Tuesday, January 7, 2025

The 1st nominee for The Worst Employer of 2025 is … The Menstrual Marauder


"We can't hire you. You'll be absent too much due to your monthly cycle." That's the text a job applicant received from a hiring manager at a gym owned by Equinox Holdings after she requested to reschedule a second-round interview for a front desk job.

The applicant, who suffers from endometriosis, asked to delay the interview by a few days because of severe menstrual pain. Instead of accommodating her request, the gym declined to interview her further and hired a male applicant with no prior experience—despite her years of relevant experience working in similar roles at other gyms.

Monday, January 6, 2025

Costco's masterclass on responding to DEI backlash


It's not easy to stand firm in today's polarized world, but Costco just showed everyone how it's done.

Recently, Costco's board rejected a shareholder proposal aimed at rolling back its DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) initiatives. Instead, the company doubled down on its commitment to making its workplaces inclusive and equitable.

In a statement, the retail giant wrote: "Our Board has considered this proposal and believes that our commitment to an enterprise rooted in respect and inclusion is appropriate and necessary. Our success has been built on service to our critical stakeholders: employees, members and suppliers. Our efforts around diversity, equity and inclusion follow our code of ethics."

Predictably, the backlash came fast, with calls for a boycott from some corners. Unlike many other companies, however, Costco didn't buckle under the pressure of a right-wing boycott. Instead, it stood its ground for what it believes in.

Friday, December 20, 2024

’Twas the Employment Law Night Before Christmas (2024 edition)


In what has become an annual tradition for my final post of the year, I bring you the holiday classic, 'Twas the Employment Law Night Before Christmas … tweaked for 2024.

To all of my readers, connections, and followers, new and legacy, thank you all for reading, commenting, and sharing throughout the year. Please have a happy and, most importantly, healthy and safe holiday season. I'll see everyone in 2025 with new content to kick off the new year, including a fresh batch of Worst Employer nominees.

* * *

Thursday, December 19, 2024

The Worst Employer of 2024 is…


The votes have been counted. The WINNER of The Worst Employer of 2024 is...

Tuesday, December 17, 2024

6th Circuit teaches employers an important FMLA lesson on caregiving and in loco parentis


Imagine being told by your employer that you have to choose between your terminally ill sister and you job. That's what happened to Celestia Chapman, a finance manager at Midwestern Auto Group.

Chapman requested time off under the FMLA care for her sister, who was dying of cancer and unable to care for her own basic needs, including feeding, hygiene, and taking medications. MAG told her that the FMLA did not provide leave to care for an adult sibling. When Chapman ran out of PTO and stopped coming to work, MAG fired her.

Monday, December 16, 2024

"RFK Jr.'s job application: part psych eval and all wrong


"I don't have that much interest in having a sexual experience with another person."

"I believe in things many others don't—like having a 'sixth sense,' clairvoyance, and telepathy.

"As an adolescent, I had bizarre fantasies or preoccupations."

Those are among the odd and inappropriate questions that applicants seeking to work for RFK Jr.'s Department of Health and Human Services must answer as part of the application process. They also appear to be taken from the criteria for a schizotypal personality disorder and narcissistic personality disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition.

They are also a big legal no-no.

Friday, December 13, 2024

WIRTW #741: the 'finals countdown' edition


On this week's episode of The Norah and Dad Show, Norah and I discuss the end of her first semester of college, including her finals, our upcoming family Christmas trip to London, and the importance of checking your tire pressure before heading out on a road trip.

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon Music, Overcast, the web, and anywhere else you get your podcasts.



Have you cast your ballot for The Worst Employer of 2024? Polls are open through Tuesday, December 17, at 11:59 p.m. Click here to vote.



Here's what I read this week that you should read, too.