When it comes to accommodating clients’ needs, whether your website is accessible to those with vision, hearing, or cognitive disabilities is not often a concern that readily comes to mind. However, lawsuits regarding web accessibility under the Americans with Disabilities
Continue Reading
South Carolina Pregnancy Accommodations Act
The South Carolina Pregnancy Accommodations Act, found here, was signed into law on Friday, May 18, 2018. The Act amends the South Carolina Human Affairs Law. In passing the legislation, the General Assembly stated,
It is the intent of the General Assembly by this act to combat pregnancy discrimination, promote public health, and ensure full and equal participation for women in the labor force by requiring employers to provide reasonable accommodations to employees for medical needs arising from pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. Current workplace laws are inadequate to protect pregnant women from being forced out or fired when they need a simple, reasonable accommodation in order to stay on the job. Many pregnant women are single mothers or the primary breadwinners for their families; if they lose their jobs then the whole family will suffer. This is not an outcome that families can afford in today’s difficult economy.
Continue Reading
Court’s Ruling Requiring The EEOC To Reconsider Its “Wellness” Regulations Is Not Necessarily A Good Thing For Employers
The ruling in the AARP v. EEOC case may be detrimental to employers and their healthcare plans because the EEOC may either reduce the percentage of its allowable inducement (or penalty) below 30% of the employee cost for participation in
Continue Reading
Florida Court Rules Grocery Store Website is Subject to the ADA
Recently, the District Court for the Southern District of Florida held in Gil v. Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc., that Winn Dixie’s website violated Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”), and awarded the plaintiff attorneys fees and injunctive
Continue Reading
Now What?: ADA’s Website Accessibility Guidelines May Take Longer than Anticipated
Recently, the SC Employers’ Blog alerted you to a rising trend where serial claimants send demand letters to various private companies alleging the company’s website discriminates against individuals who are blind or visually impaired. That blog discussed a proposed Department
Continue Reading
Is Your Website ADA Compliant?
Websites and mobile apps (collectively “website(s)”) are a common tool used by businesses of all varieties and sizes to reach current and potential customers. They have revolutionized the manner in which businesses advertise and service customers. While websites may be
Continue Reading
Final Rules on Employer Wellness Programs
The EEOC issued its Final Rules on how the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) apply to wellness programs employers offer that request health information from employees and their spouses.[1] The main issue
Continue Reading
News from the EEOC
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has been busy this spring, issuing guidance left and right! On May 9th, it issued guidance to employers about leave as an ADA accommodation. On May 16th, it issued its
Continue Reading
Alcoholism & the ADA: Can Southern Cal’s Former Football Coach Really Sue For Wrongful Termination?
Rarely does my interest in sports intersect with my work as an employment lawyer. That changed a few weeks ago with the news that former University of Southern California (“USC”) head football coach Steve Sarkisian has sued the school for
Continue Reading
Does Out of Office Really Work?
The EEOC and, subsequently, the Court, supplanted its judgment for an employer’s as to whether physical presence at the office was an essential function of a reseller’s job, determining that a reseller should be permitted to telecommute several days a
Continue Reading