If You See Something, Say Something

This is more than just the slogan used by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to encourage people to report suspicious terrorist activity.   It should also be the mantra of every workplace to encourage the reporting of discrimination and sexual harassment.   Simply stated, without witnesses who are willing to get involved and “say something,” […]

KNOW YOUR FMLA RIGHTS!

All of us feel the tension between work and family life.    At some point, you or a family member will face a serious health condition, or perhaps a pregnancy.    Will your job be protected if you need to take time off for a medical reason or maternity leave? In 1993, Congress enacted into law the […]

Staffing Agencies Can Be Responsible for Client’s Discrimination

According to the American Staffing Association, U.S. staffing companies employed an average of 3.32 million temporary and contract workers per week in the third quarter of 2015.    That means that many American workers have “joint employers” consisting of a staffing or employment agency, and the agency’s client – the actual company where the employee is […]

Breast Pumping, Dirty Toilets and Politics

Texas, which continues to lag behind most other states in workers’ rights, enacted a new law effective September 1, 2015, which provides some working moms with protections in the workplace to pump their breast milk.    Texas H.B. 786 requires all public employers (e.g., state agencies, cities, counties, and school districts) to provide a place, other […]

5th Circuit Decision: Pro-Employer or Anti-Religion?

I don’t think anyone would fault the way Kelsey Nobach handled the unusual request she received at work on September 19, 2009. Nobach, a nursing home employee, was advised by a non-supervisory CNA (certified nursing assistant), that a resident was asking that someone read the Rosary to her. Nobach, who is a Jehovah’s Witness, stated […]