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 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.
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.
A 30-year-old woman who was recently fired from her full-time job at the Houston Chronicle for working part-time as a stripper has now filed a gender discrimination lawsuit against the company.
After another paper revealed the reporter’s second job, the Chronicle let the woman go and she is now asking the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to investigate the case.
According to CNN News, the woman covered fashion, human interest stories, high society and other general assignment stories. The woman stated that she “rarely” worked as a dancer anymore, but it was a job that put her through college.
A legal representative for the woman stated that her being fired from the job is gender discrimination because firing a woman for working as an exotic dancer has a negative impact on women only, because it is such a predominantly female occupation.
Last year, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission received more complaints from the state of Texas than any other state in the nation, according to a recently released report.
During the fiscal year there were nearly 10,000 complaints made the EEOC from the state of Texas out of the total of 99,947 nationwide. Out of the complaints filed in the state, the most common claims stated that employees were retaliated against after they fought discrimination in some form or another.
The second and third most common reasons were gender and race discrimination. Attorneys have stated that Texas may have more complaints because the large population of Texas residents compared to other states.
