October 2009

Personal emails at work are sometimes protected from intrusion and sometimes not.  The email system belongs to the employer.  One indicator that work generated emails may be protected occurs when the employer allows some personal use of email.  See the case discussed at one blog post.  But, see another case discussed at a different…

 According to a recent study, Spanish speaking plaintiffs received lower awards in civil cases.  Spanish speaking plaintiffs needing translators received lower awards.  Interest was initially sparked when a Dallas, Texas plaintiff lawyer noticed that his clients needing translators seemed to obtain lower verdicts from the jury.  This study apparently supports his initial suspicion. 

 Many employers completely prohibit relationships between management and subordinates.  The military has some complicated rules regulating relationships and it too prohibits relationships between those with very different ranks.  But, studies show, nevertheless, that relationships continue in the workplace.  The workplace remains a prime source of marriage partners.  But, the problems developing in the wake of…

 In a recent study conducted by two Univ. of Phoenix professors, it was found that many workers reported an increase in overbearing supervisors during these lean, recessionary times.  These employees reported that when they would question their employer about the company’s prospects, they were essentially told to suck it up and quit complaining.  So r…

 Are pantsuits still verbotten as professional wear?  Recently, the new US Solicitor General (ie, the person who actually argues cases to the US Supreme Court on behalf of the federal government) appeared before the US Supreme Court wearing a pantsuit.  One might shrug and think no big deal.  But her choice became the topic of…