By David J. Rowland and Danielle R. Rabie
Seyfarth Synopsis: In a 2-1 decision in Bilinsky v American Airlines, Inc., 2019 WL 2610944 (7th Cir. June 26, 2019), the Seventh Circuit recently affirmed American Airlines’ summary judgment win against a former employee who alleged American violated the ADA by failing to allow her to continue to work remotely
Continue Reading Close Call: American Airlines Wins ADA Case by One Vote, but the Warning Signals for Employers are Loud and Clear
By Erin Dougherty Foley and Grace Nickels
Seyfarth Synopsis: New decision from the Supreme Court ruled that Title VII’s requirement that plaintiffs file with the EEOC or other state agencies is a non-jurisdictional claim-processing rule, which means it can be forfeited if a defendant waits too long to raise the objection.
On June 3, 2019, the U.S. Supreme Court resolved
Continue Reading Use It or Lose It: Supreme Court Rules that Failure to Exhaust Defense Must be Prompt
By Renate M. Walker, Lynn Kappelman and Hillary J. Massey
Seyfarth Synopsis: Laws protecting individuals from discrimination and harassment in the workplace are expanding rapidly at the state and local levels, while the federal landscape remains unclear regarding LGBTQ rights. In light of the rapidly changing landscape, employers should review their policies, handbooks, and training materials for compliance at
Continue Reading The Uncertain Landscape of Discrimination & Harassment Laws: Expanding the Definition of “Protected Class”
By Michael Jacobsen, Christopher DeGroff, and Gerald L. Maatman, Jr.
Seyfarth Synopsis: On April 10, 2019, the EEOC released its comprehensive enforcement and litigation statistics for Fiscal Year 2018. The release arrived a few months later than usual – likely due to the recent government shutdown – but still packed a punch in several respects, including to the back-drop
By Annette Tyman, Randel K. Johnson, and Michael L. Childers
Seyfarth Synopsis: The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia vacates the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) prior order staying the implementation of the revised EEO-1 Report which required employers to report W-2 wage information and total hours worked.
On March 4, 2019, the U.S.
Continue Reading Breaking News: D.C. Court Reinstates Collection of Pay Data on EEO-1 Report
By Kevin Green and Jesse Coleman
Seyfarth Synopsis: A recent editorial authored by two female doctors in the Canadian Medical Association Journal proclaims that, “in the era of #MeToo, it is time for physicians to acknowledge that the medical profession is not immune to bullying, harassment and discrimination, and act to abolish these behaviours.” #MeToo and the Medical Profession
Continue Reading #MeToo Confronts Health Care
By Dawn Reddy Solowey and Latoya R. Laing
Seyfarth Synopsis: The 8th Circuit recently held that while a request for a religious accommodation may qualify as a protected activity, it is not necessarily “oppositional” so as to give rise to an opposition-clause retaliation claim under Title VII. Employers considering requests for religious accommodation should, despite this Circuit’s narrow decision,
Continue Reading 8th Circuit Agrees, Request for Religious Accommodation is not Oppositional Conduct
By Gerald L. Maatman, Jr., Michael L. DeMarino, and Rebecca S. Bjork
Seyfarth Synopsis: Although back pay has been awarded in Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) cases for quite some time, few courts have specifically addressed whether these damages are discretionary or mandatory. In EEOC v. Baltimore County., No. 16-2216, 2018 WL 4472062, at *1 (4th
Continue Reading Fourth Circuit Sides With EEOC: Back Pay Damages Are Mandatory Under The ADEA
By Oluwafunmito (“Funto”) P. Seton and Linda Schoonmaker
Seyfarth Synopsis: In recent years, a body of law has developed surrounding pattern or practice lawsuits brought by the EEOC. This has helped to clarify, for example, when the 300-day filing cutoff applies, or whether the claimant is eligible for damages as opposed to just equitable relief. In a recent decision
Continue Reading Recent Decision Clarifies the Legal Framework for EEOC’s Pattern-Or-Practice Lawsuits under Section 706
Seyfarth Synopsis: The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission recently settled lawsuits with two employers it claims violated the Americans with Disabilities Act after rejecting a job applicant and terminating an employee based on their prescription drug use.
The opioid crisis is dominating the news. And, employers have reason to be concerned. According to the Bureau of
Continue Reading EEOC Scrutinizes Employer Policies Regarding Prescription Drug Use