That is SO last week

A couple of months ago, ride sharing app Lyft announced it had reached a settlement with drivers that would keep them classified as independent contractors, but pay them more than $12 million to settle their claims.  Last Thursday, the federal judge overseeing the case threw out the settlement, ruling that the proposed settlement did not “fall within the range of reasonableness” and  “shortchanged” both the drivers and the State of California.  While the decision affects only the monetary settlement and not the underlying classification, what happens next has employment lawyers on pins and needles.

Discrimination

• EEOC Commissioner Chai Feldblum told Buzzfeed that even though North Carolina may not protect transgender employees, federal law does.
• The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that obesity alone is not a disabling condition under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
• A new ride sharing app, Chariot for Women, launched with plans to only hire female drivers, sparking controversy over whether its business plan is lawful. 
• In his induction speech to the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame, Steve Miller criticized the institution for its failure to include women. 
• Fast Company covered an artist who has captured the portraits of minorities and women in the tech industry.

Technology

• The NFL announced plans to use virtual reality to help combat unconscious bias.
• Facebook is beginning to use artificial intelligence to help the visually impaired understand pictures on their newsfeeds. 
• Marketwatch covered the increasing number of wearables in the workplace and the legal concerns that accompany them.
• The FBI issued warnings over a new cyber attack that uses CEO emails to request finance employees to send wire transfers.  
• Blogging4Jobs updated its list of HR technology investments and acquisitions.
• A couple of Chinese restaurants are terminating their robot waiters.

In other developments:

• After San Francisco and New York state passed legislation requiring paid family leave, Forbes speculated where the legislation will pop up next. 
• A Ramsey County, Minnesota worker was arrested for leaking the personal information of welfare recipients.