No one should be told to "suck it up" after requesting FMLA leave

If this was August 2017, I would be touting today's post as a strong contender for the "Worst Employer of the Year." It says a lot, however, about the quality (moral suckitude?) of this year's nominees that today's post can't even scratch 2018's list of nominees.

Juicing the reasonable accommodation low-hanging fruit

Would you rather spend seven figures to lose a lawsuit, or $1.69 to allow a diabetic employee to drink a bottle of orange juice?

The answer should be pretty clear.

Or maybe not?

Despite what one court held, workplace discrimination laws DO protect employees from non-employees

Pop quiz: Can an employer ignore harassment or other discriminatory behavior directed at employees by non-employees?

If your answer is "yes," you'd be in agreement with the court in Shaw v. Access Ohio (Ohio Ct. App. 7/27/18).

You'd also be dead wrong.

On religious liberty vs. workplace discrimination laws

Last week, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the creation of a "Religious Liberty Task Force" It will enforce a 2017 DOJ memo that ordered federal agencies to take the broadest possible interpretation of "religious liberty" when enforcing federal laws, including Title VII and other anti-discrimination laws.

According to Mr. Sessions, the task force as a necessary to "confront and defeat" secularism, "a dangerous movement, undetected by many, is now challenging and eroding our great tradition of religious freedom."

WIRTW #517 (the “interrupter” edition)

Every now and again I like to bring y'all some new music to discover for your Friday. It might not be new, and it might not be new to me, but it might be new to you. And I hope it's something you appreciate and will enjoy.

Today, I bring you The Interrupters.

They might be on the forefront of a ska, pop-punk revival. Comprised of three brothers, Kevin, Jesse, and Justin Bivona, and lead singer Aimee Interrupter, they have a bona fide hit on their hands, "She’s Kerosene," the lead single off their 2018 release, Fight the Good Fight. It's the first ska song to gain any radio play since No Doubt, and currently sits at number 28 on Billboard's Alternative Songs Chart (and climbing). And it's damn catchy.

Here they are performing their hit on Jimmy Kimmel Live last week:


Not only are their songs catchy, but the messages are positive, and the music is just plain fun. And god knows we need more positivity and fun these days.

To top it all off, they are nice people, fan friendly, and deserve all of the success they are achieving.

A soul-warming night of punk rock for this dad and his 11-year-old punk rocker. Thanks @interrupstagram @aimeeinterrupter @jessebivona @justinbivona @kevinsweatshop @theregrettesband @lydianight @genessa.jpg @mmaxxm @sagenicole @swmrs

A post shared by Jon Hyman (@jonhyman) on Dec 14, 2017 at 4:01am PST

So head over to your streaming service of choice and check out The Interrupters. I don't think you'll be disappointed. Or, better yet, go to wearetheinterrupters.com, buy some vinyl, and support some really good people making really good music.

Here's what I read this week:

The 14th nominee for the “worst employer of 2018” is … the HR pimp

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) — the federal agency charged with responding to natural disasters — appears to have a disaster of its own to respond to.

It appears that its former HR chief offered creative "bonuses" to his male employees — he's accused of hiring women to be possible sexual partners to men working for the agency.

The worst employer of 1969

1969. Woodstock. Abbey Road. The Moon Landing.

And pregnancy discrimination.