Says

    The city of New Orleans fired a workforce director out of retaliation for repeatedly raising concerns that employees were committing payroll fraud and misappropriating cash from a COVID-19 federal aid package, according to her suit filed in Louisiana federal court.

  • September 12, 2025

    Va. City Attorney Tells 4th Circ. He's Immune From FMLA Suit

    A Virginia federal judge erred by allowing a Family and Medical Leave Act suit against a municipal attorney to head to trial, the attorney said Friday, asking the Fourth Circuit to hold that he is immune from suit.

  • September 12, 2025

    Calif. Forecast: Google Wants Worker-Protesters' Suit Tossed

    In the coming week, attorneys should watch for a dismissal bid hearing in a proposed discrimination class action against Google by a group of former employees who staged protests. Here's a look at that case and other labor and employment matters on deck in California.

Expert Analysis

  • 10 Issues To Watch In Aerospace And Defense Contracting

    Author Photo

    This year, in addition to evergreen developments driven by national security priorities, disruptive new technologies and competition with rival powers, federal contractors will see significant disruptions driven by the new administration’s efforts to reduce government spending, regulation and the size of the federal workforce, say attorneys at Thompson Hine.

  • Undoing An American Ideal Of Fairness

    Author Photo

    President Donald Trump’s orders attacking birthright citizenship, civil rights education, and diversity, equity and inclusion programs threaten hard-won constitutional civil rights protections and decades of efforts to undo bias in the law — undermining what Chief Justice Earl Warren called "our American ideal of fairness," says Reuben Guttman at Guttman Buschner.

  • Employer Tips For Wise Use Of Workers' Biometrics And Tech

    Excerpt from
    Author Photo

    Employers that collect employee biometric data and operate bring-your-own-device policies, which respectively offer better corporate security and more flexibility for workers, should prioritize certain best practices to protect the privacy and rights of employees and safeguard sensitive internal information, says Douglas Yang at Sheppard Mullin.

  • Unprecedented Firings And The EEOC's Shifting Agenda

    Author Photo

    While President Donald Trump's unprecedented firing of Democratic Equal Employment Opportunity Commission members put an end to the party's voting majority, the move raises legal issues, as well as considerations related to the EEOC's lack of a quorum and shifting regulatory priorities, says Ally Coll at the Purple Method.

  • What Trump Admin's Anti-DEI Push Means For FCA Claims

    Author Photo

    President Donald Trump's recent rescission of a 60-year-old executive order imposing nondiscrimination requirements on certain federal contractors has far-reaching implications, including potential False Claims Act liability for contractors and grant recipients who fail to comply, though it may be a challenge for the government to successfully establish liability, say attorneys at Bass Berry.

  • It Starts With Training: Anti-Harassment After 'It Ends With Us'

    Author Photo

    Actress Blake Lively's recent sexual harassment and retaliation allegations against her "It Ends With Us" co-star, director and producer, Justin Baldoni, should remind employers of their legal obligations to implement trainings, policies and other measures to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace, say attorneys at Morrison Cohen.

  • What Day 1 Bondi Memos Mean For Corporate Compliance

    Author Photo

    After Attorney General Pam Bondi’s flurry of memos last week declaring new enforcement priorities on issues ranging from foreign bribery to diversity initiatives, companies must base their compliance programs on an understanding of their own core values and principles, says Hui Chen at CDE Advisors.

  • 5 Things For Private Employers To Do After Trump's DEI Order

    Author Photo

    Following President Donald Trump's recent executive order pushing the private sector to narrow, and even end, diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, employers should ensure DEI efforts align with their organization's mission and goals, are legally compliant, and are effectively communicated to stakeholders, say attorneys at Mintz.

  • Zuckerberg's Remarks Pose Legal Risk For Meta Amid Layoffs

    Author Photo

    Within days of announcing that Meta Platforms will cut 5% of its lowest-performing employees, Mark Zuckerberg remarked that corporations are becoming "culturally neutered" and need to bring back "masculine energy," exposing the company to potential claims under California employment law, says Andi Mazingo at Lumen Law Center.

  • Preparing For A Possible End To The Subminimum Wage

    Author Photo

    The U.S. Department of Labor's proposed rule to end the subminimum wage for employees with disabilities may significantly affect the community-based rehabilitation and training programs that employ these workers, so certified programs should be especially vigilant about compliance during this period of evaluation and scrutiny, say attorneys at Jackson Lewis.

  • Water Cooler Talk: 'Harry Potter' Reveals Magic Of Feedback

    Author Photo

    Troutman Pepper's Tracey Diamond and Emily Schifter chat with Wicker Park Group partner Tara Weintritt about various feedback methods used by "Harry Potter" characters — from Snape's sharp and cutting remarks to Dumbledore's lack of specificity and Hermione's poor delivery — and explore how clear, consistent and actionable feedback can transform workplaces.

  • What To Expect From Trump's Deputy Labor Secretary Pick

    Author Photo

    President Donald Trump's nominee for deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor, Keith Sonderling, has a track record of prioritizing clear guidance on both traditional and cutting-edge issues, which can provide insight into what employers can expect from his leadership, say attorneys at Littler.

  • A Look At Order Ending Federal Contractor Affirmative Action

    Author Photo

    To comply with President Donald Trump's executive order revoking affirmative action requirements in the next 90 days, federal contractors should focus on identification of protected groups, responsibilities of "diversity officer" positions and annual compliance reviews, says Jeremy Burkhart at Holland & Knight.