Diversity Inclusion

A federal district court in Virginia has dismissed allegations by five former Gannett journalists, who claimed that the media company’s diversity policy led to their terminations or other adverse actions because they are White. The court ruled that the diversity policy alone did not establish disparate treatment and that the journalists failed to plausibly show that their race was the reason for losing a legally protected right. The journalists had sued under Section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act of 1866, which prohibits race discrimination in contracts. Although they...

The employment landscape has seen significant changes in recent years, including a U.S. Supreme Court decision last year that ruled race-conscious college admission policies unconstitutional. At the Society for Human Resource Management’s annual conference in Chicago on June 24, attorneys Victoria Lipnic, Jonathan Segal, and Rae Vann discussed the implications of this ruling for employers. Lipnic, a partner at Resolution Economics and former acting chair of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, emphasized the rapid pace of diversity, noting that about 4 out of 10 Americans now identify as non-White...

Using inclusive language in employee communications is crucial for reinforcing an organization's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Here are key insights and recommendations based on the guidance from McLean & Co. and other sources:   Definition of Inclusive Language: Inclusive language involves avoiding expressions that stereotype, stigmatize, trivialize, or exclude individuals based on identity traits such as race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, class, or age. Instead, it focuses on using intentional words that honor identities and experiences, fostering respectful and welcoming interactions.   Principles for Incorporating Inclusive Language: -...

The class-action lawsuit filed against General Mills by current and former employees at its Covington, Georgia manufacturing facility alleges systemic racial discrimination and a hostile work environment created by a group known as the “Good Ole Boys” leadership. Here are the key points from the allegations and General Mills' response:   Allegations of Discrimination: The lawsuit claims that Black employees at the General Mills facility were subjected to disparate treatment compared to their White colleagues. They allege incidents of racial harassment, including being passed over for promotions, selectively accused of...

Here's a summary of the lawsuit filed by Randy Gregory against the National Football League (NFL) and the Denver Broncos regarding disability discrimination: Lawsuit Details: Randy Gregory, a linebacker, filed a lawsuit in Colorado’s Arapahoe County District Court alleging that the NFL and the Denver Broncos discriminated against him. The discrimination allegedly occurred when they refused to allow him to use dronabinol, a physician-prescribed synthetic form of THC, for disabilities including social anxiety disorder, PTSD, and chronic pain. Accommodation Request: Gregory claimed he was prescribed dronabinol and requested an...

The latest report from 50/50 Women on Boards indicates a slowing momentum in gender diversity on U.S. corporate boards in 2024:   Current Representation: Women held 29.7% of board seats in the first quarter of 2024, marking a modest increase of 0.3% from the previous quarter and 0.8% from the previous year. Among 587 new board positions, 30.7% were filled by women, the lowest percentage since 2017.   Women of Color Representation: Women of color held approximately 8% of board seats, showing a slight increase. However, this remains significantly below parity.   ...

The perception of allyship and support for LGBTQ+ workers in the workplace is showing positive trends, according to a recent report from Randstad. The report indicates that 60% of LGBTQ+ employees feel robust support from their colleagues, and 54% are comfortable being open about their identity at work. Despite this progress, challenges persist, with 51% of LGBTQ+ workers reporting experiencing discrimination or prejudice based on their identity, leading 41% to leave jobs where they felt unwelcome. Floss Aggrey, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer at Randstad North America, highlighted that while...

Deere & Co., commonly known as John Deere, has agreed to pay $1.1 million to settle allegations of racial discrimination against Black and Hispanic applicants at three of its production facilities in Illinois and Iowa. The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs conducted routine evaluations in 2021 and 2022, revealing hiring disparities at Deere's Milan, Illinois, and Ankeny and Waterloo, Iowa, facilities. The settlement requires Deere to pay back wages and interest to 277 affected individuals who applied for warehouse, assembly, and production positions. This agreement...

Tennessee, along with 17 other states, has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) over its new harassment guidance. The states claim that this guidance unlawfully expands Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. They argue that the EEOC's reliance on the Supreme Court’s Bostock v. Clayton County decision is misplaced, stating that the decision's "narrow holding" cannot be broadly applied to all transgender-related employment issues, such as pronoun use and bathroom access. According to the plaintiffs, the EEOC is essentially trying to...