Legal Focus

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended prohibits employment discrimination and retaliation by employers against employees who file claims. Recently, retaliation claims have surpassed all other types of claims made by employees to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). While the EEOC guidance manual has not permitted employers to avoid claims of retaliation by the employer’s showing that there were other legitimate reasons for adverse action against an employee, the Un...

Do you know all the essential information about the students on your bus? Do the school districts you serve share IEP information about individual students? Do you know the dangers of transporting students without knowing the details of their special needs? In 2006, a substitute driver was instructed by the school district to have all students jump from the back of the bus in a mandatory bus evacuation drill. A twelve year old, who suffers from medical conditions making him more susceptible to ...

Many businesses have started Facebook and LinkedIn pages as part of their marketing campaigns and a recent 2013 CareerBuilder.com survey reports that 39% of employers search social networking sites to screen job applicants. Whether on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, or personal blogs, social networking on the internet is a quickly evolving business risk. The attached article outlines the risks of using social networks and how to protect you and your business.

The Pennsylvania Vehicle Code (Title 75) outlines vehicle and driver responsibilities on the road. Section 75 Pa.C.S. § 3345 (a) states that “…the driver of a vehicle meeting or overtaking any school bus stopped on a highway or trafficway shall stop at least ten feet before reaching the school bus when the red signal lights on the school bus are flashing and the side stop signal arm is activated. In 2011 The National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation (NASDPTS) launched a ...

Staffing up for the start of a new school year has generated a number of inquiries about the Americans with Disabilities Act and related state laws. Following is a brief summary that provides general guidance. Each situation is unique but every situation requires proper handling and, most importantly, documentation.

Under Title VII, an employer can be strictly liable for workplace harassment if the victim’s harasser is a supervisor; but what is the difference between an employee and a supervisor? Below you will find information about Title VII, the recent case of Vance v. Ball State University 646 F.3d 461 (2013), and how you as a contractor can protect your staff and your business through education.

In 2011, changes to 24 P.S. § 1-111 (Act 24) were passed tightening the state’s qualifications for certain employees working with or around children by expanding the list of disqualifying offenses and by making those convictions a lifetime ban as opposed to a short term (five year) restriction. Since that time the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania has issued several opinions holding that the modified statute was “unconstitutional as applied” in several cases but has not held that the words o...