The Difference Between Race and Racism

You may recall an event in Central Park in mid-2020 that involved a woman who called the police when she encountered a birdwatcher.  The birdwatcher was Black.  The woman was white.   Video of the incident went viral.  I’ll spare you the link, but it’s still available (isn’t everything) with a quick search of “Central Park Karen,” as the incident became known. Amy Cooper was walking with her dog off leash in the Bramble, which is...
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EEOC Issues Harassment Prevention and Response Guidance

The EEOC has issued guidance on “Promising Practices for Prevention and Addressing Harassment in the Federal Sector.”  While the guidance provides recommended practices for federal government workplaces, it offers sound advice for other public sector and private sector employers.  Here is a sampling of the EEOC’s recommendations that are applicable to other employers too: Annually issue and distribute to all employees, and prominently post,...
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Maryland Court Reins in Appeal Rights From MCCR Determinations

Every person who claims to be discriminated against by an employer has the right to have that charge examined by the Maryland Commission for Civil Rights (MCCR). The claims of charging parties are fully investigated by the MCCR, including procedures to obtain documents, data and testimony.  That process includes an appeal within the MCCR, and the right to seek further review in the Maryland Circuit Court system.  Employers confronted with charges...
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Prompt Response to Workplace Harassment Complaint Defeats Title VII Claim

What should an employer do when it learns of potential workplace harassment?  Hudson v. Lincare, Inc., No. 22-50149 (5th Cir., Jan. 18, 2023), offers a recent example of how an employer should respond when an employee (or other individual, for that matter) alleges unlawful workplace behavior:  take the report seriously and protect employees from the harassing behavior, conduct an appropriate investigation, and take action to stop the harassment. ...
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Yeah, Congress Knew Some Folks Felt That Way

Darrell VanDeusen
Darrell VanDeusen
11/08/2022
After nearly 38 years as an employment lawyer, there are some old saws of mine I pull out (rarely, thank goodness) when talking to clients.  For example, after discussing the underlying issues in a pesky employment matter, a member of management might say “why can’t we just fire this person…?”  My go-to response is “well, yes, Congress knew some people felt that way and that’s why they passed a law against it.” As most folks...
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Documented Reorganization Aids Virginia Company’s Win In Pay Discrimination Case

Documentation of and communicating about employment-related decisions, including those pertaining to employee job duties, compensation, and changes in the workplace are important for several reasons.  Among those reasons are keeping employees informed of developments in the workplace and being positioned to explain to a court or administrative agency why things happened the way they did.  In the case of job duties, documentation is only part of...
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An EEOC Reminder: Discrimination by Third Parties is also Illegal

Darrell VanDeusen
Darrell VanDeusen
09/28/2022
  Let’s start today’s blog with a  brief visit to Employment Discrimination Law 101.  An employer cannot discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, etc., etc., etc.  Discrimination includes harassment – name calling, epithets, and such stuff – that creates a hostile work environment.   And (yes, I know you know this) an employer is responsible for the actions of all of its employees, not just its supervisors or managers (e.g.,...
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Fourth Circuit Allows Claim of Color Discrimination to Advance

Kollman & Saucier
Kollman & Saucier
07/22/2022
While claims of employment discrimination are somewhat commonplace, it is far less common to see cases of discrimination based on color. In Felder v MGM National Harbor, No. 20-2373, the United States Court of Appeals for the Court Circuit reversed a trial court and allowed a claim of color discrimination to proceed beyond the Motion to Dismiss stage.  The case arose when the plaintiff, Britney Felder, filed suit alleging that she was...
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Lack of Comparator Dooms Discrimination Claim

Randi Klein Hyatt
Randi Klein Hyatt
06/24/2022
The Seventh Circuit recently reaffirmed the need to identify a relevant comparator in discrimination claims.  In Abebe v. Health and Hospital Corporation of Marion County, Ms. Abebe worked as a dental assistant starting in 2014.  Her behavior during her employment was marked with multiple concerns about her attitude and interactions with others.  In 2016, she received a poor review for "respect" due to her negative attitude and poor interactions...
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Maryland Poised To Increase Damages Caps For Discrimination Claims

The Maryland Fair Employment Practices Act (FEPA) is the state analog to federal anti-discrimination laws.   The law prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, and disability.  If an employer is found to have engaged in an unlawful employment practice under FEPA the remedies can include compensatory damages, back pay, injunctive...
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