Social Media, Hostile Environment

Caveat Employer: An Employee’s Off-Duty Social Media Posts Can Constitute Workplace Harassment

Mintz - Employment Viewpoints on 9/17/2024

As the workplace continues to take a new shape, the distinction between “workplace conduct” and “off duty” conduct continues to fade for many. After a recent Ninth Circuit ruling, employers must be more vigilant than ever in...more

Employment Litigation Roundup: August 2024

Seward & Kissel LLP on 9/4/2024

In a win for employers, the Connecticut Supreme Court defines “supervisor” narrowly for purposes of vicarious employer liability under Connecticut Fair Employment Practices Act - Under Connecticut’s civil rights law, an...more

Ninth Circuit Rules That Social Media Posts Can Constitute Workplace Harassment

Saul Ewing LLP on 8/22/2024

On July 25, 2024, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit rejected the notion that harassing conduct must occur inside the workplace to be considered actionable. The court also affirmed the notion that “the totality...more

#NoFilter: Outside-of-Work Social Media Posts Can Create a Hostile Work Environment

Cozen O'Connor on 8/16/2024

Prior to the advent of social media, employers were generally comfortable drawing a bright line between what employees did on their own time and workplace misconduct. Those bygone times, however, have been replaced by a...more

Five lessons plus four in social media and workplace harassment

Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete, LLP on 8/15/2024

The following may be a true story. The events depicted allegedly took place in Lompoc, California, in 2020. Out of deference to the judges involved, their names have not been used. Out of respect for the victim, her story...more

Employment Law Update: Ninth Circuit Ruling Reminds Employers They May be Held Liable for Social Media Harassment

Whiteford on 8/13/2024

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit recently ruled, in Okonowsky v. Garland, No. 23-55404, that an employer may be held liable for a Title VII hostile work environment claim based on harassing content posted on an...more

Posting About Another Employee on Social Media Could Be Unlawful Harassment

Kelley Drye & Warren LLP on 8/12/2024

Social media has truly changed our world, both in and outside of the workplace. It has evolved into a daily habit for many of us; the way we get news about the world and our friends, the way we shop, gossip, and much more. It...more

The Social Web’s Influence on Your Workplace and the Potential Havoc It Can Cause

Chartwell Law on 8/12/2024

Employers have a duty to ensure that their workplaces are not hostile, both in the physical and virtual worlds. This responsibility extends to both actual and constructive knowledge of potential issues....more

Social Media Creating a Hostile Work Environment: What To Know Following Okonowsky v. Garland

ArentFox Schiff on 8/6/2024

It is not news that employees “hang out” and socialize “outside of work” through social media platforms. While these platforms provide outlets for employees to express themselves, bond, chat, joke, and share vacation photos,...more

The Ninth Circuit Reminds Employers of Obligations When Addressing Social Media Posts Affecting Workplace

Farella Braun + Martel LLP on 8/5/2024

A recent Ninth Circuit decision clarifies employers’ obligations to address hostile work environment complaints arising out of employees' off-premises social media activity. In Okonowsky v. Garland (No. 23-55404; Jul. 25,...more

When Social Media Posts Become Workplace Harassment

Holland & Knight LLP on 8/1/2024

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit on July 25, 2024, ruled that under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, companies can be held liable for claims of a hostile work environment if an employee shares...more

EEOC Issues Proposed Harassment Guidance Broadening Employers’ Obligations Under Federal EEO Law

Burr & Forman on 10/5/2023

On October 2, 2023, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) published in the Federal Register its notice of proposed guidance on "Enforcement Guidance of Harassment in the Workplace." The guidance...more

Workplace Violence: What Hospital Executives and Administrators Need to Know

Rumberger | Kirk on 1/10/2020

In today’s world, hospitals have to be prepared for anything and everything, and not just medical emergencies. They have to be prepared to handle all types of workplace violence, from active shooters to abuse from...more

Comments on Social Media about an Employee’s National Origin Could Lead to Allegations of Discrimination

Troutman Pepper on 10/14/2019

Q: Over the summer, I saw that President Trump tweeted that four minority Democrat congresswomen should “go back” to where they came from. What Human Resources lessons can be learned from the President’s tweet?...more

Your Daily Dose of Financial News

Robins Kaplan LLP on 9/11/2018

Markets are joining the American mid-Atlantic and East Coast in bracing for Hurricane Florence and the estimated $27 billion in damages it could bring with it....more

EEOC Sues United Airlines for Sexual Harassment

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission... on 8/10/2018

Pilot Repeatedly Posted Sexually Explicit Photos of Flight Attendant On the Internet, Federal Agency Charges - SAN ANTONIO, Texas - United Airlines, Inc., an international airline operating in over 300 airports across five...more

A Sexual Harassment Sea Change for Employers?

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP on 1/15/2018

Social media supercharges the potential for sexual harassment allegations involving work colleagues and could lead to consequences for employers who fail to act quickly and appropriately. Recent events herald a change in...more

Dear Littler: Is an Employee's #MeToo Social Media Post a Harassment Complaint?

Littler on 11/7/2017

Dear Littler: I work in HR and have a very modern-day dilemma. An employee (Lauren) told me about a social media post by another employee (Jane). I don’t follow Jane on social media, but a few days ago she posted this...more

A Contentious Presidential Election, #BlackLivesMatter and Bathroom Laws: Addressing Polarizing Current Events in the Workplace

Spilman Thomas & Battle, PLLC on 10/19/2016

It is practically impossible these days to turn on the news, get on the internet or listen to the radio without hearing about some polarizing event. Whether it is a debate over the presidential candidates, the...more

Social Media › Hostile Environment