Human Resources Report Index-Summary

RACIAL DISCRIMINATION

– Arrests and felony conviction defeats firefighter claim (8th Cir.), 997
– Burden of proof, revival of Title VII prima facie case (8th Cir.), 269
– Cat's paw liability rejected for hospitals' parent firm and medical staffing firm (11th Cir.), 437
– Demoted black airline mechanic's claims (7th Cir.), 1303
– Demotion, firing, university nursing director claim (6th Cir.), 800
– Discipline, demotion, mandatory arbitration pact unenforceable, severance precluded (3d Cir.), 328
– Hiring

– – Disparate impact

See DISPARATE IMPACT AND TREATMENT

– – Entry-level bank jobs, OFCCP challenge (DOL ARB), 156
– – Low qualification scores, no pretext (7th Cir.), 1249
– – Policy, criminal record valid bar (8th Cir.), 1052

– Jury verdict for black paramedic upheld, remittitur (7th Cir.), 1194
– Limitations period, time-barred claim (7th Cir.), 800
– Muslim prayers during Ramadan, accommodation, meatpacker suit (D. Colo., D. Neb.), 933
– Nursing home policy endorsing racial preference, CNA firing (7th Cir.), 828
– Pay disparity, controller suit (S.D. Ala.), 1165
– Photos posted on Internet, fire department policies violated (11th Cir.), 241
– Promotions

– – Claims filed untimely, no application of Ledbetter law (3d Cir.), 1081
– – Direct evidence satisfied commonality, class certification denial improper (U.S., rev den), 233
– – Lifting restriction, company doctor bias not proved (U.S., rev den), 432
– – “Monkey” remark about project, not plaintiff (6th Cir.), 352; (U.S., rev den), 1184

– Prosecutor claim lacking absent proof of pretext (5th Cir.), 996
– Refusal to renew privileges, doctor's evidence insufficient (3d Cir.), 1304
– Retail manager fired for sexual harassment, cat's paw theory rejection (S.D. Ala.), 1166
– Retaliation

– – “Adverse” action, scope and effects under White, application of new Supreme Court standard (2d Cir.), 129
– – Discharge, bankruptcy, standing to appeal judicial estoppel ruling, doctrine properly applied (D.C. Cir.), 632
– – Inaction on auditor's complaints not adverse action (2d Cir.), 548
– – Jury instructions

– – – Complaints, adverse action challenge (1st Cir.), 799
– – – Pretext, whether failure to give instructions abused discretion (U.S., rev den), 432

– – Mandatory arbitration, unconscionability decisionmaker under state law (U.S., rev grant), 65; (oral arg), 453; (rev den), 680
– – Mixed coworker marriage, single slur not protected opposition activity (10th Cir.), 184
– – Ohio, no supervisor liability under state law (6th Cir.), 492
– – Performance improvement plan not pretext (11th Cir.), 941
– – Telephone message threatening possible termination not adverse action (11th Cir.), 548
– – Violent threats against co-workers triggered firing, bad faith, no pretext (10th Cir.), 662

– RIF, university systems analyst claim (3d Cir.), 1052
– Segregated environments, EEOC claim (N.D. Ill.), 1046
– Theft, comparators not similarly situated (6th Cir.), 773
– Transfer, student-on-teacher harassment, evidence lacking (2d Cir.), 297

RACIAL HARASSMENT

– Demoted black airline mechanic's claims (7th Cir.), 1303
– Hospital worker fired for poor performance (8th Cir.), 1193
– Subjective beliefs, firing for insubordination (10th Cir.), 1274
– White school bus driver claim rejected (8th Cir.), 604

RAILROADS

– Cell phones and electronic devices, FRA ban proposal, 550; final rule, 1018
– CSX Transp.

– – FELA, “proximate cause” proof (U.S., rev grant), 1295
– – Sex bias claimant fired for derailment (6th Cir.), 604

– FRSA

See FEDERAL RAILROAD SAFETY ACT (FRSA)

RAILWAY LABOR ACT (RLA)

– APFA, challenges to concessions pact, no right to sue air carrier (U.S., rev den), 711

REAL ESTATE

– Cen. Fla. Inv., sexual harassment, battery, reduced damages (11th Cir.), 46; (U.S., rev den), 1076
– General Growth Props., ERISA, stock drop, presumption of prudence no defense, 401(k) company stock offering not mandated (N.D. Ill.), 525
– Hallmark Mgmt., religious bias, retaliation, Christian couple claim (11th Cir.), 1360
– UBS Realty Investors, SOX, appraiser's amendment not new complaint restarting 180-day clock (D. Conn.), 411
– Wyndham Vacation Ownership, sexual harassment claim barred for untimely disclosure in bankruptcy filing (6th Cir.), 910

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

– ADA

– – Asperger's disorder, communication deficiency, medical resident burden not met (6th Cir.), 1360
– – EEOC guidance, Commr. urges, conference, 1229
– – Interactive process, constructive discharge, school counselor's claims (10th Cir.), 185

RECOGNITION OF UNIONS

– Card checks, Dana ruling, no federal labor law violation found (NLRB), 1329
– CWA convention address, Congressional goals, Pelosi on hopes for EFCA passage, 824
– Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA)

See ORGANIZING

– LMRA, standing, anti-union worker MOA challenge (11th Cir.), 1000

RECORDKEEPING

– Injuries and illnesses, OSHA proposal

– – Musculoskeletal disorders

See MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS

– – Prevention programs

See OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION (OSHA)

RECRUITING

– CDI, FLSA, “highly compensated” recruiter lacked other requirements for exempt status (D. Ariz.), 747
– Law firms, students, start dates deferred for new hires, NALP report, 304
– Social media as hiring tool, BNA Insights, 836

REDUCTIONS IN FORCE (RIFs)

– ADEA

– – Pilots, younger replacements (N.D Tex.), 605
– – Statistical impact analysis flawed (D.C. Cir.), 910

– Age bias, exclusion of “other employee” evidence (10th Cir.), 1248
– Ageist supervisor remarks, school worker triable claim (E.D. Va.), 1221
– At-will presumption trumps oral promise of future job (10th Cir.), 1168
– Challenger reports, Dec., 2009, 9; 2010 Jan., 123; Feb., 235; March, 346; Apr., 487; May, 599; July, 851; Aug., 934; Sept., 1077; Oct., 1186; Nov., 1299
– FCPA, would-be whistleblower, pretext not proved (N.D. Ohio), 637
– FMLA

– – Firing after leave request no causal link (D.D.C.), 1195
– – Interference, retaliation (6th Cir.), 187

– Layoffs

See LAYOFFS
– – Announcements

See LAYOFF ANNOUNCEMENTS

– Sex, race bias, university systems analyst's claims (3d Cir.), 1053

REFERENCES AND INFORMATION CHECKING

– Credit reports

See CREDIT REPORTS

– Separation pact, reference checks breach, damage to prospects (E.D. Wis.), 132

REGULATIONS

See specific agencies

REHABILITATION ACT

– Affirmative defense, hearing standard job-related and business necessity (U.S., rev den), 67
– Diabetic who failed physical exam not “otherwise qualified,” transferred (10th Cir.), 632
– Essential job functions, incontinent court reporter lacks accommodation claim (7th Cir.), 408
– Reassignment objections, requested transfer accommodation “prompt and appropriate” (D.C. Cir.), 45
– Rosa's Law

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 4544, S 2781

– §503, affirmative action, disabled hiring, OFCCP comments, 790
– §504, sickle cell anemia, fired independent contractor, private cause of action (U.S., rev den), 681
– USAF, Feres doctrine blocks Air Reserve technician's claims (6th Cir.), 829

RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION

– Accommodation

– – Discipline based on conduct, not Sat. Sabbath (6th Cir.), 296
– – Dreadlocks, security guard grooming policy violation (7th Cir.), 940
– – Egyptian-born security guard addressed by given name “Osama” (3d Cir.), 1052
– – Faith practices as workplace flexibility, speakers, 413
– – Options, highlights, 677

– Islam

– – Garb and headgear, safety policy trumps religion, attorneys tips on best practices, avoiding liability, 677
– – Muslim prayers during Ramadan, meatpacker suit (D. Colo., D. Neb.), 933
– – Prison head scarf ban (3d Cir.), 848
– – Safety policy headwear ban, temp service lawfully declined to refer Muslim (8th Cir.), 352
– – Workplace bias increase, employer concerns, 1125

– Praying for absent coworker, university workers fired (N.D. Tex.), 829
– Retaliation

– – Firing after EEOC complaint (U.S., rev den), 1073
– – Wrongful discharge, displayed wall hanging with Bible verse, Christian couple claim (11th Cir.), 1360

RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS

– Hosanna-Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church & Sch., ministerial exception, teacher's primary duties secular, ADA claim (6th Cir.), 296

RELOCATION OF EMPLOYEES

– Challenger Job Market Index, 2010 3d quarter, 1198

REMEDIES

– Back pay

See BACK PAY

– Exhaustion

See EXHAUSTION OF REMEDIES

– Fines

See PENALTIES

– Injunctions

See INJUNCTIONS

– Punitive damages

See PUNITIVE DAMAGES

RENTAL CARS AND TRUCKS

See AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY

REPETITIVE STRESS INJURIES

See generally MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

– FAR, federal contractors, DOD, GSA, NASA interim rule

– – Disclosure of subcontracts, executive compensation, 765
– – NLRA rights, posting notices, 1351

– Health coverage costs

See HEALTH INSURANCE

– Multiemployer plans, PBGC extends rules, comments sought, 1244
– PBGC 2011 guidance, 1328
– Plant closings, ERISA §4062(e), PBGC clarification rule, 877
– PPACA, small firms critique, Senate hearing, 1271

REPRESENTATION

– Legal

See ATTORNEYS
– – Fees

See ATTORNEYS' FEES

– Union

See specific unions
– – Elections for union representation

See REPRESENTATION ELECTIONS

REPRESENTATION ELECTIONS

– Ariz., secret ballot amendment, bipartisan approval, 880
– NLRB-supervised

– – 1997-2009, BLS data, 750
– – Union win rates, 2009, BNA data, 554; 2010 first half, 1226

RESIGNATION FROM EMPLOYMENT

– ERISA, delayed plant closure not fiduciary breach, severance pay denial (E.D. Wis.), 524
– Race bias, performance improvement plan not pretext (11th Cir.), 941

REST PERIODS

See BREAKS, MEAL AND REST

RESTAURANTS

See FOOD SERVICES

RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS

– Noncompetition

See NONCOMPETE AGREEMENTS

– Trade secrets, willful and malicious misappropriation, damages

– – (D. R.I.), 219
– – (Tenn. Ct. App.), 133

RESUME FRAUD

– Social media, HR role in detection, 369

RETAIL INDUSTRY

– Abercrombie & Fitch, INA, ICE audit, employment verification violations, 1047
– Big Lots, CAFA, Private Attys. Gen. Act, wage hour hearing denied (N.D. Cal.), 1337
– Bluemercury, firing after FMLA leave request no causal link (D.D.C.), 1195
– Crowd-control tips, OSHA issues, 1222
– Docutek Imaging Solutions, overtime, executive exemption (S.D. Fla.), 1252
– Dollar Tree Stores, FMLA, successor liability, balancing of equities test (9th Cir.), 1055
– e-Bay, ADEA, mandatory arbitration pact enforceability (10th Cir.), 1251
– Fred's, sexual harassment, “supervisor” status, state law claim (4th Cir.), 381
– GameStop, arbitration of FLSA claims as individual, waiver of class actions (D. Conn.), 78
– Home Depot, manager same-sex harassment, en banc rehearing granted (11th Cir.), 297
– Jewelry Exchange, arbitration pact severability, bias claims reinstated (3d Cir.), 664
– Kmart, FMLA interference, retaliation (6th Cir.), 187
– Lowe's Home Centers, race bias, manager fired for sexual harassment, cat's paw theory rejection (S.D. Ala.), 1166
– Macy's, pension eligibility notification, ERISA fiduciary breach claim (N.D. Cal.), 1225
– Nordstrom

– – Sex bias, arbitration compelled for worker, may litigate state tortious (E.D. Pa.), 1392
– – SOX, SEC violations, retail worker complaint untimely (9th Cir.), 1306

– Office Depot, ADEA, national origin bias, shows pretext (D.N.M.), 577
– Oreck Vacuums, USERRA, supervisor anti-military sentiment (D. Utah), 777
– Pier 1, sexual harassment, assault by registered sex offender, employer liability (Cal. Ct. App.), 1220
– PPACA penalties, Health Care Mandate Cost Calculator, online tool from Natl. Retail Fed'n, 572
– Rent-A-Center West, race bias, mandatory arbitration, unconscionability decisionmaker under state law (U.S., rev grant), 65; (oral arg), 453; (rev den), 680
– Sears Home Improvement Prods., race bias, performance improvement plan not pretext (11th Cir.), 941
– Staples, assistant store managers, global settlement (D.N.J.), 122
– Sterling Jewelers, sex bias claims, reversal of prior court decision, class arbitration denial (S.D.N.Y.), 822
– TJX, store closing, job losses, 1356
– Wal-Mart

– – Ill., Chicago, store building plan unveiled, 686
– – Lifelong Learning Program, online education, partial tuition reimbursement, 639
– – Sex bias

– – – Entry-level warehouse jobs, settlement (E.D. Ky.), 234
– – – Pay and promotions, nationwide class action, punitive damages claims remanded (9th Cir., en banc), 455; litigation, four cert-worthy issues outlined, chances for SupCt review predicted, 612; (U.S., rev sought), 931; Supreme Court docket, 1069; opposition brief filed (U.S., brief filed), 1156; (U.S., rev grant), 1324

– – Sexual harassment by co-worker, affirmative defense, prompt remedial action (11th Cir.), 16
– – Wage and hour

– – – Cal., class settlement (N.D. Cal.), 512; approval, 1241
– – – Premium pay for Sunday work halted, 1353
– – – Profit-sharing, 2011 automatic contributions end, 1130
– – – Vacation leave, overtime, termination pay, class settlement (D. Or.), 599

RETALIATION

– Age and sex bias, mixed-motive theory viable post-Gross (5th Cir.), 382
– FLSA

– – Oral complaints, whether protected activity under clause (U.S., rev grant), 316; Supreme Court docket, 1069; (oral arg), 1097
– – Pay structure altered after complaints, pretext (D. Conn.), 580

– FMLA

See FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE ACT (FMLA)

– Free speech

See FREEDOM OF SPEECH

– National origin bias

See NATIONAL ORIGIN DISCRIMINATION

– N.J., post-discharge insurance cancellation actionable, time-barred claim (N.J.), 80
– Protect Our Workers from Exploitation and Retaliation (POWER) Act

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, S 3207

– Race bias

See RACIAL DISCRIMINATION

– Racial harassment, hospital worker fired for poor performance (8th Cir.), 1193
– Religious bias, firing after EEOC complaint (U.S., rev den), 1073
– Reverse race bias

See REVERSE DISCRIMINATION

– Same-sex harassment, retail supervisor's “brief” touching, calls to male managers, en banc rehearing granted (11th Cir.), 297
– Sexual harassment

See SEXUAL HARASSMENT

– STAA, refusal to drive truck with flat tire, voluntary quit (DOL ARB), 1140
– Whistleblowers

See WHISTLEBLOWERS
– – SOX

See SARBANES-OXLEY ACT (SOX)

RETENTION OF EMPLOYEES

– Turnover

See TURNOVER, EMPLOYEE

RETIREE HEALTH BENEFITS

– Lifetime and/or free, ERISA/LMRA

– – Unisys, fiduciary duty breach (U.S., rev den), 205
– – Volvo Constr. Equip., whether altering benefits violates (U.S., rev den), 233

– Multinational and international employee plans, IRS focus, 796
– Post-retirement expenses, EBRI report, 1358
– Prescription drugs, copays, injunction (N.D. Ohio), 551
– Reinsurance program under PPACA

– – Accelerated start, requirements, 486
– – Applications, HHS clarification, 659
– – Compliance advise to employers, 405; 2-year duration expected, 630
– – Most employers planning to apply for benefits, survey, 601

– Transfers from pension plan, copayments, deductibles hiked, settlement (D.N.J.), 628
– Vesting, CBA entitlement of free lifetime benefits (W.D. Mich.), 776

RETIREMENT

– Bankruptcy protection

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 4677, S 3033

– Counseling, employers offering, survey, 993
– Early

See EARLY RETIREMENT

– GM offer to skilled trades workers at 14 plants, 1356
– Health benefits

See RETIREE HEALTH BENEFITS

– Income adequacy, Hewitt study, 518
– Lifetime income products, DOL, Congress, IRS expand focus, 323
– Pensions

See PENSIONS

– Phased retirement, Social Security benefits, Senate hearing, 767
– Plan participation rates, 1977- 2007, report, 1021
– Postponement, report, 211
– Savings

– – Baby boomers, insufficient funds, EBRI report, 796
– – Confidence survey, 293
– – Obama commitment to improve security, 349
– – Savings for Am. Families' Future Act

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 1961, S 3090

– Working retirees, report, 1116

REVERSE DISCRIMINATION

– Race bias, retaliation, IRS agent denied promotion, no adverse action, pretext (U.S., rev den), 656

RHODE ISLAND

– Civil rights bias, statute of limitations, amendment by veto override, 40

RIFs

See REDUCTIONS IN FORCE (RIFs)

RIGHT-TO-WORK

– Recusal, NLRB's Becker motion denial, IG probe, 711; Becker cleared, no ethics violation, 791; NRTW Found. letter urges probe of Becker votes, 890

RLA

See RAILWAY LABOR ACT (RLA)

ROMANCE AT WORK

See OFFICE ROMANCE

RUSSIA

– Skilled foreign workers, employment status bill signed, 586