June 27, 2006

On June 22, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision expanding the protection to employees who allege they have suffered retaliation after making a complaint of discrimination or harassment under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.  Employees who make retaliation claims under Title VII no longer must prove they suffered an "ultimate employment decision" or "materially adverse change in the terms and conditions of employment," such as a discharge, demotion, or loss of pay, in order to state a claim.  Rather, the Supreme Court adopted a broader standard, holding Title VII prohibits more subtle forms of retaliation, which can even include, depending on the factual circumstances, a change in schedule or even the failure to invite an employee to lunch.

In this age of employee vs. employer litigation, an employee handbook is a tool you can use as a businessowner to improve communication with your employees.

Almost every employment decision or action effecting employees involves some form of discrimination in the sense that the employer is distinguishing between employees and treating them differently based on some criteria.  Whether the discrimination is legal or illegal depends on what the criteria is that the employer uses. 

By Gary Gentile
December 27, 2006

MySpace devotee Kary Rogers was expecting to see a gut-busting video when a friend from the popular online hangout messaged him a link.

First, though, he was directed to a page where he was supposed to re-enter his password. Rogers realized that someone was trying to steal his information, and he didn't take the bait. At best, he would be spammed with junk e-mails; worse, the Web thief might steal his real-life identity.

December 28, 2006

Beginning Monday, Jan. 1, Illinois consumers will have access to a new tool to stop identity thieves from opening new credit in their names.

The new law will allow all Illinois residents to place a "security freeze" on their credit reports. A security freeze prohibits the credit bureaus from releasing a credit report without the consumer's permission, making it much harder for imposters to obtain a credit card or open a credit line in the consumer's name.