Category: BLOG
Reflection on National Whistleblower Day 2021
Why do we honor whistleblowers today? We honor whistleblowers because we rely on them to expose corporate wrongdoing. Whether insider employees, consumers or patients – whistleblowers see illegal conduct and do something about it. We honor whistleblowers because they model integrity and courage. Whistleblowers take a stand knowing that blowing the whistle is risky business …
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COVID-19 – IS WORKING FROM HOME A “REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION” UNDER THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT?
For the better part of the last 15 months, employees across the country have been required to work remotely as the world has struggled with the effects of the COVID-19 global pandemic. Now, though, restrictions are starting to lift, and employers are beginning to ask, or, in some instances, insist, that their workers come back …
What is Marital Status Discrimination?
Were you fired from marital status discrimination, because of your spouse or something that your spouse did? Or, were you discriminated against at work because you are single, married, or divorced? Under Minnesota law, it is illegal for an employer to refuse to hire, terminate an employee, or discriminate against an employee based on their …
May is Mental Health Month – Be Aware of Your Protections
May is Mental Health Month – a time to promote and unite our efforts around mental health awareness. Millions of people in the U.S. are affected by mental illness each year. In fact, 1 in 5 adults will experience some form of mental illness during their lifetime.[1] Those numbers are destined to increase as the …
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State and Federal Authorities Denounce Racism Amid Increasing Attacks Against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders
Since the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, racist and xenophobic attacks against the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community have been on the rise. A study analyzing police department statistics across 16 major U.S. cities found anti-Asian hate crimes increased by 150% in 2020, while overall hate crimes fell by 7%. Only weeks ago, …
Can the False Claims Act Protect Former Employees?
A recent decision out the 6th Circuit reinforces that former employees are protected from retaliation under the False Claims Act – even when the retaliatory conduct happens after they are fired or leave the company. In the lawsuit, an employee alleged he was “marginalized” for insisting on compliance with the law during his employment and …
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Legislation to Prohibit Arbitration Clauses from Denying Employees Their Day in Court
Forced arbitration is a powerful tool used by employers to limit employees from suing them in court. Under the Federal Arbitration Act (“FAA”), employers have wide latitude to force employees into mandatory arbitration. Arbitration is a binding process that is conducted by a private judge (arbitrator), instead of a public trial. Arbitration can have many …
False Claims Act Focus for 2021
Knowing the kinds of fraud the federal government is focused on fighting is an important warning to health care providers, contractors, grantees, and others doing business with the government. But this information is also a source of encouragement for those who blow the whistle when such business dealings turn into fraud. Acting Assistant Attorney General …
The Equality Act – LGBTQ Discrimation Laws
Does federal law protect LGBT individuals? In a groundbreaking decision, the United States Supreme Court ruled in favor of three employee plaintiffs—two gay men and one transgender woman—in Bostock v. Clayton County, Georgia (which was consolidated with Altitude Express, Inc. v. Zarda and G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Homes v. EEOC). ‘The Court held that …
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Civil Lawsuits: Providing a path to create social change
With the Covid-19 pandemic, violent hate groups, policing misconduct, national crises, and societal challenges at the forefront, people may be quick to say, “There should be a law (or regulation) against that.” In many instances, there are laws in place. The question is, How they are enforced? Regulatory bodies such as legislatures or government agencies …
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