While many would like to assert that race discrimination is a ghost of workplace cultures’ past, that is simply not the case. With dangerous political rhetoric and the rise of racially charged movements, race discrimination runs rampant despite its strict prohibition by federal and state law.
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While lawfully using a medical marijuana card may prevent you from being arrested, what happens if you test positively for marijuana on a drug test issued by your employer?
Read MoreThe United States has never been more politically, racially, and religiously divided. Due to the actions of the Trump Administration, hateful rhetoric is endangering the lives of many minority groups, including the LGBT community.
Read MoreA whistleblower is someone who reports a person or organization’s illegal action to an internal or external source. Ideally, an employee should be able to report illegal or immoral activities without facing retaliatory consequences. In fact, government and corporate entities often rely on whistleblowers to provide information that exposes hidden corruption and unethical practices.
Read MoreAccording to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, businesses that have 15 or more employees have to make reasonable accommodations for their employees’ religious observances. This means that if a covered employer can reasonably accommodate an employee’s request for a religious observance, they must do so.
Read MoreEmployees are protected by a number of state, federal, and local laws dictating appropriate workplace conduct, but it is the unfortunate reality that not every employee knows their rights or feels free to stand up for them.
Read MoreUnder the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) of 1978, pregnant employees must not be discriminated against in the workplace. However, the PDA only applies to companies with 15 or more employees.
Read MoreRecent laws regarding same-sex marriage rights in the country have changed many peoples’ perception of sexual orientation and equality as a whole. But despite these changes and beliefs, sexual orientation is not a protected class in the workplace.
Read MoreSexual harassment is an unfortunate problem that still exists in workplaces everywhere. When you get to the point where you feel the need to file a sexual harassment claim, it’s important to know what the law says about this issue, as it will help you make a better-informed decision on how to proceed.
Read MoreAbout a month ago, this blog discussed the fact that when it comes to filing an employment discrimination suit in a court of law, there may be a requirement to 'exhaust all administrative remedies.'
Read MoreOklahoma law does not recognize a private cause of action that can be filed in the state's courts for discrimination in the workplace, with the exception of those cases which involve discrimination on the basis of disability.
Read MoreThis blog has dealt previously with the filing of complaints with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). While that entity certainly plays a role in enforcing anti-discrimination laws, there are also state government resources in Oklahoma that are available.
Read MoreAmericans seem to be working longer hours these days than they did 30 years ago, and most people agree that U.S. residents work more and take fewer vacations than people living in some of the other industrialized countries.
Read MoreWe have spoken in the past about various forms of workplace discrimination, such as that based on race, gender or disability. We have also mentioned that federal law makes it illegal to discriminate against someone on the basis of age. But what does this mean, and to what ages does it apply?
Read MoreThis blog has previously discussed the fact that Oklahoma is generally an "at will" employment state, but that it is still illegal for employers to discriminate in hiring and promotion of certain categories of people, or based upon certain characteristics.
Read MoreThis blog has previously noted the discriminatory employment practices that are forbidden by federal and Oklahoma law. We have also discussed some of the methods by which employees can protect their rights under those laws.
Read MoreThis blog has previously discussed that some employment discrimination situations can be reported to the federal government for investigation. An institution of higher learning in Oklahoma is about to find out exactly what that looks like.
Read MoreThe United States Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against Southeastern Oklahoma State University over violations of the Civil Rights Act. The lawsuit claims a transgender employee at the college was a victim of discrimination and retaliation.
Read MoreThis blog has previously discussed the various forms of employment discrimination that Oklahoma and federal law forbid, along with the process used to file a claim with the Oklahoma Human Rights Commission and the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. But, what if that doesn't work, or if a worker wants to file a suit and have their day in court?
Read MoreResidents of Oklahoma may have heard the term "at will" employment bandied about from time to time. While it may seem self-explanatory, sometimes there is confusion as to what it entails. What does this term mean and how does it affect employer-employee relations in the state?
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