Big decisions: Key employment rulings at a glance
Here is a summary of two major U.S. Supreme Court employment rulings regarding LBGTQ employees and the ministerial exception for religious employers from the October 2019 term.
Termination of Employment
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Sykes becomes chief judge of 7th Circuit
Diane Sykes, who has often been mentioned as a possible nominee for the U.S. Supreme Court, has become the chief judge of the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, assuming the leadership position July 5.
SCOTUS ruling isn’t ‘end of the road’ for fired Roncalli, Cathedral educators, attorney says
An attorney for two Indianapolis educators who were fired for their same-sex marriages doesn’t think a Wednesday U.S. Supreme Court employment discrimination ruling that favored two Catholic Schools will impact her clients’ pending cases.
Supreme Court sides with Catholic schools in employment suit
The Supreme Court of the United States is siding with two Catholic schools in a ruling that underscores that certain employees of religious schools, hospitals and social service centers can’t sue for employment discrimination. The high court’s ruling on Wednesday was 7-2.
SCOTUS rules president can fire Consumer board head at will
In a ruling underscoring the power of the president, the Supreme Court on Monday made it easier for the president to fire the head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The justices struck down restrictions Congress had written on when the president can remove the bureau’s director.
Roncalli, archdiocese lose bid to limit discovery in fired counselor’s discrimination suit
The Indianapolis Archdiocese and an affiliated high school have once again lost a bid to limit discovery in a fired employee’s same-sex discrimination lawsuit to the question of whether the plaintiff’s claims fall under the First Amendment’s “ministerial exception.”
Businesses ask patrons, workers to waive right to sue if they get ill
As businesses reopen across the U.S. after coronavirus shutdowns, many are requiring customers and workers to sign forms saying they won’t sue if they catch COVID-19.
Justices rule LGBT people protected from job discrimination
The Supreme Court of the United States ruled Monday that a landmark civil rights law protects gay, lesbian and transgender people from discrimination in employment, a resounding victory for LGBT rights from a conservative court.
Fired IDEM employee loses appeal in whistleblower dispute
A former environmental chemist who was fired from his longstanding position at the Indiana Department of Environmental Management could not convince a panel of the Indiana Court of Appeals that he was terminated for being a whistleblower.
SCOTUS appears divided in Catholic schools employment case
The US Supreme Court on Monday seemed divided over how broadly religious institutions including schools, hospitals and social service centers should be shielded from job discrimination lawsuits by employees.
SCOTUS begins second week of arguments with live audio
Ready for round 2? The United States Supreme Court is holding its second week of arguments by telephone because of the coronavirus pandemic, with audio available live to audiences around the world.
Court questions archdiocese’s authority to terminate gay teacher
Marion Superior Court has denied a motion filed by the Archdiocese of Indianapolis to dismiss a lawsuit brought by a gay former Cathedral High School teacher, finding the archdiocese may not be the “highest ecclesiastical authority.”
Valparaiso University lays off 200, cuts pay of others over virus
Valparaiso University has laid off 200 employees and has cut the salaries of others to save money during the coronavirus pandemic, the school announced. The northwestern Indiana institution previously announced that its law school will cease operations at the end of this semester after more than 140 years.
Justices rule for federal employee over age discrimination
Well, OK, boomer. The Supreme Court made it easier Monday for federal employees 40 and older to sue for age discrimination. The ruling set a lower bar for public sector workers compared with those in the private sector.
Justices clash but rule for fired employee in duty-to-testify case
Indiana Supreme Court justices split Tuesday a dispute involving an employee who was fired after testifying at an unemployment compensation hearing, with the majority reversing in his favor. A dissenting justice would have affirmed, arguing the man didn’t have a reasonable belief of a duty to cooperate with an unissued, non-existent subpoena.
Bankovich and Bowling: Indiana’s marijuana laws keep things simple for employers, for now
Notwithstanding the national trend of states repealing statutes that criminalized possession of marijuana, Indiana remains steadfast in its prohibition of marijuana. While opinions obviously vary a great deal as to the wisdom of that prohibition, this continuing prohibition does, for the time being, hold at bay some of the thornier issues that can arise for employers regarding employee use of marijuana.
Townsend: Can employers withhold, claw back bonuses, commissions?
Employers must know the type of payments that can legally be withheld or pulled back, recognize that payments may become so vested that they are beyond retrieval, and understand lawful techniques to withhold or recoup funds when warranted.
Sizable nondisability: 7th Circuit declines to find ADA violations in obese workers’ claims
Despite increasing obesity among Americans, employers have not seen a corresponding rise in workplace discrimination complaints. But attorneys suspect workers are opting not to sue because such cases may be difficult to prove.
Howard County sheriff fires six jail officers for misconduct
Six jail officers in Kokomo have been fired for misconduct dating back to early December, officials said.
Fired Cathedral teacher, archdiocese set to meet in court
After a settlement conference was unsuccessful, oral arguments have been rescheduled for Tuesday in the case involving the former teacher at Cathedral Catholic High School in Indianapolis who was fired for being in a same-sex marriage.