Sexual Harassment Verdict

Jon Lewis — Sun, 10 May 2009 12:53:52 GMT

Hyundai was hit with a $5.79 million verdict last week for sexual harassment. The case was tried in federal court in Montgomery, Alabama. Alicia Haynes was the attorney for the plaintiff, Tammy Edwards. According to a Birmingham News article, Mike Swindle, a manager, made lewd comments and gestures, propositioned her, and even pressed his body against her. These activities lasted for five months.

Ms. Edwards was told she should get used to it and act like it didn't bother her. She reported this to upper management, and instead of taking action against the manager, they moved her to a position she couldn't physically perform. According the plaintiff attorney, the company had no policies in place to prevent these actions, and apparently, the jury agreed.

Unfortunately, these types of actions still occur in the workplace, and the only way to prevent them is for people to come out and report them and back each other up. Ms. Edwards didn't take the position that she would just have to get used to it. She did something about it, and the employees who have "gotten used to it" should thank her for taking a stand. No one should have to endure such treatment when they are working hard to make a living for themselves and their families. We as a society should not tolerate or condone this activity either.

I am proud of Ms. Edwards, and I hope her verdict will stand on appeal which is likely where the case will end.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jon Lewis

Supreme Court Age Discrimination Ruling

Jon Lewis — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 17:58:23 GMT

On Thursday, June 19, 2008, the United States Supreme Court issued a ruling on age discrimination. According to the Birmingham News, the Court held 7 to 1 that "when older workers are disproportionately affected by an employment decision, the employer bears the burden of explaining whether there was a reasonable explanation other than age for the company's action." This was a case filed by twenty-six employees laid off by Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory in upstate New York. They claimed Knolls violated the Federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act.

In light of our aging population, we will probably begin to see more and more instances of these types of cases. It is good to see that we have a statute and a court which will protect those people who are discriminated against simply because they are older and have worked their way up the ladder. Such loyal employees should be rewarded and not kicked out for a cheaper, younger employee.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jon Lewis

Birmingham Personal Injury Lawyer - Workplace Discrimination

Sexual Harassment Verdict

Supreme Court Age Discrimination Ruling