Questions from Business Law

Q: Despite its detailed dress code for employees, Starbucks stores permitted workers

Despite its detailed dress code for employees, Starbucks stores permitted workers to wear multiple pins and buttons, some of which, but not all, were related to its employee-reward and product-promot...

Q: In the 2008 recession, Roger lost his job as a comptroller

In the 2008 recession, Roger lost his job as a comptroller. Desperate for work after a year of unemployment, he began to apply for any accounting job at any company. But no one would hire him because...

Q: FedEx refused to promote José Rodriguez to a supervisor’s position because of

FedEx refused to promote José Rodriguez to a supervisor’s position because of his accent and “how he speaks.” Is FedEx in violation of the law?

Q: Disney World and Abercrombie & Fitch both fired female employees who insisted

Disney World and Abercrombie & Fitch both fired female employees who insisted upon wearing a Muslim headscarf because such apparel violated the companies’ appearance policies. Can these employers make...

Q: More than 90 percent of employers conduct criminal background checks, and

More than 90 percent of employers conduct criminal background checks, and many of these automatically exclude any job applicant with a criminal record. Is this practice a violation of the law?

Q: The Lillie Rubin boutique in Phoenix would hire only women to work

The Lillie Rubin boutique in Phoenix would hire only women to work in sales because fittings and alterations took place in the dressing room or immediately outside. The customers were buying expensive...

Q: Generally, the BFOQ defense does not apply to customer preference.

Generally, the BFOQ defense does not apply to customer preference. But recently, some clients have been pressuring their law firms to staff their cases with female and minority lawyers. If a firm does...

Q: Ronald Lockhart, who was deaf, worked for FedEx as a

Ronald Lockhart, who was deaf, worked for FedEx as a package handler. Although fluent in American Sign Language, he could not read lips. After 9/11, the company held meetings to talk about security is...

Q: In disparate treatment cases, the plaintiff must show that the defendant

In disparate treatment cases, the plaintiff must show that the defendant intentionally discriminated, but not in disparate impact cases. Is it fair to hold employers liable when they have not engaged...

Q: Mary Ann Singleton was the librarian at a maximum security prison located

Mary Ann Singleton was the librarian at a maximum security prison located in Tazewell County, Virginia. About four times a week, Gene Shinault, assistant warden for operations, insistently complimente...