A federal court in Indiana dismissed the disability discrimination and retaliation claims of a DOT-regulated driver who failed a random drug test due to prescription opioid use, holding that he did not sufficiently adhere to the employer’s policy or DOT regulations when he failed to produce a Safety Concern Letter from the prescribing physician. Ross
2,000 COVID-19-Related Employment Lawsuits Filed in the U.S.: An Analysis of the Data and Trends
On April 6, 2021, the total number of COVID-19-related employment complaints filed in United States courts passed the 2,000 mark. Although it took eight months to reach the first 1,000 complaints (March–November 2020), it took less than five months to go from 1,000 to 2,000. Indeed, December 2020 through March 2021 included the four busiest
Regular Attendance is Essential Even if Employer was Lenient in the Past, Fifth Circuit Holds
An employer’s past leniency in applying and enforcing its attendance policy did not contradict the employer’s later position that regular worksite attendance was required for employment, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has held. Weber v. BNSF Railway Co., No. 20-10295 (5th Cir. Feb. 24, 2021).
This provides guidance for employers
2021 Is Here: Time for Your Annual Employment Law Compliance Checkup
The year 2020 is finally behind us! We might not be able to breathe a sigh of relief just yet but the beginning of a new year is still a good time to pause and review your labor and employment law compliance for the year. COVID-19 is still with us and demanding our attention but
Court Excludes EEOC Determination Letter That Contained Factual Inaccuracies and Conclusions of Law
Courts regularly act as gatekeepers in determining what evidence juries are entitled to hear at trial. In Nuccio v. Shell Pipeline Co., LP, a federal district court barred an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) determination letter because its probative value was outweighed by its prejudice. No. 19-446-WBV-DPC (E.D. La. Dec. 11, 2020). Nuccio highlights an
Employee Incapable of Complying with Valid Safety Requirements is Not a “Qualified” Individual
An employee who is categorically unable to comply with an employer’s valid workplace safety requirement is not a “qualified” individual under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), even if the safety requirement is not part of the “essential functions” of the employee’s position, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit has reaffirmed in
Employer Fitness for Duty Policy Survives Disability Discrimination Claim
A district court ruled that a long-time railroad trackman, who was pulled from service following safety complaints from his coworkers and supervisors, failed to prove that he was considered disabled under the ADA, and failed to prove that his employer (the railroad) violated the ADA when it required him to undergo a “fitness for duty”
Seventh Circuit Continues To Find That Lengthy Leaves of Absence May Not Be Reasonable Accommodations Under the ADA
On December 30, 2020, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit issued its opinion in McAllister v. Innovation Ventures, LLC, No. 20-1779 (7th Cir., Dec. 30 2020), and held that an employer did not violate the ADA where it terminated its employee after it became clear that she would require several additional
Ignorance of Interplay between FMLA and ADA Can Be Costly To Employers
One mistake often made by employers is assuming that after an employee has exhausted his or her 12 weeks of protected Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave, the employer’s obligation is fulfilled. While this may satisfy the employer’s medical leave obligations, the employer also must account for any potential duties under the Americans with Disabilities
2018 New Year’s Resolutions For Lowering the Risk of Employment Litigation
When Jackson Lewis litigation attorneys looked back at cases, trials, and verdicts from the past year, we observed how companies can make themselves less of a target for claims. Below are some New Year’s resolutions that can help lower the risk of employment litigation:
- Train managers. Train employees. Keep a record of the training, including