Employment Blog

Military Spouse

You are the spouse of a member of the military. Not only has your spouse sacrificed for his or her country by always being ready to defend it, but you have sacrificed your family life for the country, as well. We thank you and salute you. In addition to our thanks and admiration, the state of Washington provides you with additional benefits as a spouse of someone serving in the

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Colorado Leave Donation Programs: Know Your Rights

Many Colorado employers have programs that allow their employees to essentially donate their accrued paid time off (PTO), including sick leave and vacation days, to co-workers who are experiencing health or family emergencies or serious medical issues. Not only do these leave-donation programs promote the ultimate level of goodwill amongst coworkers, they also help to maintain productivity in the workplace, while allowing employers to allow their employees during times when

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Colorado Hospital Pays $400,000 EEOC Age Discrimination Settlement

After a total of 29 employees of a hospital in Montrose, Colorado were either fired or forced to resign, the question of whether the hospital violated federal law was posed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). All of the employees who were terminated from employment or forced to resign were aged 40 and older, and many of them had worked for the hospital for 10 to 20 or

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Pregnancy Discrimination a Growing Concern in Colorado

In the United States women currently, represent 47% of the nation’s workforce. These women dominate the physical therapy, speech therapy, and social work industries,s with their numbers expected to increase. Perhaps most importantly, 70% of women in the workforce have children under the age of 18 and 40% of these women are the primary or sole income source in their household. For these women, the reality of discrimination is something

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IBM Faces Ageism Accusations

As the average age of working adults has started to increase, so have the number of age-related discrimination claims. Incidents of ageism are not always overt, and many victims have a difficult time recognizing that they are being subjected to true discrimination. Unfortunately, one of the common consequences of workplace ageism is that victims become less confident in their ability to perform their job functions, causing them to quit. Many

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Colorado Firefighters Receive Settlement After Suing for Discrimination

The career of a firefighter is mentally stressful and filled with physical danger. Firefighters are at greater risk of developing heart disease, cancer, and certain types of chronic respiratory disorders. Currently, being a firefighter is one of the most dangerous jobs in the United States with high levels of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) reported, and some Colorado firefighters were forced to deal with the additional stress of racial discrimination. The

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Hertz Agrees to Settle Denver Disability Discrimination Lawsuit

In what some are calling a victory for the working disabled, The Hertz Corporation has agreed to settle a disability discrimination lawsuit filed against its Denver, Colorado car sales division. The initial lawsuit drew attention to a continuing problem throughout the United States – the inability of those with physical disabilities to gain employment. Though Hertz originally believed that their employee and location did not do anything discriminatory, the company

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Colorado State University Retaliation Lawsuit Moves Forward

Over the last several months, the country has witnessed a change in the way people respond to sexual harassment and discrimination. The growing MeToo movement has encouraged victims of sexual assault and harassment to come forward while the Time’s Up movement draws attention to workplace harassment. Not only do these movements help increase public awareness, they also offer support to victims who are willing to confront the people or organizations

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Colorado Physician’s Case Leads to Non-Compete Law Review

The history of non-compete laws in Colorado is one filled with drama as employers and employees struggle to protect their financial interests. Employers in certain industries spend a large amount of money recruiting, training, and employing individuals with certain valuable skill sets. Once that person is no longer an employee, the last thing an employer wants is for a competitor to benefit from his or her investment. Non-compete laws provide

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Colorado River Fire and Rescue Faces Sexual Harassment Lawsuit

Over the past few months, movements such as Me Too and Time’s Up have led to a growing awareness of sexual harassment and gender discrimination in the work place. Women from all walks of life have come forward to share their stories and draw attention to the inequality women in the workplace face on a daily basis. In this current climate women who were wary about coming forward have found

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Colorado Forest Service History of Sexual Harassment Exposed

PBS NewsHour’s recent report exposing a hostile work environment and numerous instances of sexual harassment in the Colorado United States Forest Service has placed the agency under extreme scrutiny. Prior to the allegations, the Forest Service made numerous claims that outlined training to prevent sexual harassment in the form of assaults, intimidation, or other inappropriate actions along with stiff penalties for those who did not adhere to federal law. Unfortunately,

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Colorado Springs Whistleblower Files Defamation Lawsuit

The state of Colorado is not unfamiliar with the impact a whistleblower can have on the future of a business, local government, or individuals employed by either type of organization. In 2016, Colorado-based company DaVita reached a multimillion-dollar settlement with the federal government after a whistleblower accused the company of unethical and illegal business practices. The DaVita settlement was one of several that have been reached as a result of

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Colorado Gets Serious About Unpaid Wages

The concept of working to earn money to support one’s self and/or a family is as old as the United States itself. Over the years, numerous movements have led to the creation of fair living wages, safe work environments, and protection from discriminatory practices. While it is true that employers continue to violate some basic protections and adhere to certain laws, many are unaware of how prevalent the problem of

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Colorado Employer Settles Ageism Lawsuit

Experience is viewed as one of the key traits that every potential employee must have. However, there are times when too much experience is viewed not as an asset but as a hindrance when it comes to being hired. The chances of being contacted for an interview drop dramatically as a person goes from being a younger adult entering the workforce to a middle-aged American. Age discrimination researchers have found

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Loveland Company Settles Federal Discrimination Lawsuit 

In recent years the United States has focused on enforcing the Immigration and Nationality Act, preventing employers from discriminating against potential employees who are not United States citizens. As the debate around immigration continues, one Colorado-based company found itself in the unique position of being accused of discriminating against employees not because they were suspected of not being citizens of the United States, but because they were citizens authorized to

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Boulder Colorado Company Facing Wrongful Termination Suit Closes

In January of 2014, the state of Colorado legalized recreational marijuana sales, approving over 100 seller license applications. By 2016, information obtained by the Colorado Department of Revenue revealed that the legal marijuana industry was bringing in over $1 billion annually.  Numerous companies sought to profit from the growing industry and startup business Tradiv decided that bringing marijuana to online marketplaces was the next step in expanding the now legal

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Colorado Baker Case Could Impact Employment Discrimination Cases

The Denver, Colorado bakery Masterpiece Cakeshop made headlines in July of 2012 after the store’s owner, Jack Phillips, refused to accommodate an order placed by a same sex couple.  Phillips made his decision based on his belief that providing a cake for a same sex wedding reception would go against the doctrine of his religion. The incident set off a series of events that ultimately led to years of litigation

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Lawsuit Against Colorado Based Company Sparks Discussion About Multiple Discrimination 

Workplace discrimination is something that most adults are familiar with through direct experience or word of mouth. Unfortunately, the reality of multiple discrimination types affecting one person is not often discussed. Multiple discrimination in the workplace occurs when an employee is harassed or mistreated because he or she is a member of more than one protected group. Cherry Creek Mortgage, a Colorado-based lender, found themselves in the middle of a

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Highland Ranch Private School Faces Discrimination Lawsuit

After the number of reported gender and race related complaints fell to an all-time low in 2006, the claims of discrimination are increasing yet again. The serious problem of employment-related discrimination has recently touched the community of Highlands Ranch, Colorado after disturbing allegations were revealed in a lawsuit. The former principal of Merryhill School shocked parents and school staff by filing a discrimination lawsuit in the United States District Court

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Employer Neutrality Questioned in Harassment Claims

The recent revelations that rocked the entertainment industry have led to the exposure of a culture of harassment in workplaces throughout Colorado. When women around the world shared stories of harassment and sexual assault using the #MeToo, residents of Colorado learned of misconduct within the state government. After the initial accusations were made, some questioned the lack of harassment claims filed since so many in the Capital seemed to be

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Denver Company at the Center of Transgender Discrimination Lawsuit

A&E Tire and Auto Repair recently found itself embroiled in a discrimination lawsuit after being accused of refusing to hire a transgender man. With five locations throughout Colorado, the automotive and tire company was previously known only for providing quality services for reasonable prices. Since the news of the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) decision to file a lawsuit was announced in a press release, A&E Tire is

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Pregnant Colorado Attorney Files Lawsuit After Wrongful Termination

In spite of multiple federal laws and discrimination acts created specifically to protect pregnant women, discrimination and wrongful termination associated with pregnancy are on the rise. A study conducted by Citizens Advice found that pregnancy and maternity workplace discrimination has risen by 25%. Other pregnancy discrimination advocates believe the percentage is even higher, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) receives thousands of complaints each year. One of the most

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Crop Production Services Accused of Hiring Discrimination

The state of Colorado has found itself in the middle of multiple immigration-related protests and lawsuits. Just one month ago Governor John Hickenlooper announced that Colorado would join 15 other states in the filing of a lawsuit challenging a federal government plan to end protections that prevent young immigrants from being deported. In the middle of the volatile situation, one Colorado company finds itself facing accusations of citizenship-related discrimination.  However,

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Hertz Lawsuits Draws Attention to Ongoing Disability Discrimination Problems

In 1990 the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed to protect individuals who are qualified for employment from being discriminated against based on a disability by current or prospective employers. Even though the act has been in place for almost three decades, disability discrimination is still an issue that employees deal with on a daily basis. The Hertz Corporation has recently made headlines after a manager at the company’s

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Pregnant Colorado Attorney Files Lawsuit After Wrongful Termination

In spite of multiple federal laws and discrimination acts created specifically to protect pregnant women, discrimination and wrongful termination associated with pregnancy are on the rise. A study conducted by Citizens Advice found that pregnancy and maternity workplace discrimination has risen by 25%. Other pregnancy discrimination advocates believe the percentage is even higher, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) receives thousands of complaints each year. One of the most

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Whistleblower at the Center of CenturyLink Class Action Lawsuit

In January of 2017, the Denver Better Business Bureau issued a warning to CenturyLink, the third largest telecommunication company in the United States, regarding the company’s advertising claims and sales practices. The warning was issued after an investigation was initiated in September of 2016 in response to thousands of complaints filed by consumers.  Initially, the telecommunication giant cited the company’s recent acquisitions and growth as the reason the company received

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Common Non-Compete Agreement Mistakes

Business owners who have spent years developing a competitive formula that makes their company highly competitive may worry about former employees starting their own businesses using stolen business methods. Having employees sign a non-compete agreement prior to working with a business is one way employers protect their secrets and reduce future problems that may be caused by competition. Unfortunately, many companies do not realize that common non-compete agreement mistakes could

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Common Employer FMLA Mistakes

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a program that allows employees an opportunity to take unpaid leave to care for family related responsibilities. Employees who utilize FMLA are able to balance their personal emergencies and employment knowing that their jobs are protected for qualifying absences. An employee must meet certain criteria regarding length of time worked for the employer and the basic provisions are administered by the Wage

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The Connection Between Discrimination and Wrongful Termination

Losing a job for reasons that contradict company policy while violating Federal law creates a scenario allowing the former employee to fight for reinstatement. Unfortunately, the personal, professional, and financial difficulties caused by a sudden termination sometimes lead to a situation where the affected party does not pursue a wrongful termination case. This is especially true if the work life of the former employee was made difficult because of various

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When Employment Discrimination Goes Viral

In the past accusations of discrimination at the workplace only became public knowledge if a major news outlet decided to cover the story. The rise of social media has changed that by giving every individual an opportunity to share his or her experience with millions of people worldwide.  When former Versace employee Christopher Shapiro’s allegations of racial profiling and racial discrimination by a manager went viral, the internationally famous brand

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Social Media and Your Rights as an Employee

The number of adults in the United States with an active social media presence has grown steadily over the last few years. In 2008, approximately 24% of the population used social media while today at least 81% of the population utilizes social media. As the number of people who use social media daily grows, more employees are finding themselves in the unique position of having their professional lives impacted by

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Are You Trapped in a Hostile Work Environment?

Hostility in the workplace is often overlooked and underreported because employees do not always recognize that they are working in a hostile environment. The legal criteria that needs to be met in order to classify a workplace as hostile is not widely known, discouraging the average person from reporting possible problems. No adult wants to place his or her career at risk by complaining about incidents that were not actually

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What You Need to Know About Colorado’s Pregnant Workers Fairness Act

The state of Colorado has provided anti-discrimination protection to those seeking employment since the 1964 Federal Civil Rights Act was implemented. However, pregnant women were not included in the protections that Colorado state law established. In June of 2016, the Governor of Colorado signed a new law that became effective on August 10, 2016 protecting pregnant workers from discrimination. Understanding Colorado’s Pregnant Workers Fairness Act can help employees remain aware

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Can I Puff My Job Away Even if I’m Legally Smoking Marijuana?

When Colorado decriminalized the use of marijuana on January 1, 2014, many employees thought it would be safe to engage in their pastime on lunch breaks and outside work without fear of repercussions from their employer.  After all, the citizens of that state scored an apparent victory by “legalizing” the use of pot.  Unfortunately, employees who choose to use marijuana recreationally still need to comply with employer drug-free policies.  This

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Broncos Fan Fired In Tacoma

Seattle’s King5.com recently reported on the firing of a Broncos fan in Tacoma. Nathaniel Wentz, 17, worked for Odyssey1 until he wore his Broncos jersey to work. Employees were invited to show their team spirit if they were working on game day. Wentz, a long-time football and Broncos fan, wore his jersey to work. He was then sent home to change clothes because his manager meant Seattle team spirit, not

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