The Eleventh Circuit (which covers Alabama, Florida and Georgia) held late last month that a female employee was subjected to an unlawful hostile work environment on the basis of her sex in part because of "vulgar radio programming" that was played daily in her workplace. Reeves v. C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc., No. 07-10270, April 28, 2008.
Continue Reading Howard Stern + Work = Hostile Work Environment
Ignore this Court Order: Executives Hit with Subpoena Scam
By Dennis Westlind on
Posted in News
This last month, thousands of high-ranking executives across the country received phony subpoenas by email commanding them to appear before a grand jury in the U. S. District Court in San Diego, California. If you received one of these emails, feel free to ignore it. For more information, check out Stoel Rives’ update. Don’t…
Washington Passes New Domestic Violence and Military Family Leave Laws
By Dennis Westlind on
Posted in Washington
On April 1, 2008, Governor Christine Gregoire signed new laws requiring Washington employers of any size to provide two kinds of leave to Washington employees: domestic violence leave for victims and family members, and military family leave. To learn more, check out Stoel Rives’ update.
Make Mine a “Venti”: Starbucks Ordered to Pay Baristas $105 Million
By Dennis Westlind on
Posted in California
A California Superior Court ordered Starbucks Corp. to pay $105 million in restitution to baristas who were required to pool their tips with supervisors. Chou v. Starbucks Corp., Cal. Super. Ct. No. GIC836925 (Mar. 19, 2008). The class action case was brought on behalf of all baristas who worked at any California Starbucks going…
Bada Bing! Executives Subject to RICO Suit for Hiring Undocumented Workers
By Dennis Westlind on
Posted in Immigration, News
A federal judge in Ohio ruled that an employer’s top executives are subject to a RICO lawsuit for hiring undocumented alien employees. Hager v. ABX Air, Inc., No.2:07-CV-317 (S.D. Ohio Mar. 25, 2008). RICO, the "Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act," is usually associated with attempts to bring down mob bosses and the "legitimate businesses"…
No Individual Liability for Retaliation Under California FEHA
By Dennis Westlind on
Posted in California
In a ruling that could simplify the defense of retaliation claims in California, the California Supreme Court recently held that there exists no individual liability for retaliation under California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Jones v. The Lodge at Torrey Pines P’ship, (Cal. Mar. 3, 2008). Although the FEHA prohibits discrimination by "an…