Vermont Recognizes Civil Unions
In April 2000 the Vermont legislature passed and the governor signed landmark legislation granting same gender coup.
Transgender Employee Required to Use Restroom of His Biological Gender
Parsons Behle & Latimer
The Minnesota Supreme Court upheld an employer's decision to require a biologically male employee to use the men's restroom despite his "transgender" female self-image. The employee was born male but considered herself female.
Major Changes To California's Fair Employment And Housing Act Provide Increased Protections To Employees
Gayle L. Eskridge of Eskridge Law
Several sweeping changes to the California Fair Employment and Housing Act ("FEHA") took effect January 1, 2000. .
Employer Quandaries On Same-Sex Marriage
Evelyn A. Haralampu of Burns & Levinson LLP
In Goodridge v. Department of Public Health, the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts recently decided that under the Constitution of the Commonwealth, it is unlawful to deny marriage licenses to same-sex couples. As a result, it is possible that by sometime next year, same-sex couples will be permitted to marry in Massachusetts and be subject to the rights and responsibilities of civil marriage.
Lex Mentis - The Transvestites' Bill of Rights
James J. McDonald of Fisher & Phillips LLP
In 2003, California became only the third state to enact legislation specifically protecting transgendered employees from workplace discrimination. It did so, moreover, in a clumsy and ill-defined fashion that will likely lead to considerable mischief in the courts in California and a spread of this movement to other states.
California's new law will pose a significant challenge for employers who will now have to assimilate transgendered employees into the workforce. A few large employers have already adopted rules and guidelines for the treatment of transgendered employees.
Facts About Pregnancy Discrimination
United States Department of Labor-Office of the Solicitor
This fact sheet gives an overview of what constitutes pregnancy discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Court Rules On Same Sex Domestic Partner Benefits and Sexual Orientation Discrimination
E. Andrew Jordan of Jordan Schrader Ramis PC
The policies provided by OHSU in Tanner provided benefits only to married couples and disallowed ben.
Religion in the Workplace
Parsons Behle & Latimer
In California, a homosexual employee is taking his former employer to trial for religious discrimination based on comments by his Mormon supervisor. The supervisor allegedly told the gay employee he should "become heterosexual and a Mormon or he would go to hell." The plaintiff also claims he was pressured to participate in prayer meetings at work.
January 1st Changes To California Law Warrant Revisions To Employer Policies and Practices
Linda M. Edwards of Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP
In addition to changing the overtime and sick leave laws, (See Footnote 1) the California State Legislature recentl.
Same-Sex Marriage Legal In Massachusetts -- What Does This Mean For Employers In And Outside Of The Commonwealth Of Massachusetts?
Karen E. Schneck and Sonia Macias Steele of Littler Mendelson, P.C.
On May 17, 2004, same-sex couples, meeting all other eligibility requirements, will be entitled to apply for and obtain marriage certificates within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. While the entitlement of same-sex couples to marry in Massachusetts is clear, what this decision means for Massachusetts and out-of-state employers in administering their employment policies and benefits plans, remains far from clear.