Gay marriage is a fundamental right, protected by the U.S. Constitution and legal in all 50 states thanks to the 5-4 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, announced June 26. With this landmark decision behind them, many gay rights advocates are talking about the next major goal: employment protection for people in the […]

As marijuana becomes legal in many states, one question remains: Can employers prohibit their employee’s from using marijuana? In Colorado, the answer is “yes.” On June 15, the Colorado Supreme Court unanimously held in Coats v. Dish Network that employers can discipline and terminate employees who test positive for the drug, even though recreational and […]

Workplace harassment remains pervasive, hurting individuals and costing companies millions. Earlier this month, social scientists gathered to discuss harassment and its causes at the first meeting of U.S. Equal Opportunity Commission’s Select Task Force on Workplace Harassment. One of the largest factors is organizational climate, said Dr. Mindy Bergman, an associate professor of psychology at […]

In a new report, a federal agency is addressing the rights of transgender people in the workplace. In its four-page guide, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) brings up bathrooms, in particular, recommending that employers provide transgender workers with access to restrooms that correspond with their gender identity. “Restricting employees to using only restrooms […]

Sex harassment sometimes stems from gender bias, which is especially prevalent in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields. A recent study by the Harvard Business Review shows this problem goes beyond pay imbalances. More than 60 percent of women in STEM reported they have to prove their competence more than men. The surveyors […]

Florida is an at-will state, which means you can be fired at any time for any reason or no reason at all. You are employed at the will of your employer. However, that doesn’t mean you’re without rights. You are protected by Federal law from workplace discrimination and wrongful termination. But just what does that […]

The Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) forbids discrimination based on a candidate or employee being pregnant. If you work for (or were interviewing with) a company that employs more than 15 people and you’ve received unfair treatment based on your pregnancy, your next step is the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). In Florida, you only have […]

The Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 (“PDA”) protects your rights as a pregnant employee. If you think you have a discrimination case consider the following: Your Company Size The PDA only governs companies that employ greater than 15 people. If you work for a smaller company, or work part-time, you are not covered by it. […]

In December of last year, the Supreme Court heard arguments in a case entitled “Young versus United Parcel Service/UPS.” This is the most high-profile case in pregnancy discrimination in several decades. The question at hand is equality. Does a pregnant employee have the same rights as an employee who becomes incapacitated due to illness or […]

2014 was a big year for pregnancy discrimination law and 2015 will most likely be even bigger. Here are five moments that could go down as landmark decisions in women’s rights and pregnancy in the workplace. The US Supreme Court Takes up the Young vs. UPS Case This is by far the biggest event in […]