Oklahoma Supreme Court: You Can’t Lose Workers’ Compensation Benefits for Missing a Doctor’s Appointment
Workers’ compensation is a special category of personal injury claim in Oklahoma. Typically, an injured plaintiff must prove the defendant was negligent in order to receive damages. But with workers’ compensation, an employer is expected to provide benefits upon receiving notice of a covered employee’s job-related injury, without regard to fault. Justices Throw Out 2014 […]
EEOC Accuses Oklahoma Oil & Gas Company of Screening Applicants by Age, Workers’ Compensation Status
Oklahoma employers are supposed to make hiring decisions based on merit, not preconceived notions of an applicant’s fitness based on age or disability. Indeed, federal and state laws prohibit such employment discrimination. Unfortunately, many employers throughout the state try to find clever ways to work around the law, only to find themselves in the cross-hairs […]
How Long Do I Have to File an Employment Discrimination Claim?
Employment discrimination is usually not a one-time affair. Many Oklahoma employees are subject to a pervasive, hostile work environment that lasts for months or even years. Federal and state laws provide remedies for employees who are victims of such discrimination, but it is critical to take prompt action because there are certain statutory deadlines that […]
What Happens When Oklahoma Auto Insurers Deal in Bad Faith?
Dealing with insurance companies is often a major hassle following a car accident. While insurance companies have every right to conduct due diligence before paying out a claim, the Oklahoma Supreme Court has said there is an “an implied duty to of the insurer to act in good faith and deal fairly with its insured.” […]
Was It Retaliation?
Retaliation is an act made against an employee as an effort to punish him or her for exercising one or more of his or her rights. Specifically, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 lists a set of activities designated as “protected activities.” An employer cannot retaliate against an employee in any way […]
What are my Rights While I am On Maternity Leave?
The Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 amended Title VII of the Civil Rights Act to include pregnancy as a protected class. With this law, it became illegal to terminate an employee for being pregnant. It also becomes illegal for employers to discriminate against pregnant women, parents, and prospective parents in any way, such as asking […]
How Does Age Discrimination Hurt Older Workers?
Age discrimination is legally defined as any form of workplace discrimination against an individual age 40 or over. Age was added to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967. Like other forms of discrimination, age discrimination can cause a victim to suffer steep financial […]
Recognizing Illegal Interview Questions
During an interview, you should expect to be asked about your industry experience and the qualities that make you a strong candidate for the role. You should not expect to be asked questions about your personal life, your past, or your personal views. These questions can be used to discriminate against a candidate unfairly, which […]
Why Would an Employee Seek Reasonable Accommodations?
American employees have the right to seek reasonable accommodations for a variety of reasons. Reasonable accommodations are exactly what they sound like – accommodations to the worker’s schedule, workspace, or job duties that make it possible for him or her to perform the job despite his or her disability, personal needs, or religious convictions. The […]
What are my Rights Regarding Joining a Union?
The National Labor Relations Act of 1935 is a landmark American law that protects private sector individuals’ right to organize and join labor unions for the purpose of collective bargaining. Largely, unions are beneficial to American workers because they are often responsible for advances in workplace safety and wage fairness. Labor unions can be a […]