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
Employment Blog
Here you can find the most recent employment law news and commentary on cases around the country. If you need assistance with employment law, don't hesitate to call us.
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
Oregon Courts on Constructive Discharge Claims
Everyone has bad days at work. Most people have coworkers who may be annoying, undermining, and even occasionally name-call in the workplace. Numerous employees believe their bosses are ‘mean’ or on power trips. Almost everyone has days during which the annoyances at work reach a point where they want to quit. An employee has the… Read More
Spokane Restaurateur Criminally Charged for Alleged Workers' Compensation Fraud
The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (“L&I”) claims that a co-owner of a restaurant in Spokane fraudulently claimed almost $250,000 in workers’ compensation benefits. Wanitta Racicot, who co-owns the Broadway Bar & Grill, claimed that she suffered work-related injuries in 2001 that made her unable to work in her restaurant, according to an… 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
"Reverse Discrimination" Leads to $620,000 Verdict for White Police Officer
A federal jury awarded $620,000 to a white police sergeant in his race discrimination lawsuit against the St. Louis Police Department, the Police Board of Commissioners, and other city officials. According to an article from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Sergeant David Bonenberger applied for an assistant director position at the police academy, but was not… Read More
McDonald's Proposed Employee Budget Draws Criticism
As the wealth disparity between rich and poor continues to grow in the United States, the minimum wage has been the subject of much debate. Critics contend that the minimum wage does not provide a living wage, while supporters point to market forces and increasing globalization as a reason to keep it where it is…. Read More
$2 Million Race Discrimination Verdict Reversed Due to Attorney's "Irregularities"
A $2 million jury verdict in favor of Jeffrey Chen, the former chief of police in Medina, Washington, was reversed by a federal judge as unsupported by the evidence. Seattle Weekly News reports that the trial judge in the case determined that the jury reached its verdict because of passion or prejudice based on Chen’s… Read More
Seattle-Area Warehouse Roof Collapses in Heavy Rain
The roof of a woodworking warehouse in the Seattle suburb of Kent collapsed due to heavy rains in the area. According to an article from KHQ News, nobody was hurt by the roof collapse, which was due to drains in the corner of the warehouse being unable to deal with the sudden increase in rain…. Read More