Training Time—Compensable or Not?

the situation You have a new business that will require a number of employees with a particular skill set. You find a way to get a local community college to offer a free training course focused on this particular skill.  At the conclusion of the course, you open for business.  Can the employees make a […]

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Keeping Your Story Straight—The Importance of Consistency to Avoid FMLA Interference Liability

Keeping Your Story Straight—The Importance of Consistency to Avoid FMLA Interference Liability by Elaine Inman Hogan, “The Job Description”, published by The Defense Research Institute (April 26, 2016) As employment lawyers, we are all too aware of the importance of consistency and the dangers of inconsistency when it comes to the application of employment policies.  […]

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Fired for F-Bombs?

the situation You have received some reports that one of your supervisors is demeaning and hostile toward employees and “drops f-bombs on a daily basis.”  You investigate the complaints and determine that the complaints are substantiated.  You counsel the supervisor but don’t take any formal disciplinary action. The supervisor then lets you know he may […]

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Routine Deletion of Video Records Could Cost You

the situation One of your employees gets into a physical altercation with a supervisor.  The employee and the supervisor point the finger at each other, each claiming the other started it.  Fortunately, you have video footage of the incident from surveillance cameras in the relevant area.  You review the footage and decide the employee is […]

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CWM Attorneys Recognized by Virginia Super Lawyers®

Crenshaw, Ware & Martin, P.L.C. is pleased to announce that ten of its lawyers were included in the 2016 list of Virginia Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars.  According to Virginia Super Lawyers®, less than 5% of all lawyers in Virginia are selected in the process, which includes peer nominations combined with independent research.  The 2016 […]

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Title VII Liability for Racist Remarks of a Non Decisionmaker?

the situation Based on reports made by your supervisor about some performance problems of one of his subordinates, you fire him.  The terminated employee then claims that the supervisor made a number of racist statements to him.  Since the supervisor didn’t make the decision to fire the employee, can your company still face a claim […]

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How Far Can You Go With Medical Inquiry of a Prospective Employee?

the situation You have found a good candidate for an open position—the only thing between him and the job is a medical screening.  During the screening, you become aware that he had a back injury a few years ago and you are worried he can’t do the job, which is fairly physically demanding.  Can you […]

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Can You Take Back a Job Offer if He Becomes a She?

the situation  You are interviewing a number of candidates for a vacant position.  One particular candidate stands out and he seems like he will be the best fit.  After you offer him the job, he tells you that he is a transgender and will be presenting as a female by the time he begins to […]

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Did She Quit or was She Fired? In FMLA Context, Could Mean Liquidated Damages

the situation Your HR Director is under a lot of stress—both based on some personal issues and some issues between her and the CEO. According to the CEO, during a heated conversation, she quits. She claims she just told the CEO that she was thinking of quitting and that she was actually fired when she […]

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Does Harassment Based on Sexual Orientation Count as Sex Discrimination?

the situation One of your supervisors has been making offensive comments to a gay employee about his sexual orientation fairly frequently.   The employee complains to you, but you don’t take it seriously and thus, don’t take any action.  The employee then quits.  Could you face a possible claim under Title VII?

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