Category Archives: Discrimination

EEOC Issues Updated Guidance Regarding Specific Disabilities

“Nearly 34 million Americans have been diagnosed with cancer, diabetes, or epilepsy, and more than 2 million have an intellectual disability . . . .  Many of them are looking for jobs or are already in the workplace.”                                   EEOC Chair … Continue reading

Posted in ADA, Discrimination, Labor and Employment | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Timing is Everything!

Timing of a disciplinary or adverse action against an employee is important in avoiding litigation.  If an adverse employment action is on the heels of an employee’s engagement in a protected activity (such as filing a claim with the MCAD), … Continue reading

Posted in Discrimination, Emotional Distress, Retaliation | Leave a comment

Recent Federal Case Underscores the Importance of Supervisory Training

A recent decision of our federal appellate court serves as a reminder that supervisors are the company’s first line of defense and, therefore, underscores the importance of investing in adequate supervisory training.   In Acevedo-Parrilla, et al. v. Novartis Ex-Lax, Inc., … Continue reading

Posted in Age, Discrimination | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

MCAD Awards One of the Largest Emotional Distress Recoveries in Its History

The Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination hit Office Max with $300,000 in emotional distress damages in a recent retaliation case.  Office Max claimed that the Complainant, a 13 year employee of Office Max, was terminated due to insufficient sales numbers and … Continue reading

Posted in Discrimination, Emotional Distress, Retaliation, Termination | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Not All Injuries are Disabilities!

The American’s with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) has left many employers asking: “What doesn’t qualify as a disability?” A recent Massachusetts case offers one example of when an injury, at least under these facts, is not a disability/handicap. The … Continue reading

Posted in ADA, Discrimination | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Medical Marijuana Laws

On October 1, 2012, Connecticut will become the seventeenth state to legalize medical use of marijuana. Under this new law, Connecticut residents with a diagnosed debilitating medical condition such as cancer, glaucoma, HIV, AIDS, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, damage to … Continue reading

Posted in ADA, Discrimination, FMLA | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment