Employment Law

Employment law and consumer protection, explained by the attorneys who litigate it. Straight answers on your rights at work and in the marketplace.

Employment Law

EEOC Sues Presbyterian Healthcare Associates For Disability Discrimination

April 4, 2013

According to a lawsuit filed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Presbyterian Healthcare Associates Corp., a private regional medical center that operates Presbyterian Hospital and four other general hospitals, violated federal law by refusing to hire a qualified job applicant because of an impairment to his knee. As part of a training program at a local community college Donovus Todd […]

Employment Law

Dependable Health Services, Inc settles disability discrimination lawsuit

April 3, 2013

Dependable Health Services, Inc. (DHS), a provider of contract workers to United States military facilities, has agreed to a $40,000 disability discrimination settlement with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The EEOC’s lawsuit alleged that DHS fired an employee when she returned to work after being hospitalized for stroke-like symptoms, because management officials believed she had suffered a stroke. The […]

Employment Law

GameStop Faces A Wage and Hour Class Action Lawsuit

March 30, 2013

Gamestop, the self-proclaimed, ” world’s largest video game retailer with over 6600 stores in 15 countries worldwide and online, ” is facing a wage and hour class action lawsuit following allegations that systematically neglected to pay their employees for all hours worked. (Case No. 37-2012-00098353-CU-OE-CTL) According to the plaintiffs, they were required to clock-out, but continue working off the […]

Employment Law

Jenny Craig Facing Unpaid Wages Class Action Lawsuit

March 30, 2013

Two former Jenny Craig employees Tammy Weinstein and Melissa Pallini have filed an unpaid wages class-action lawsuit, alleging that the diet chain giant shortchanged them by a 1/2 hour per day for every shift they worked, even though they worked during their 30-minute break times. If this is found to be true it is a in violation of employment law. […]

Employment Law

Electric company must pay $95,000 to settle a religious discrimination lawsuit

March 26, 2013

Ozarks Electric, an electric cooperative, has been ordered to pay $95,000 to a former employee settle a religious discrimination lawsuit brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The EEOC’s suit claims that Ozarks Electric denied the employee a requested day off to attend a Jehovah’s Witness convention and then wrongfully terminated her when she chose to attend the convention rather […]

Employment Law

Outback Steakhouse will pay $65,000 to settle a disability discrimination lawsuit

March 26, 2013

Outback Steakhouse must pay $65,000 to settle a disability discrimination lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) on behalf of an employee with who had suffered a traumatic brain injury. Disability discrimination violates the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). According to the EEOC’s lawsuit, former Outback Steakhouse server, John Woods was fired […]

Employment Law

Security Guards Awarded $90 million in overtime class action lawsuit

March 23, 2013

American Commercial Security Services was ordered to pay 15,000 security guards $90 million in an unpaid overtime class action lawsuit. According to the lawsuit security guards were required to be “on duty” during rest breaks, in direct violation of California Labor Code sec. 226.7 which states the following: (a) No employer shall require any employee to work duringany meal or rest period mandated […]

Employment Law

Two lesbian LAPD officers awarded $1.25 million following allegations of sexual harassment

March 22, 2013

Openly gay Los Angeles Police Department officers Linda Gotham and Lynn Whitey, who were both assigned to the Van Nuys division of the L.A.P.D. claimed that on several occasions, their supervisor Sergeant Randy Hoffmaster made vulgar sexual comments and propositions. These allegations were followed by a lawsuit and investigation resulting in $1.25 million payout to avoid a trial. In addition, Sergeant Randy […]

Employment Law

Employment Laws That Protect Whistleblowers

March 22, 2013

If you have witnessed illegal or unsafe conduct in your place of employment, but were afraid to report it to the authorities because you were worried you might lose your job, you should know that there are state and federal laws designed to protect you from retaliation by your employer. For example, the federal law known as “Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002” prohibits […]

Employment Law

Southern California Hospitals Fined For Bouncing Payroll Checks

March 20, 2013

Pacific Health Corporation, the parent company of Los Angeles Metropolitan Medical Center, Tustin Hospital, Newport Specialty Hospital, Bellflower Medical Center and Anaheim General Hospital were fined $7 million following an investigation into allegations that they had failed to pay employee wages and bounced payroll checks. “Employers have an obligation to pay workers the wages they’ve earned,” […]

Employment Law

Age Discrimination Lawsuit Brought On By Prosecutor In His 60s.

March 19, 2013

Harvey Levin a former Illinois assistant attorney general was fired, even though his annual reviews indicated consistently acceptable performance. Coincidentally, according the lawsuit, there were two other attorneys over the age of 40 who were let go at the same time and replaced by younger attorneys. If this is found to be true, this may be in violation of […]

Employment Law

Factory whistleblower launches a wrongful termination lawsuit

March 19, 2013

Plaintiff Tim Pignato a former maintenance supervisor at Givaudan Flavors has filed a law suit claiming that after complaining to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) about paint chips falling into the equipment he was fired. Givaudan Flavors manufactures flavors for the beverages, dairy, savoury, sweet goods, health & wellness and food service industries to make their products more appealing to consumers. […]