February 20, 2014 (Press-News.org) Construction company settles racial harassment suit
On January 27, 2014, a construction company that conducts business around the world settled a racial harassment lawsuit filed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on behalf of one of the company's employees who worked as a technician for the company. State and federal laws prohibit racially-based harassment in workplaces, and people should be aware of how they can defend their rights in the workplace.
Employee suffered offensive treatment
The lawsuit that the EEOC filed on behalf of the employee alleged that the man, who is African American, experienced racial insults and other offensive language, graffiti and even death threats from white employees. The man had complained about the language and the graffiti, and two employees subsequently showed up at the man's house late at night, threatening to kill the man if he lodged further complaints.
The man said that he reported the threats to the company, but the company did not take any action because the threats occurred away from the workplace.
As part of the settlement, the construction company will pay $50,000. The company must also provide training on racial harassment, anti-retaliation and the proper methods for handling employee complaints of racial harassment and retaliation. The company must also report all racial discrimination and harassment complaints it receives to the EEOC.
Racial harassment laws
Employers have a duty to provide workplaces that are free from harassment for their employees. Racial harassment in the workplace is a violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. California law also prohibits racial harassment. California's Fair Employment and Housing Act offers even broader protections from racial harassment than federal law, in that it applies to employers with at least one or more employees and does not recognize some of the defenses that employers may raise under federal law. California law does not allow an employer to show that it took reasonable steps to prevent harassment and was unaware of harassment because an employee did not use the employer's reporting and investigation procedure. Protected categories are also broader under the FEHA than under federal law, so more conduct may count as harassment because of these expanded protected categories.
Protect your rights
Employees should not have to tolerate racial harassment in the workplace. Employers have legal obligations to ensure that workplaces are free from racial harassment, but they do not always meet those obligations. Employees who are victims of racial harassment do not have to suffer in silence; they have rights. If you have questions about racial harassment, speak with a skilled California employment law attorney who can discuss your options with you.
Article provided by The Armstrong Law Firm
Visit us at www.thearmstronglawfirm.com
Construction company settles racial harassment suit
On January 27, 2014, a construction company settled a racial harassment lawsuit filed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on behalf of one of the company's employees.
2014-02-20
ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:
California child custody and parenting time basics
2014-02-20
California child custody and parenting time basics
Child custody issues can be complex and contentious. Parents often disagree on the best way to share custody and end up needing a court order to settle the matter. Before getting too deeply involved in a custody dispute, California parents should understand some of the basics of child custody and visitation in California.
Types of custody in California
California law identifies two types of child custody:
-Legal: Legal custody is the right to make decisions about a child's upbringing, health, education and welfare. ...
Kalamazoo man faces charges for heroin possession after a traffic stop
2014-02-20
Kalamazoo man faces charges for heroin possession after a traffic stop
Many criminal investigations evolve from traffic stops. That was the case, for example, when local police arrested a Kalamazoo suspect during a routine traffic detention. The man was allegedly hiding heroin inside his shoe and body.
In late January 2014, an officer from the Kalamazoo Valley Enforcement Team stopped the suspect on the road. The man allegedly consented to a search of his vehicle and pursuant to the investigation, officers claim to have found heroin hidden in the man's shoe. The suspect ...
Police focusing on DUI in San Diego - Results in more intrusion into your freedom by checkpoints
2014-02-20
Police focusing on DUI in San Diego - Results in more intrusion into your freedom by checkpoints
When a city begins to see a large number of crimes repeatedly occurring in a certain part of town, they will often consider steps that they should take to help prevent these things from happening in the future. They may increase police presence or devote more resources to making the community safer for all residents.
San Diego has recently experienced a number of serious car accidents caused by motorists who were allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol at the ...
The sad truth about deadly Texas car accidents
2014-02-20
The sad truth about deadly Texas car accidents
Given the fact that Texas is one of the most populated states in the country, it makes sense that there is a relatively high fatal auto accident rate, but the truth about these crashes is both sad and surprising. According to figures provided by the Texas Department of Transportation, in 2012 (the most recent year for which relevant data is available), nearly 3,400 Texans lost their lives in motor vehicle accidents. That is a sharp increase over recent years, and it illustrates some sobering facts:
-On average, someone ...
Employer "ultra rigid" in workers' comp denial, court finds for employee
2014-02-20
Employer "ultra rigid" in workers' comp denial, court finds for employee
A case out of New Jersey can provide a lesson for employers across the country. In the case, an employee was leaving her job when she was involved in a car accident. More specifically, the majority of her vehicle had left the employer's garage when she was hit by an oncoming vehicle. The employee's car was struck as she attempted to merge from the garage onto the city roadway. The employee was injured and filed a claim for workers' compensation.
The employer denied the workers' compensation ...
Nebraska upholds gun restriction against man convicted of misdemeanor
2014-02-20
Nebraska upholds gun restriction against man convicted of misdemeanor
Nebraska recognizes a person's right under the Second Amendment to bear arms. However, a person can lose that right if convicted of a violent crime. The state upholds the right to deny a permit to carry a concealed handgun for people who have previous violent convictions or for those who the state otherwise views as a danger to themselves or others.
On January 17, the state's highest court recently revisited this issue and ultimately upheld the Nebraska State Patrol's decision to deny a man's right ...
Punishment is possible even if you refuse a DUI breath test in Virginia
2014-02-20
Punishment is possible even if you refuse a DUI breath test in Virginia
Under the law in Virginia, drivers are already "deemed" to have given consent to have their breath or blood tested for the presence of alcohol should they ever be arrested for driving under the influence (DUI). Otherwise known as Virginia's implied consent statute, this particular law not only creates presumed consent based merely upon the operation of a motor vehicle upon a Commonwealth highway but it also establishes the grounds for punishing drivers who refuse chemical testing following ...
Hospital errors and the impact on patient health
2014-02-20
Hospital errors and the impact on patient health
Many medical facilities have certain procedures in place that are designed to limit the number of mistakes that could happen when treating patients. Some do a much better job than others, and patients often want to know where they should go to avoid being subjected to potential errors.
Some medical facilities have a very poor record when it comes to providing care to their patients. Preventable errors lead to health complications, potentially leading to medical malpractice claims against these facilities and the medical ...
Be careful about working together with spouse on your divorce
2014-02-20
Be careful about working together with spouse on your divorce
In some situations, people going through a divorce decide that they can work with their spouse to address all of the tough issues that arise. They attempt to put aside their emotions, only to realize that they are soon bogged down into the same feelings that they had leading up to the divorce. If they are not careful, they will find themselves unable to make progress, or worse, stuck in a situation that they cannot resolve.
One of the biggest mistakes that many divorcing couples make is that they want to ...
Thousands of criminal cases compromised in Florida?
2014-02-20
Thousands of criminal cases compromised in Florida?
Many criminal cases often turn on important, tangible evidence. For example, many drug investigations depend on the evaluation of materials found at the scene of the investigation or purported crime. In many cases, a criminal lab must assess and inspect evidence in an effort to confirm or dispute whether the materials are, in fact, criminal in nature.
Recently, a Florida crime lab employee resigned just as local authorities discovered a lab was missing crucial drug evidence. The employee submitted a letter of resignation ...
LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:
Discovery of two planets sheds new light on the formation of planetary systems
New West Health-Gallup survey finds incoming Trump administration faces high public skepticism over plans to lower healthcare costs
Reading signs: New method improves AI translation of sign language
Over 97 million US residents exposed to unregulated contaminants in their drinking water
New large-scale study suggests no link between common brain malignancy and hormone therapy
AI helps to identify subjective cognitive decline during the menopause transition
Machine learning assisted plasmonic absorbers
Healthy lifestyle changes shown to help low back pain
Waking up is not stressful, study finds
Texas A&M AgriLife Research aims for better control of widespread tomato spotted wilt virus
THE LANCET DIABETES & ENDOCRINOLOGY: Global Commission proposes major overhaul of obesity diagnosis, going beyond BMI to define when obesity is a disease.
Floating solar panels could support US energy goals
Long before the L.A. fires, America’s housing crisis displaced millions
Breaking barriers: Collaborative research studies binge eating disorders in older Hispanic women
UVA receives DURIP grant for cutting-edge ceramic research system
Gene editing extends lifespan in mouse model of prion disease
Putting a lid on excess cholesterol to halt bladder cancer cell growth
Genetic mutation linked to higher SARS-CoV-2 risk
UC Irvine, Columbia University researchers invent soft, bioelectronic sensor implant
Harnessing nature to defend soybean roots
Yes, college students gain holiday weight too—but in the form of muscle not fat
Beach guardians: How hidden microbes protect coastal waters in a changing climate
Rice researchers unlock new insights into tellurene, paving the way for next-gen electronics
New potential treatment for inherited blinding disease retinitis pigmentosa
Following a 2005 policy, episiotomy rates have reduced in France without an overall increase in anal sphincter injuries during labor, with more research needed to confirm the safest rate of episiotomi
Rats anticipate location of food-guarding robots when foraging
The American Association for Anatomy announces their Highest Distinctions of 2025
Diving deep into dopamine
Automatic speech recognition on par with humans in noisy conditions
PolyU researchers develop breakthrough method for self-stimulated ejection of freezing droplets, unlocking cost-effective applications in de-icing
[Press-News.org] Construction company settles racial harassment suitOn January 27, 2014, a construction company settled a racial harassment lawsuit filed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on behalf of one of the company's employees.