Some employees abuse drugs and create unsafe work environments for other employees or compromise public safety. Employers interested in creating a drug-free workplace may test for certain illegal drugs, such as meth, but some employers are also branching out to test for certain prescription drugs. As the use of prescription drugs and abuse of prescription drugs has increased, employers are concerned about their liability in the event of a workplace accident.
When Does Drug Testing Become an Invasion of Privacy?
When Does Employer Drug Testing Become Discrimination?
An article recently appearing in The New York Times takes an in-depth look at the issue of drug testing in the workplace. The presence of illegal drugs, such as marijuana or cocaine, in an employee's system could lead to their immediate termination. But, increasingly, employees are finding that they can lose their jobs for taking legal medications prescribed to them by their doctors.
Anita Hill, Clarence Thomas Sexual Harassment Case Back in the News
Anita Hill received a phone call the other day from Virginia Thomas, the wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, asking her to apologize to her husband for accusing him of sexual harassment 20 years ago. Hill testified at the confirmation hearings of Justice Thomas in 1991, and almost cost him the nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court. Hill accused Justice Thomas of sexually harassing her while he was her boss at the Education Department and Equal Opportunity Commission during the Reagan Administration.
Appeals Court Says No Immediate Changes to 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Policy
Last week, U.S. District Judge Virginia Phillips ruled that the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy was unconstitutional because it violated gay service members' First Amendment rights by requiring them to remain silent about their sexual orientation. On Wednesday, a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals put the decision temporarily on hold.
Judge Rules "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Policy Unconstitutional
Our previous post talked about National Coming Out Day and how a gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender employee might decide to come out at work, and how if the workplace is a safe and supportive place to be openly gay with policies against sexual orientation discrimination, being out could actually improve a GLBT worker's professional life. In the news this week, is the question and controversy over whether military service members should be able to come out of the closet in their workplace.
National Coming Out Day Was October 11
Monday of this week was National Coming Out Day. Events around the country on that day and all week commemorate a person's decision to "come out" as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or as a straight ally for the rights of GLBT individuals.
Awareness Month Aims to Help Disabled Workers Get Hired
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month and many organizations around the country are stepping up their efforts to help disabled workers in the U.S. get hired. At least 54 million people in the U.S. are living with a disability. People with disabilities face a higher rate of unemployment than those without disabilities.
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month
The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy is working hard to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities. This month, they have launched The Campaign for Disability Employment in honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
Meg Whitman's Former Housekeeper Sues for Lost Wages
The heated race for governor of California has taken a dramatic turn. Meg Whitman has been accused by a former housekeeper of mistreatment. The former housekeeper, Nicky Diaz Santillan, claims that Whitman knew that she was an undocumented worker and illegal immigrant, but used this information to exploit Santillan. Santillan has now brought a claim against Whitman demanding compensation for lost wages.