The Detroit Public Schools District recently reached a settlement with a former superintendent who claimed that the district's then-board president inappropriately touched himself as the two of them met to discuss the superintendent's employment contract.To settle the...
Year: 2011
Should a bias against the unemployed be outlawed?
As readers in Detroit probably know, a great many people are out of work these days. These people face a double-barreled problem. First, there are not that many jobs to go around. Second, after an unemployed person finds a job, he or she might face a bias against...
Woman claims she was fired for perceived lesbianism
Readers in Detroit know, of course, that when they apply for a job, they are evaluated on the application materials they submit, such as a cover letter and resume. But what about other information that is readily available to employers? In this age of social...
Labor Department to crack down on wage-and-hour violations
Here is some potential good news for Detroit workers; the Labor Department has inked agreements with 12 states and the Internal Revenue Service in an attempt to catch more employers who are cheating their employees out of their wages. Michigan is not one of those 12...
New book: White House a hostile work environment for women
Harassment in the workplace does not just happen in certain job fields or in particular areas of the country -- sadly, it is far more widespread than that. A new book from a muckraking journalist even alleges that under the Obama administration, the White House is a...
Groupon hit with wage-and-hour suit
Readers in Detroit are probably familiar with Groupon, the Internet-based coupon supplier that sends notices of deals to e-mail inboxes across the country each day. In general, things are looking good for the company; it is moving toward an initial public offering,...
“Price is Right” model’s suit showcases alleged sexual harassment
By now, Detroit readers who follow this blog should know that sexual harassment in the workplace is not okay. But what if the job entails an element that promotes physical desire? Is it ever okay then?The answer is still no. A former model for the popular game show...
Carmaker faces unpaid wages claims
Given that we are the hub of the American car scene, Detroit readers probably follow stories about the automobile industry. Thus, a new story about Swedish automaker Saab and the troubles it is having with allegations of unpaid wages might be of interest.Saab,...
AT&T accused of violating employees’ rights
Many readers around Detroit use AT&T as their mobile phone carrier, so they might be interested to learn that a judge in Atlanta recently certified a class action suit against the telecom giant.The case revolves around overtime pay for certain AT&T employees....
EEOC sues on behalf of recuperating drug addict
The body of U.S. employment law was drafted with an eye towards protecting employees. Jobs are vital to everyone's well-being, of course, and our society would suffer if people were dismissed capriciously or for taking steps like reporting harassment.As is the...