The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a federal employment law that provides eligible employees with up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for certain family and medical reasons. The federal FMLA only covers employees who have worked at least 12 months...
Washington, DC Employment Law Blog
Understanding genetic discrimination under the GINA law
Genetic discrimination in the workplace can be a serious concern. Employees facing such challenges should be aware of their rights and the steps to address the issue. Title II of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) prevents employers from...
Does racial discrimination and harassment exist at your workplace?
Of all the different forms of discrimination and harassment that can happen in the workplace, among the most sensitive and contentious are those situations involving one’s race. These can take place in many different ways and can range from subtle and passively...
3 key elements of a strong discrimination case
Workplace discrimination can be a distressing experience for employees. Fortunately, the law provides a framework to address workplace discrimination. If you find yourself facing discrimination at work, it is important to know the key elements necessary to assert your...
Can employers monitor employees’ off-duty activities?
In today's interconnected world, where personal and professional boundaries often blur, employees may find themselves contemplating their employer's monitoring of employees' off-duty conduct. While maintaining a productive work environment is a legitimate concern for...
How does workplace harassment affect employees?
The workplace should be a space where individuals can thrive, collaborate and contribute to a shared goal. However, when harassment enters the workplace environment, it can have profound and lasting effects on the individuals involved. Harassment can be caused by...
Identifying ageism in the workplace
Discrimination based on age is a real issue in the workplace. Ageism affects individuals across all stages of their careers and can occur in often subtle ways. Because ageism is not always obvious, employees should understand the different types of age discrimination...
Can remote work be a reasonable accommodation for a disability?
Individuals with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to allow them to perform their job duties. Working from home has become a more common accommodation for certain employees. In particular, technology has evolved to support many different types of...
Can your employer deny an FMLA leave request?
There are times in life when it is necessary for you to step away from your job in order to address personal needs. Perhaps you have a medical condition that requires extensive treatment and a lengthy recovery time. You may need to care for a new baby or adjust after...
What makes an accommodation reasonable under the ADA?
In 2023, the U.S. Department of Labor said employers often use reasonable accommodations for a disability to keep good employees, and 68.4% of those who did found them to work well. To include everyone, it is important to understand the things that can help people...