In Bivens v. ZEP, Inc., the Sixth Circuit held that an employer is not liable under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended (Title VII), for harassment by a customer unless the employer intended the harassment to happen or was substantially certain it would. This holding represents a clear break from the EEOC and most other …
$27M Verdict Warns Employers: Vet and Train Employees or Pay the Price
A recent $27 million jury verdict should put every employer, especially those in the hospitality, retail, and entertainment industries, on high alert: failing to properly screen and train employees can result in significant liability. On July 26, 2024, a Franklin County, Ohio jury awarded $27 million to the estate of Gregory Coleman Jr., who was …
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Are Employee Driver’s License Requirements in the Rearview Mirror? What Washington’s New Law Says
Heads up, employers—a new law went into effect in Washington State this week (effective as of July 27, 2025) limiting when an employer can require job applicants and employees to have a valid driver’s license. A recent update to the Washington Equal Pay and Opportunities Act now prohibits employers from requiring employees to have a …