Last week, a New York pizzeria restaurant group agreed to pay $50,000 to settle a national origin discrimination lawsuit. The EEOC alleged that the restaurant group discriminated against Hispanic employees by subjecting them to racial slurs and name calling based on their national origin.  The EEOC also asserted that the employer unlawfully required that the workers speak only English in the workplace.  In addition to the settlement payment, the restaurant group agreed to “extensive safeguards to prevent further discrimination” in a consent decree. 

 

Discrimination

 

The Missouri House passed legislation that would allow employers and landlords to legally discriminate against women who use birth control or have abortions.

 

The EEOC sued Texas-based Alas Resource Partners for age bias, alleging that an experienced foreman was fired because his supervisor preferred younger workers.

 

Technology

 

HR Dive examined science and technology tools that can help employers manage “people problems” in the workplace.

 

Forbes reported that Facebook, Alphabet, and Apple earned more than $1 million per U.S. worker in 2016.

 

HR Dive highlighted the importance of considering whether employer technology and software are ADA-compliant and accessible for employees with disabilities.

 

Wage and Hour

 

Insurance software startup Zenefits agreed to pay $3.4 million in unpaid overtime to 743 account executives and salespeople in Arizona and California that it allegedly misclassified as exempt from minimum wage and overtime.

 

Servers and restaurant owners in Minneapolis are considering suing for lost wages if the city passes a $15 minimum wage ordinance.

 

In Other News

 

A woman-focused coworking space in Seattle is integrating wellness services in the workspace, with the goal of making entrepreneurship more accessible for women.

 

Some employers are considering offering benefits to gig economy workers.

 

NPR asked how HR would handle the numerous vacancies remaining to be filled in the current administration.

 

US News & World Report looked at why fewer teens are taking summer jobs.

 

A shortage of H-2B visas may be harming small businesses who rely on seasonal staff from abroad.

 

Truck drivers at the Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach went on strike to protest the terms of independent drivers’ work agreements.

 

The New York Times reported on the steps the current administration is taking to make major changes to federal labor policy.

 

Reuters published a special report on blue-collar workers in an Indiana manufacturing town who want better paying and more secure jobs, and believe the current administration will deliver them.