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Round Two: New Suits Against Wal-Mart in Sex Discrimination Case

October 28, 2011 by ·
Worker Discrimination

Although the Supreme Court shot down a class action lawsuit against Wal-Mart earlier this year, a group of women are continuing to pursue a lawsuit against the retail super giant using a new tactic.  The new lawsuit seeks to narrow the class of women alleging institutional discrimination to workers exclusively in California. The thrust of the original (and now amended) lawsuit is that Wal-Mart systematically denied women workers pay raises and promotions.  The original class action lawsuit … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Employment Discrimination, Unfair Pay Practices, Worker Rights, workers compensation

L&I Moves Public Rate Hearing To Renton Pavilion in Anticipation of Large Turnout

October 20, 2011 by ·
Screen shot 2011-10-21 at 12.05.43 AM

Last month the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) announced a possible 2.5% increase in the average rate of workers' compensation premiums for 2012.  Every year, L&I is required to review premiums and make changes to cover the projected costs of claims filed in the coming year. In anticipation of a large turnout at its public rate hearing on Wednesday, October 26, L&I announced that it will relocate the venue.  The hearing was originally scheduled for L&I's Tukwila … [Read more...]

Filed Under: L&I

Canada Toughens Workplace Violence Laws

October 18, 2011 by ·
Workplace Violence

While still uncommon, it seems like the evening news is reporting more and more sad instances of disgruntled employees bringing violence to the workplace.  Just last Wednesday, a troubled ex-husband of a hairdresser entered a Salon in Seal Beach, California and murdered eight people.  While the perpetrator was not an employee of the Salon, the shooting is a reminder that employees are also human beings with families, relationships, and sometimes complex problems…all factors that can lead to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Worker Injury, Worker Rights, workers compensation

Toxic Travel Alert: Boeing Settles Workers’ Compensation Suit

October 13, 2011 by ·
Boeing aircraft

Boeing Corporation recently settled a suit by a former American Airlines worker who claimed she has suffered from multiple complications after being exposed to toxic fumes in the cabin.  Terry Williams now suffers from a range of symptoms, from memory loss to sever headaches.  What is particularly troubling is that her experience was not an isolated incident and that design flaws in the very construction of jet liners might lead to toxic substances entering the air circulation system. While … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Uncategorized, Worker Injury, workers compensation, Workplace Accident

How Seattle Employers Can Prepare for Mandatory Paid Sick and Safe Leave

October 11, 2011 by ·
Screen shot 2011-10-11 at 11.07.12 PM

As we recently reported, on September 12 the Seattle City Council passed an ordinance that mandates paid sick time for workers in jobs within the Seattle city limits.  City Council press releases explained that the bill “is about ensuring healthier workplaces by preventing the spread of disease.” But in practice this new law will cover a much broader terrain, mandating paid sick leave not only when an employee is sick, but also when a family member is ill or when a worker or family member … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Paid Sick Leave, Worker Rights
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