Is sexual harassment a form of discrimination? Yes, and it is illegal. Sexual harassment is a nefarious and pervasive form of sex discrimination that has plagued this nation for decades. And since the #metoo movement took off in 2018, the federal government has seen a spike in workplace sexual...
Race harassment settlements help hold companies accountable for a hostile work environment. However, a recent $1.75 million EEOC settlement highlights the ongoing problem of race discrimination and race harassment in the oil and gas industries. This settlement follows numerous prior race harassment settlements and shows that the industry remains...
In general, it is illegal for employers to agree not to compete for employees. This means that employers cannot agree not to solicit another employer’s employees. These agreements are called “no-poach” or “no-hire” agreements and they are illegal. In addition, employers cannot agree not pay their employees the same...
Sexual harassment is still an alarming problem in workplaces across the country. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) reports that from 2018 to 2021, it received 27,291 charges alleging sexual harassment. Employers need to be held accountable for this illegal behavior, and harmed employees should receive relief for...
In a qui tam lawsuit, a private individual brings an action on the government’s behalf. The False Claims Act (31 U.S.C. §3729-3733) authorizes qui tam actions against parties who have defrauded the federal government. The whistleblower bringing the action, also called a relator, must inform the United States of...
Qui tam laws originated in 14th century England and enabled private citizens to enforce the king’s legislative priorities. The king paid them a bounty if they won. During the Civil War years, President Lincoln encouraged Congress to codify whistleblower bounty, or “qui tam,” laws to help prevent fraud by...
“Unlimited vacation”—sounds great, doesn’t it? Company after company, from Netflix to Goldman Sachs, have switched to so-called “unlimited vacation” plans. Employers market these plans as pro-employee benefits. But are they really? “Unlimited paid time off is positioned as if it’s an amazing benefit for employees, where in fact it actually...
Some people might think that catcalling (such as whistles, suggestive comments, and sexual advances) at their workplace is just an unpleasant part of their job that they have to endure. This is untrue. Some might be asking, is catcalling sexual harassment? The answer is yes in many circumstances. If...
Fighting fraud has been a priority of the federal government for hundreds of years. The False Claims Act, originally passed in 1863, imposes legal liability on anyone who tries to defraud the federal government. Those committing fraud against the federal government may be liable for three times the government’s...
Employee disputes regarding stock options and equity agreements are on the rise. In one example, an employee recently sued his employer alleging that they lured him from his prior, higher-paying job with the promise of a stock grant based on a non-existent stock program. For example, in March 2022,...