The Fairness Act for job applicants in Oregon now forbids employers from accessing information in a job applicant’s credit report for hiring purposes, except for cases in which the information relates to the company where the applicant is seeking a job (Revised Statutes Sec.659A.030). Let’s say an employer finds out that the information is related… 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.
Missouri Trucking Company Found to Have Violated Whistleblower Protections
In 2014, a Missouri trucking company unlawfully damaged a former employee’s reputation after he got medical attention for an injury sustained on the job. In 2008, the driver informed his employer that he had sustained a back injury. It was serious enough that he had to be prescribed pain medication that would prevent him from… Read More
Misclassification Identified as Serious Threat to American Workers
One major area of concern for modern workers is how the so-called “gig economy” impacts their classification as an employee. With more freelancers and contractors entering the marketplace, employees still have several benefits to which freelancers are not entitled. These include the right to file discrimination and wrongful termination lawsuits against their employers. Employees are… Read More
Chipotle Accused of Wage Theft in Massive Class Action
It is estimated that employers steal billions of dollars from their employees in unpaid wages every year in the US. While it certainly keeps the employment lawyers at HKM very busy, it is unfortunate that American workers have to go through the legal system in order to get what is entitled to them under US… Read More
Kansas City Firefighter Denied Promotion on Grounds of Race Wins Lawsuit
Tarshish Jones, a veteran Kansas City firefighter, won a $356,000 workplace discrimination settlement against the KC fire department in October of last year. The settlement came after Missouri legislators changed the law raising the standard of proof in discrimination cases. Beforehand, employees claiming workplace discrimination need only prove that discrimination played into an overall decision-making… Read More
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… Read More
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… Read More
Haagen Dazs, Anyone?
The current economic and political climate creates many challenges for Washington state-area farms. In many ways, these challenges are unprecedented. The economic climate of law unemployment means that Washington growers will likely have to pay higher wages or at least better conditions for workers, who are largely migrant workers who head north during the busy… Read More
Missouri Legislature Seeks to Put Further Restrictions on Employee Lawsuits
Missouri workers’ right to sue their companies for workplace discrimination has been the subject of widespread tort reform over the past couple of years. The controversial SB 43 included measures that: Shield perpetrators of sexual misconduct from being directly sued by their victims. Make it easier for employers to discriminate against their employees. Limits punitive… Read More
Can an Employer Legally Run a Credit Check Before Employing You?
Can a simple credit check provide a comprehensive understanding of a potential employee? Can such a check differentiate a bad employee from a good one? According to a good number of insights from ordinary employers, conducting a credit check is important in selecting the suitable candidate for a given job position. In fact, a significant… Read More