By Kristin G. McGurn and Bridget M. Maricich
Seyfarth Synopsis: A recent decision by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, part of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, reaffirmed a growing circuit split regarding whether Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 preempts concurrent claims raised under Title IX of the Education Amendments Act
Continue Reading VII Before IX: Continuing Saga in Harassment Claim Preemption
By Kyla J. Miller and Dawn Reddy Solowey
Seyfarth Synopsis: The Department of Justice filed a lawsuit on behalf of a nursing home employee alleging she was forced to receive a flu shot to keep her job when she could not provide a note from a clergy member in support of her request, causing emotional distress that made her
Continue Reading Forcing the Flu Shot? DOJ Sues Over Flu Policy That Requires A Note From The Clergy
By Scott Rabe and Marlin Duro
Seyfarth Synopsis: In its recent decision in EEOC v. R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Homes, Inc., No. 16-2424, 2018 U.S. App. LEXIS 5720 (6th Cir. Mar. 7, 2018), the U.S. Court of Appeal for the Sixth Circuit has sent the strong message that the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) has minimal impact
Continue Reading Sixth Circuit Finds EEOC’s Enforcement of Title VII Does Not Need to “Give Way” to Religious Freedom Restoration Act
By Scott Rabe and Sam Schwartz-Fenwick
Seyfarth Synopsis: In landmark decision, the Second Circuit joins the Seventh Circuit in holding that Title VII prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation as a subset of sex discrimination.
In a landmark decision today in Zarda v. Altitude Express, Inc., No. 15-3775, the Second Circuit ruled en banc that Title
Continue Reading Second Circuit Holds That Title VII Bars Sexual Orientation Discrimination
By Christine Mary Costantino and Dawn Reddy Solowey
Seyfarth Synopsis: The Tenth Circuit has recently vacated summary judgment in favor of an employer in a religious accommodation case that centers on what constitutes a “reasonable” accommodation of an employee’s observance of – and consequent inability to work on – the Sabbath. In this case, the Court found that the
Continue Reading Tenth Circuit Rules Reasonableness of Religious Accommodations Requires Factual Determination
Seyfarth Synopsis: In a recent decision, the Eighth Circuit held that Title VII does not require an employer to provide an employee a reason for termination at the time of termination, and that an employer is not strictly bound in litigation to whatever reasons may have been provided at the time of termination. Rooney v.
Continue Reading Eighth Circuit: Employer May “Elaborate” on Explanation for Termination During Litigation
Seyfarth Synopsis: The Sixth Circuit ordered a new trial in a Title VII case where plaintiff presented evidence he was entitled to back pay, the employer presented no evidence to the contrary, and the jury only awarded a small percentage of plaintiff’s ask. In ordering the new trial, the Sixth Circuit noted that the jury
Continue Reading Back Pay Burden-New Trial Ordered Where Jury Slashed Plaintiff’s Request for Back Pay
By Scott Rabe, Sam Schwartz-Fenwick, and Marlin Duro
Seyfarth Synopsis: In the first case following the Department of Justice’s pronouncement that Title VII does not prohibit discrimination against transgender persons on the basis of gender identity, a court in the Western District of Oklahoma held that Title VII protects transgender individuals from discrimination. Tudor v. Se. Okla.
Continue Reading TITLE VII: Court Breaks from Department of Justice on Transgender Rights
By Sam Schwartz-Fenwick, Michael W. Stevens, and Kylie Byron
Seyfarth Synopsis: The Department of Justice has reversed the previous Administration’s position on employment protections for transgender individuals, and issued a memorandum that will likely be relied on by private employers seeking to use their religious faith to engage in otherwise prohibited discriminatory conduct.
In a bombshell week,
Continue Reading The Ongoing Battle Between LGBTQ+ Rights And Claims Of Religious Liberty
By Sam Schwartz-Fenwick, Michael W. Stevens, and Kylie Byron
Seyfarth Synopsis: The first eight months of the new administration signals a retrenchment on the executive branch’s view of legal protections due LGBT individuals, including in employment.
Recently, in a dramatic shift, the Department of Justice broke ranks with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and filed an amicus
Continue Reading Management Alert – The Current Federal Retrenchment on LGBT Rights