Indianapolis Employment Law Blog

Religious beliefs can put gay workers at risk

On behalf of Employment Law Office of John H. Haskin & Associates, LLC on Thursday, March 21, 2019.

Since the #MeToo movement gained steam, many workers have stepped up to accuse their employers of workplace discrimination. Several managers that got away with harassing employees for their genders, races, sexual orientations and disabilities for years were starting to see justice for their illegal actions.

However, the process of filing a claim against an employer for discrimination isn’t completely straightforward in some industries. Schools affiliated with specific religions are still having issues when it comes to hiring people that go against their particular beliefs. A recent case in Indiana highlights the ongoing struggles that these employers have with the LGBT community.

Subtle signs of pregnancy discrimination at work

On behalf of Employment Law Office of John H. Haskin & Associates, LLC posted in Workplace Discrimination on Tuesday, January 15, 2019.

Many women work hard to balance their careers with motherhood. With supportive resources like maternity leave and workplace friendships, pregnant women in the 21st century may have little reason to expect discrimination. Nonetheless, the problem persists in many companies, even those that openly talk about creating inclusive communities.

You may be one of many working women going through pregnancy, and if you're used to having a friendly work environment, the signs of pregnancy discrimination may be harder to spot. Whether you feel uncomfortable or are almost sure you are experiencing discrimination, consider whether any of the following instances has happened to you:

Is there a way to avoid discrimination due to age?

On behalf of Employment Law Office of John H. Haskin & Associates, LLC posted in Workplace Discrimination on Monday, September 25, 2017.

It can be very difficult to prove you have been discriminated against by a company in Indiana during the hiring process. This is especially true if you feel the discrimination was age-based. One of the loopholes when it comes to discrimination is that it can be difficult to prove. So, can you combat such discrimination and help increase your chances of landing a job?

According to Forbes, there is a trick you can try using that could help you overcome age discrimination. It involves focusing on what you can offer the company and providing a clear solution to a problem that company has. This will make you stand out and make it much harder for the hiring manager to pass you up.

Examples of workplace retaliation

On behalf of Employment Law Office of John H. Haskin & Associates, LLC posted in Wrongful Termination on Wednesday, September 13, 2017.

As someone who works in Indiana, you have certain rights, and one of them involves your right to “blow the whistle” if your employer is engaging in illegal or unethical acts. Your employer may not retaliate against you for your decision to call attention to the wrongdoing, meaning he or she cannot treat you unfairly or differently than others in your place of business to “punish” you for speaking out. At the Employment Law Office of John H. Haskin & Associates, LLC, we have a strong understanding of what types of behaviors constitute workplace retaliation, and we have helped many victims of it seek recourse.

Retaliation in the workplace, per the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, can manifest in many ways, and it does not always look the same. In some instances, it might be overt, such as you getting fired or demoted shortly after you make the decision to blow the whistle on your employer. Your employer may also transfer you to a less-desirable position than you previously held, or intentionally make your work more difficult for you by changing your hours, giving you less-desirable shifts and so on.

What does reasonable accommodation mean?

On behalf of Employment Law Office of John H. Haskin & Associates, LLC posted in blog on Monday, September 11, 2017.

Federal and state law entitles disabled employees to protection from employment discrimination. Discrimination can come in various forms, including refusal to hire or promote, harassment and unequal pay.

Disabled workers may also face discrimination in the form of refusing to make reasonable accommodations, as mandated by the Americans With Disabilities Act.

When is an employment contract necessary?

On behalf of Employment Law Office of John H. Haskin & Associates, LLC posted in Employment Contracts on Wednesday, August 30, 2017.

When getting a new job in Indiana, you may be asked to sign an employment contract. However, this is not always common practice. Many industries do not routinely use contracts for employment, but there are some specific jobs or situations where an employment contract is necessary.

According to The Balance, an employment contract is usually used for high-level management positions or when hiring a professional. These situations typically call for using some type of binding agreement because such employees may be more difficult to replace than your typical employee if they were to quit. These documents will usually say you cannot quit for a specific amount of time and often have penalties if you do.

What constitutes religious harassment?

On behalf of Employment Law Office of John H. Haskin & Associates, LLC posted in Harassment on Monday, August 14, 2017.

Harassment in the workplace is something you have the right to be protected against. You should never be made to feel uncomfortable because of your religious affiliation when at work in Indiana. According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, religious harassment is when someone causes your work environment to be difficult because of his or her issues with your religious choices. It is a complex situation because harassment is more than just a single incident.

The basis of proving harassment is that it must be an ongoing activity. It cannot be a one-time issue. For example, if someone makes a negative comment about your religion only one time and never again brings it up, then it is not classified as harassment. This classification requires a hostile workplace where you are repeatedly being pursued by others. It can also include effects on your work status, such as you being fired due to your religion or due to other employees not being comfortable with your religion.

What qualifies as wrongful termination?

On behalf of Employment Law Office of John H. Haskin & Associates, LLC posted in Wrongful Termination on Tuesday, August 1, 2017.

If you have been fired from your job, you may wonder if the situation falls under the umbrella of wrongful termination. In most cases, the answer will be no. This is because Indiana is an employment-at-will state. You or your employer can end employment for any reason at any time. At John H. Haskin & Associates, LLC, we want you to understand your employment rights and know when something is not lawful and could be wrongful termination.

While in most cases, your employer has every right to fire you for any reason, there are some exceptions. You cannot be fired for not doing something that violates the law. In addition, you cannot be fired for exercising your right to workers' compensation. Basically, anything that is a retaliation against something you have legally done might fall under wrongful termination.

How should an employer respond to discrimination?

On behalf of Employment Law Office of John H. Haskin & Associates, LLC posted in Workplace Discrimination on Monday, July 17, 2017.

Discrimination in the workplace should never be tolerated. There are many laws in place to help Indiana employers, but even if you do follow the law, you may still be vulnerable to discrimination claims. This is why you should take extra steps to create a welcoming and friendly workplace environment.

According to Monster, there are some specific ideas you can implement in your business to help prevent discrimination from occurring. These range from creating an environment where discrimination cannot happen to encouraging diversity among your employees. One specific idea is to create policies that encourage diversity in work groups. Reward those who show initiative in creating diversity and who work well with others who are different from them.

Understanding the dangers of workplace romance

On behalf of Employment Law Office of John H. Haskin & Associates, LLC posted in blog on Tuesday, July 11, 2017.

Everybody wants to find a suitable mate, and when you spend 40 hours a week at the office, your eye might naturally turn to your colleagues for romantic prospects. While this is an understandable impulse, anybody who has been on the receiving end of such attention knows that it is often uncomfortable at best. According to Fast Company, such dalliances might boost productivity, but they are rarely as harmless as you might imagine.

The following are some of the most common reasons why dating in the workplace can be a disastrous endeavor. When things go wrong, it is likely to negatively impact both parties, so it is best to keep things strictly professional when you are at work.