Victory for Gay Discrimination Appeal

April 30, 2012 By

A recent Court of Appeal ruling has found that hotel owners directly discriminated against a gay couple. The Equality and Human Rights Commission has defended the appeal. In the case, Mr. and Mrs. Bull appealed a county court decision in which it was found that they should not have refused lodging to Mr Preddy and Mr Hall in their hotel. The owners held that they had a hotel rule in which based on their Christian faith they were not allowed to lodge unmarried couples to share a double room. The Court of Appeals agreed with the lower court’s decision in that the hotel’s rule directly discriminated against civil partners. As such, they were found to be treated differently because of their sexual orientation. Read More

Currently, discrimination and harassment based on sexual orientation is not protected by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, but this law does makes it illegal to discriminate against someone on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, or sex. Additionally, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) does not enforce the protections that prohibit discrimination and harassment based on sexual orientation. Please visit the EEOC’s website for more information.

It is challenging and stressful when people are subjected to racism or discrimination, especially in a nation that was created on premises such as equal rights for all. The lawyers at Leeds Morelli & Brown, PC, located in Nassau County, New York, have fought against discrimination for over two decades with much success. If you have been a victim of discrimination because of your age, gender, race, or sexual orientation, call 1-800-585-4658 to schedule an appointment for free consultation.

Filed Under: Discrimination Tagged With: , , , , ,

Sex Changes on the Rise in Children

April 26, 2012 By

In Chicago, Illinois, a rising number of teens and younger children are getting permission and help from parents to get sex change treatments. The Medical Journal of Pediatrics has reported that the increase in numbers has raised ethical questions. It is also reported that switching gender roles and thinking about being the opposite sex is a common condition in young children. However, some are labeled with “gender identity disorder,” which is a psychiatric diagnosis in which kids believe they were born in the wrong bodies and research suggests they may have brain differences more similar to the opposite sex. About 1 in 10,000 children have the condition, and doctors who provide the treatment have found that not performing the sex change treatment can be more harmful to the child. Read more

A rise in transgendered children and sex changes can increase exposure to discrimination. To date, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 makes it illegal to discriminate against someone on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, or sex. Additionally, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) does not enforce the protections that prohibit discrimination and harassment based on sexual orientation. Please visit the EEOC’s website for further information.

The attorneys at Leeds Morelli & Brown, P.C., are dedicated to obtaining successful outcomes for their clients regarding discrimination claims. For any questions, contact an attorney at the Leeds Morelli & Brown P.C. law firm for a free consultation at 1-800-585-4658.

Filed Under: Discrimination Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Woman Fired After Donating Kidney to Boss

April 24, 2012 By

A Hicksville woman who donated a kidney so her ailing boss could move up on an organ donation list has filed a complaint with the state Division of Human Rights saying that the woman repaid her by giving her the boot.

Deborah Stevens, 47, said Jacqueline Brucia, her boss at Atlantic Automotive Group in West Islip, asked her to donate a kidney on her behalf to the National Kidney Registry, a donation that meant that Brucia would get a kidney in return. But Stevens said even before she recovered from the surgery, Brucia, 61, turned on her, chiding her when she went home from work sick or when she needed to take extra bathroom breaks during the day, according to the complaint. – Read Full Story on Newsday.com

Filed Under: Employment Law Tagged With: , , , , ,

Same-Sex Marriage Bill Vetoed by NJ Governor

April 23, 2012 By

Governor Chris Christie has vetoed a bill which allows same sex couples to marry. He said he wants the issue to be decided by a statewide referendum. Recent polls suggest that New Jersey voters are slightly in favor of legalizing same sex marriage. State lawmakers have until the end of the legislative session in January 2014 to override the veto, which would need a two-thirds majority in both houses to succeed. Currently, Washington state, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Iowa, New York and the District of Columbia currently allow these marriages. Read more.

While discrimination and harassment based on sexual orientation is not yet protected by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, this law does makes it illegal to discriminate against someone on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, or sex. Please visit the EEOC’s website for more information.

Leeds Morelli & Brown P.C. is a well established equal opportunity and anti-discrimination firm in New York. If you or someone you know has been affected by discrimination or a violation of their civil rights please feel free to contact Leeds, Morelli & Brown, PC at 1-800-585-4658 for a free consultation or view their web page at www.lmblaw.com.

Filed Under: Civil Rights, Discrimination Tagged With: , , , ,

Product Fabricators in Minnesota Settle Disability Discrimination Suit

April 13, 2012 By

In Minneapolis, Minnesota, Product Fabricators, Inc. will pay $40,000 to settle a disability discrimination suit which was filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The lawsuit was filed in 2009 and the EEOC charged Product Fabricators when they fired a long-time employee, Dennis Anderson. The former employee was fired because he was taking a low dosage prescribed narcotic medication for back pain. The company’s policy required all employees to report whether they were taking any prescription or over the counter medication. The EEOC found that this policy was a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) because it does not relate to the ability of employees to do their jobs. Therefore, the EEOC claimed that it was unlawful because employees complied with the policy and would likely be inclined to disclose information about any disabilities or impairments they may have. Learn More

Such alleged conduct violates the law which protects employees and applicants from discrimination based on perceived disabilities. It is unlawful to discriminate against any employee or applicant because of his/her race or color in regard to hiring, termination, promotion, compensation, job training, or any other term, condition, or privilege of employment. Please visit the EEOC’s website for more information

The attorneys at Leeds, Morelli & Brown, P.C. are experienced in all matters of discrimination, racial profiling, hate crimes, harassment and bigotry. For any questions concerning discriminatory matters, contact an attorney at the Leeds Morelli & Brown P.C. law firm for a free consultation at 1-888-556-2529. Leeds Morelli & Brown P.C.’s divorce website is located at www.lmblaw.com.

Filed Under: Disabilty Discrimination, Discrimination Tagged With: , , , , ,

Publix Supermarkets Cited for Willful and Repeat Violations

April 5, 2012 By

U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Publix Supermarkets Inc. in Florida. The citations include 16 safety and health violations at one distribution facility in Jacksonville. The proposed penalties are totaling up to $182,000. One willful violation includes a $70,000 penalty for failing to follow rules to control potentially hazardous energy when employees clean equipment. Two repeat violations with penalties total $66,000 for failing to develop, document and follow lockout procedures as well as not conducting an annual inspection of the energy control regulations. As a result of these repeat violations, OSHA has placed Publix in its Severe Violator Enforcement Program, which requires follow up inspections to ensure compliance. Publix is made up of 1,026 supermarkets, operating in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama and Tennessee. The company has 15 days from receiving the citations and proposed penalties to comply, request a conference, or contest the findings. Learn More

The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 insures that employers remain responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. For more information, visit http://www.osha,gov. Under the 2007 Workers’ Compensation Reform Law, the New York State Department of Labor must administer two programs. In order to make workplaces safer and reduce workers’ compensation costs, one program is required, while the other is voluntary. The mandatory program, which is known as the Compulsory Workplace Safety and Loss Prevention Program, requires a comprehensive safety and loss prevention consultation and evaluation for an employer with: an annual payroll of over $800,000; and a workers’ compensation experience modification rating of more than 1.20. According to the New York State Department of Labor’s website, the NY Compensation Insurance Rating Board issues notices to employers that must participate in the Program. Employers that do not start a program will receive a 5% surcharge on the manual portion of their workers’ compensation premium. The surcharge goes up 5% for every year they do not comply. Employers that comply should see improved experience ratings and lower workers’ compensation costs. To get more information about the Workplace Safety and Loss Prevention Programs, click here.

If you or someone you know has been affected by a violation of labor laws or safety regulation, the lawyers at Leeds Morelli & Brown, PC, have extensive experience in handling all matters of labor disputes regarding wage and hour law, child labor law, safety violations, and workers compensation lawsuits. Victims of such offenses may be entitled to compensation. For more information or a consultation, contact Leeds Morelli & Brown, PC at 1-888-5-JOBLAW.

Filed Under: Employment Law, Labor Abuses Tagged With: , , , , ,

Product Fabricators in Minnesota Settle Disability Discrimination Suit

April 3, 2012 By

In Minneapolis, Minnesota, Product Fabricators, Inc. is a manufacturer that will pay $40,000 to settle a disability discrimination suit which was filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The lawsuit was filed in 2009 and the EEOC charged Product Fabricators when they fired a long-time employee, Dennis Anderson. The former employee was fired because he was taking a low dosage prescribed narcotic medication for back pain. The company’s policy required all employees to report whether they were taking any prescription or over the counter medication. The EEOC found that this policy was a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) because it does not relate to the ability of employees to do their jobs. Therefore, the EEOC claimed that it was unlawful because employees complied with the policy and would likely be inclined to disclose information about any disabilities or impairments they may have. Read more:

Such alleged conduct violates which protect employees and applicants from discrimination based on perceived disabilities. It is unlawful to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of his/her race or color in regard to hiring, termination, promotion, compensation, job training, or any other term, condition, or privilege of employment. Please visit the EEOC’s website.

The attorneys at Leeds, Morelli & Brown, P.C. are experienced in all matters of discrimination, racial profiling, hate crimes, harassment and bigotry. For any questions concerning discriminatory matters, contact an attorney at the Leeds Morelli & Brown P.C. law firm for a free consultation at 1-888-556-2529. Leeds Morelli & Brown P.C.’s divorce website is located at www.lbdivorcelaw.com.

Filed Under: Discrimination, Employment Law Tagged With: , , , , , ,