Bank of America-owned brokerage giant Merrill Lynch, one of the world’s largest brokerage firms with more than 15,000 financial advisers, and the lawyers for hundreds of its African-American financial advisers, who accused the company of racial discrimination, reached a $160 million settlement on Wednesday, August 28.
Merrill Lynch issued a statement on the same day saying that they will not comment on the “existence of a settlement [nor its status].” The company maintained that it practices fair standards among all its employees, saying that all its financial advisers are “judged by the same metric regardless of race.”
However, the plaintiffs claimed discrimination prevailed in the company, citing as proof a 2009 filing that only 2 percent of the brokers at Merrill Lynch were black.
If you too are facing racial discrimination from your Austin employer, seek the assistance of our lawyers at The Melton Law Firm. We can help you fight any acts of discrimination, in addition to other employment violations, so call us at 512-330-0017 today.
A racial discrimination case filed against celebrity chef Paula Deen by her former employee Lisa Jackson was dismissed on Monday, August 12 by U.S. District Judge Williams Moore, Jr.
In addition to the racial discrimination case filed against Deen, Jackson also filed a sexual discrimination claim against Deen’s brother, Earl “Bubba” Hiers, claiming the latter created a hostile working environment for her at Uncle Bubba’s Seafood and Oyster House, a fact that the restaurant’s co-owner Deen did nothing about.
According to papers obtained by The Wrap, Deen and Hiers had argued that Jackson, who is white, “lacks standing to pursue racial discrimination claims because she does not allege that she suffered any discrimination based on her race.”
Our attorneys at The Melton Law Firm have vast experience helping employees in Austin claims involving work discrimination, sexual harassment, hostile work environment, civil rights violations, retaliations, wrongful termination, overtime/wage violations, equal pay disputes, and other employment issues. Call 512-330-0017 today to talk with us if you have been unfairly treated at work and want to seek justice for this unfair treatment.
More than 170 employees of the Houston-based Servisair filed a lawsuit alleging wage violations on Tuesday, July 23.
The lawsuit, which was filed in a New York federal court, claims Servisair intentionally rounded off the hours worked by the employees in favor of the company, docking lunch hours worked, and employing a time-management system that automatically decreases time worked for its employees – roughly five hours of overtime pay per week docked since at least 2010 – at more than 20 airports all across the nation.
The lawsuit filed is aiming for a class-action status and is seeking to get overtime compensation, damages, and attorney fees. It estimates the company has shortchanged employees tens of millions of dollars for the past three years.
Servisair, which provides services such as cleaning planes, fueling jets, and pushing wheelchairs, had no comments about the lawsuit at this time.
At Melton & Kummler LLP, our attorneys specialize in helping employees in Austin get the rightful pay they are owed. Thus, if you should ever find yourself in a situation in which you have been denied the wages you should have been paid, call us at 512-330-0067.
A law that will bar workplace discrimination based on gender identity and sexual preference was passed by the Senate Committee on Wednesday, July 10. All Democrats and three Republicans supported the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.
Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski said she was “pleased” to support the bill but possible changes on the Senate floor are also welcome. Murkowski also added that she is a strong believer that workers should be judged on how they can perform the job rather than their sexual orientation, and floor amendments may further improve the bill.
Prior to the passage of this bill, in some states people could be fired, harassed, or denied promotion for being lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgendered.
At The Melton Law Firm, our lawyers believe that no one should be unfairly discriminated against in the workplace. Thus, if you have been subjected to such discrimination in Austin, talk with us about how you can get the justice you are seeking by calling (512) 330-0017 today.
A law that is aimed at preventing discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgendered employees and applicants was recently introduced and is being debated by lawmakers in Texas.
S.B. 237, which was introduced by Senator Leticia Van de Putte, would ban employment discrimination regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression, making it illegal to not hire people or segregate them in the workplace due to these qualities. It is currently pending in the senate. The bill would also allow victims of employment discrimination to file a complaint but not civil lawsuits.
Currently, only discrimination based on race, religion, disability, origin, and sex is prohibited in Texas.
Unfortunately, many people in Austin continue to be subjected to illegal discrimination in the workplace. If this has happened to you, contact the legal team at The Melton Law Firm, by calling (512) 330-0017. We may be able to help you take action against those who unfairly discriminated against you.
In a serious move to end certain types of workplace discrimination, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced on June 13 that he will co-sponsor the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.LGBT Pride Month
In an official statement, Reid said he will make sure to do everything possible to get the bill passed in the Senate as he believes that “no one should face discrimination in their workplace based on sexual orientation.” Reid became the 50th legislator to cosponsor the Employment Nnon-Discrimination Act.
President Obama also showed support for the bill in a reception honoring LGBT Pride Month.
If you or someone you know is being discriminated against in the workplace, our legal team at The Melton Law Firm, can defend your rights. Discuss your situation with us by calling (512) 330-0017 today.
After having his discrimination lawsuit dismissed by a lower court, Vic Gardner, a former employee with the Texas Attorney General’s Office, has filed an appeal, stating that upon discovering Gardner was gay at a Halloween party, his boss created a hostile work environment, resulting in Gardner’s eventual resignation.
His claim states that the discrimination started when Gardner was assumed as a gay by his supervisor after he dressed up as a geisha girl at a Halloween party in their office. Gardner was supposedly treated differently by his supervisor, who reportedly admitted to having a “religious objection” to Gardner’s sexual orientation, after the party and was habitually disciplined, causing him to resign in February 2013.
In his appeal, Gardner is seeking damages for lost income, medical bills, and emotional suffering.
Our legal team at The Melton Law Firm, understands that facing sexual discrimination in the workplace can cause personal and professional suffering. Learn how we may be able to help you hold your employer responsible by calling (512) 330-0017 to discuss your legal options.
A former professor in Dallas claims that she was wrongfully fired from her job after reporting sexual harassment against her superior.
Former Southern Methodist University professor Patricia Davis filed a complaint on April 9 alleging that she was terminated from her post after reporting her former superior Rick Halperin of acting inappropriately towards women in the university. She states that university administrators did not take her seriously and she was fired a day after she asked for an appeal. According to the termination letter, Davis made false accusations of sexual harassment and worked poorly with the program and other staff.
Davis also said in her suit that she was warned by Halperin to look for another job if ever she told anyone about his conduct.
Not only are employees protected from sexual harassment in the workplace, but they should also receive protection from being wrongfully terminated for reporting such misconduct. Thus, if you have been unfairly fired and/or subjected to harassment in the workplace, our lawyers at The Melton Law Firm, can fight for your rights. Call us at (512) 330-0017 to discuss your situation.
A former UT track coach has claimed that she was discriminated against because of her age and gender and is filing complaints against the university’s athletic department.
According to the documents filed with the Texas Workforce Commission and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, track Coach Bev Kearney resigned on January 5th after learning that she would be terminated for an inappropriate relationship with one of her athletes back in 2002. Kearney claimed she was verbally abused and was falsely accused of NCAA violations. Kearney also said she was not getting the same significant pay increases that the white male coaches were receiving.
Kearney would have ranked as the third highest paid track coach in the country if she had completed this school year, according to the Austin-American Statesman.
At The Melton Law Firm, our lawyers understand all too well how limiting and frustrating dealing with gender discrimination can be, either as a man or woman. As such, if you are enduring such a situation, call (512) 330-0017 to discuss your options for restitution.
A mobility aids retailer in New Braunfels has recently settled a disability discrimination suit after they fired a manager of a store in New York.
The New York-based manager filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) after he was fired by his company The Scooter Store upon requesting a leave of absence to mend his psoriatic arthritis. The manager allegedly stated in the complaint that the store violated the ADA. The EEOC helped the manager filed the suit after the company failed to resolve the dispute through commission’s conciliation process.
The Scooter Store has settled to pay the manager an amount of $99,000, which is a part of five-year consent decree to work with managers on avoiding discrimination.
Unfortunately, instances like this, in which employees are discriminated against by their employers happen with far too much regularity. Our lawyers at The Melton Law Firm, fight to protect those employees who have been discriminated against for their disability or other qualities. Call 512-330-0017 to discuss your regrettable situation with a professional who may be able to fight for you.
