A few months ago, Seattle P-I reported on James Osborne’s multiple and continuing battles with REI. In 2007, Osborne was paralyzed when an REI brand bicycle he was riding broke apart and crashed. As a result of the crash, Osborne’s arms and legs were paralyzed for a while and though he can now walk around… Read More
Posts Categorized In: Workplace Discrimination
EEOC Files Two Disability Discrimination Lawsuits
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently filed lawsuits against two major corporations, claiming unlawful employment discrimination against individuals with disabilities. Both Kaiser Permanente, the nation’s largest managed healthcare consortium, and retail giant Kmart face allegations of failing to make reasonable accommodations for a current employee and prospective employee, respectively, with a disability. If found,… Read More
E-Verify Discrimination
Immigration reform has been and continues to be a complex and controversial political issue. One major point of contention has been undocumented workers. In 1997, the United States government started the E-Verify program in an effort to prevent and reduce undocumented workers’ ability to find employment. It is an online program that matches information provided… Read More
Employee's Race Discrimination Claims Against Paula Deen Dismissed
A federal judge dismissed a former employee’s race discrimination claims against Paula Deen, according to an article in the Seattle P-I. The judge ruled that the employee, who is white, does not have the right to bring a claim based on workplace discrimination against African-American workers. However, the judge did not dismiss the employee’s sexual… Read More
Washington Congressman's Bill Would Prohibit Discrimination Against Military Veterans
United States Representative Derek Kilmer, from Gig Harbor, Washington, submitted a bill to congress that would provide anti-discrimination protections to military veterans. Tacoma-based The News Tribune reports that the protections would be similar to those provided to other protected classes such as race, religion, or gender. Senator Blumenthal from Connecticut proposed the same legislation in… Read More
Kitsap County Women Receive Jury Award in Sexual Harassment Suit against Employer
When a person gets his or her first job it can be an exciting time. A paycheck, a uniform, new duties and responsibilities can be rewarding and fulfilling. However, after the honeymoon period ends, and coworkers and supervisors get more comfortable working together, a terrible pattern can emerge. Many workers can become exploited when asked… Read More
Poll Indicates 15% of Women Believe They Have Been Unfairly Denied Promotions
Sexual bias continues to be a significant and pervasive problem in the United States. On average, women tend to earn less than their male counterparts and are often underrepresented in executive or supervisory positions. In addition, thousands of people each year are subjected to inappropriate and demeaning sexual discrimination year each, many of whom are… Read More
Former Clallam County Employee Settles Employment Discrimination and Retaliation Charges
An Employment Discrimination and Retaliation Case in Clallam County An employment law case out of Port Angeles made headlines earlier this summer in the Washington employment law community and in local news. According to the Peninsula Daily News, an employment discrimination charge filed with the Washington State Human Rights Commission and the United States Equal… Read More
Employment Discrimination Case Highlights Pregnancy-Based Discrimination in the Workplace
The Story A story from the Seattle PI this week highlights the many different types of employment discrimination claims that an employee may bring against a supervisor under employment anti-discrimination laws. Jesse Hernandez, head of the Arizona State Board of Executive Clemency was under investigation after a female employee complained that he discriminated against her… Read More
Merrill Lynch Reaches $160 Million Settlement in Racial Discrimination Lawsuit
Brokerage firm Merrill Lynch has agreed to pay $160 million to settle claims of racial discrimination from 1,200 current and former brokers. Seattle-based KIRO 7 reports that if the trial judge approves the settlement, it will be one of the largest settlements reached in a workplace racial discrimination case. In this case, the plaintiffs were… Read More