When you experience workplace discrimination, you may wonder what options you have for justice. One option is to file a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). In 2018, the EEOC received over 200,000 field office queries and resolved 90,558 charges of discrimination. These numbers may make you think, What are the chances of winning an EEOC case? Is...
Continue ReadingOn July 29, 2021, the Biden administration announced all federal workers—including service members of the United States military—will be required to show proof of being vaccinated against COVID-19 or otherwise submit to regular testing and wear a mask, as the delta variant has recently caused a significant rise in cases, hospitalizations, and deaths – especially among the unvaccinated. Additionally, the White House required all employees to...
Continue ReadingOn May 28, 2021, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued new guidance on its COVID-19 policy, stating that federal laws do not prevent employers from requiring workers to get vaccinated. However, when it comes to employees who aren’t vaccinated due to a disability or religious beliefs, employers must provide reasonable accommodation, such as offering face masks, ensuring they work at a social distance,...
Continue ReadingFederal workers with disabilities can request a reasonable accommodation to make adjustments to their role or work environment. An employer can make changes to the application, hiring process, job duties, or even the work environment to make a job suitable for a disabled worker. Accommodations are considered reasonable if they don’t create an undue hardship. If you are a...
Continue ReadingAs more and more COVID-19 vaccinations become available, employers are eager to get back to normal and mandate vaccines. However, there are a number of Americans who are hesitant to take the vaccine–especially employees with disabilities. Employers have strict laws they must follow regarding COVID-19 vaccinations. Our federal employment law attorney breaks it down for you below. EEOC Updates...
Continue ReadingUnder both the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, disabled employees may request a reasonable accommodation to ensure they perform their work duties and enjoy equal employment opportunities. While the ADAAA applies to all workplaces, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 specifically protects federal government workers. However, an employer does not have to accommodate a disabled employee if the reasonable accommodation would impose an “undue...
Continue ReadingWashington D.C. and 15 other states have legalized the use, purchase, and sale of recreational marijuana. However, the federal government still considers cannabis as an illegal substance, which means federal employees are still subject to drug testing. According to a December 2020 memo by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) issued after the presidential election, the drug testing panel under the federal Drug-Free...
Continue ReadingOver the past decade, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has reported that discrimination and retaliation are the most common issues federal employees face. Federal laws prohibit discrimination based on race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, genetic information, and disability. If you believe your employer has discriminated against you because of your disability and want to file...
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