DOL SECRETARY RELEASES LABOR’S FY 2010 BUDGET

Department of Labor Secretary Hilda Solis outlined DOL’s FY 2010 budget request in a national online discussion with stakeholder groups, the general public and the news media. According to the DOL’s press release, the budget request for OFCCP in FY 2010 is $109.5 million dollars, which compares with FY 2009 OFCCP budget at $82.1 million dollars. The staffing request for OFCCP for FY 2010 is 798 full time employees compared to 585 in FY 2009.

EEOC ISSUES TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ON H1N1 PREPAREDNESS COMPLIANCE WITH ADA

The EEOC issued a technical assistance document that provides guidance on how employers can prepare for the H1N1 virus without violating the Americans with Disabilities Act.

EEOC SUES RETAIL GIANT FOR HARASSMENT OF LATINOS

The EEOC announced a lawsuit against Sam’s Club, which is owned and operated by Wal-Mart. EEOC’s lawsuit alleges Latino employees endured a hostile work environment based upon their Mexican national origin.

HOSPITAL TO PAY $100K FOR FIRING EMPLOYEE BASED ON DISABILITY

A Pittsburgh hospital will pay $100,000 to settle a disability discrimination lawsuit in which the hospital allegedly fired an employee because she had cancer, according to an EEOC announcement. The EEOC alleged the hospital suddenly stopped accommodating an employee’s disability and demanded she return to work full-time with no restrictions. The EEOC claimed the supervisor discriminated against the worker after she returned to work by substantially increasing her workload, removing her staff assistant, and subjecting her to unwarranted work scrutiny.

EEOC SUES MANUFACTURER FOR SEX DISCRIMINATION

The EEOC announced a lawsuit against a manufacturer alleging it failed or refused to promote female workers because of their sex to higher-paying jobs. The EEOC claimed the company discouraged female workers from seeking higher-paying jobs.

TEXAS COMPANY TO PAY $175K TO SETTLE EEOC RETALIATION LAWSUIT

The EEOC announced that Maverick Tube Corporation will pay $175,000 to settle a retaliation lawsuit in which the company allegedly retaliated against an employee for reporting to company officials that a manager had made racially offensive comments.

COMPANY TO PAY $500K FOR HARASSMENT OF HISPANIC WORKERS

The EEOC announced that a masonry company will pay $500,000 to settle a race and national origin discrimination lawsuit alleging the company’s foremen and former superintendent made derogatory remarks to Latino employees and failed to address racist graffiti.

DRUGSTORE CHAIN TO PAY $240K TO SETTLE SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND RETALIATION LAWSUIT

EEOC announced that Duane Reade Inc. will pay $240,000 to settle a sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuit in which a store manager allegedly made vulgar remarks to female workers.

STORAGE COMPANY TO PAY $95K FOR DISABILITY BIAS FOR COSMETIC DISFIGUREMENT

The EEOC announced that a Maryland-based storage facility will pay $95,000 to settle a disability discrimination lawsuit that alleged the company unlawfully fired a maintenance worker, who had a visible disfigurement as a result of sustaining severe burns to his body in a house fire.

ILLINOIS CONSTRUCTION COMPANY TO PAY $630K IN RACIAL BIAS LAWSUIT

The EEOC announced that a construction company headquartered in Illinois will pay $630,000 to settle a race discrimination class lawsuit in which the company allegedly terminated several African American employees because of their race and retaliated against the lead plaintiff after finding out he previously filed a lawsuit against another employer for race discrimination.