https://www.empathihr.com/blog Plain-English analysis of EEOC enforcement trends, state harassment-training mandates, workplace investigations, and the Faragher/Ellerth Affirmative Defense from the empathiHR practice. en-us Thu, 03 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://www.empathihr.com/blog/ford-eeoc-graffiti-harassment-conciliation https://www.empathihr.com/blog/ford-eeoc-graffiti-harassment-conciliation Ford will pay $2.3 million over racist graffiti in the workplace, with no lawsuit ever filed. What your removal log has to prove before the EEOC asks for it. Thu, 03 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://www.empathihr.com/blog/eeoc-position-statement-deadline-15-days https://www.empathihr.com/blog/eeoc-position-statement-deadline-15-days The EEOC may cut employer position statement time from 30 days to 15. Why your defense has to exist before the charge arrives, and how to build it now. Wed, 02 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://www.empathihr.com/blog/negligent-hiring-negligent-retention https://www.empathihr.com/blog/negligent-hiring-negligent-retention The Dorney Park negligent hiring lawsuit is a wake-up call, but the bigger risk for most employers is negligent retention. Thu, 09 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://www.empathihr.com/blog/texas-sb-45-explained-what-small-employers-must-know https://www.empathihr.com/blog/texas-sb-45-explained-what-small-employers-must-know Texas sexual harassment law now covers employers with a single employee. What SB 45 changed, and what small employers have to do about it. Thu, 02 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://www.empathihr.com/blog/investigation-protocols-strategic-imperative https://www.empathihr.com/blog/investigation-protocols-strategic-imperative Receiving a complaint is only the beginning. How a ministry responds determines whether the process protects people or compounds harm. Tue, 24 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://www.empathihr.com/blog/congressional-sexual-harassment https://www.empathihr.com/blog/congressional-sexual-harassment A recent congressional vote is a reminder that self-policing rarely works. Not in government. Not in corporations. Mon, 09 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://www.empathihr.com/blog/building-safer-ministries-third-party-reporting https://www.empathihr.com/blog/building-safer-ministries-third-party-reporting A safe ministry culture requires more than good intentions. It requires complaint pathways that people will actually use. Wed, 04 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://www.empathihr.com/blog/building-safer-ministries https://www.empathihr.com/blog/building-safer-ministries Harassment prevention training isn’t just a legal checkbox for ministries. It’s a practical step to protect people, reduce risk, and reinforce trust. Fri, 06 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://www.empathihr.com/blog/insurance-auto-auctions-settlement-lessons https://www.empathihr.com/blog/insurance-auto-auctions-settlement-lessons Allowing race-based harassment while management ignored an employee's complaints resulted in a lawsuit settlement of $175,000 by Insurance Auto Auctions. Thu, 05 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://www.empathihr.com/blog/why-the-texas-ruling-on-transgender-protections-matters-now https://www.empathihr.com/blog/why-the-texas-ruling-on-transgender-protections-matters-now A Texas court vacated portions of the EEOC's 2024 harassment guidance. What still stands under Bostock, and what employers should do now. Tue, 03 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://www.empathihr.com/blog/trump-the-eeoc-and-the-impact-on-employers https://www.empathihr.com/blog/trump-the-eeoc-and-the-impact-on-employers Following President Trump's re-election, the EEOC has undergone leadership changes, policy shifts, and a reassessment of its enforcement priorities. Mon, 17 Feb 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://www.empathihr.com/blog/benefits-of-a-strong-affirmative-defense https://www.empathihr.com/blog/benefits-of-a-strong-affirmative-defense Workplace harassment or discrimination allegations can have significant legal, reputational, and financial consequences for organizations. Tue, 10 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://www.empathihr.com/blog/the-argument-for-outsourcing-workplace-misconduct-investigations https://www.empathihr.com/blog/the-argument-for-outsourcing-workplace-misconduct-investigations Outsourcing workplace investigations to third-party professionals offers organizations numerous advantages, including time efficiency, immediate. Thu, 27 Jun 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://www.empathihr.com/blog/pregnant-workers-fairness-act-employer-guide https://www.empathihr.com/blog/pregnant-workers-fairness-act-employer-guide Pregnancy accommodations have been in a legal gray area for years, leaving many employers and HR professionals uncertain about their responsibilities. Sat, 25 May 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://www.empathihr.com/blog/navigating-the-speak-out-act https://www.empathihr.com/blog/navigating-the-speak-out-act In an era where transparency and accountability are more important than ever, the **Speak Out Act**, signed into law in December 2022, introduces new. Mon, 13 May 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://www.empathihr.com/blog/key-elements-workplace-harassment-prevention-program https://www.empathihr.com/blog/key-elements-workplace-harassment-prevention-program An effective workplace harassment prevention program includes several critical components designed to foster a safe, respectful environment and minimize the. Sun, 21 Apr 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://www.empathihr.com/blog/risk-mitigation-workplace-harassment https://www.empathihr.com/blog/risk-mitigation-workplace-harassment Establishing a comprehensive risk mitigation program, such as a company’s Affirmative Defense, is a proven strategy for reducing claims of harassment and. Sat, 06 Apr 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://www.empathihr.com/blog/application-of-affirmative-defense-in-workplace-discrimination https://www.empathihr.com/blog/application-of-affirmative-defense-in-workplace-discrimination In cases of workplace discrimination, the Affirmative Defense allows employers to defend against liability by demonstrating proactive efforts to prevent and. Wed, 27 Mar 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://www.empathihr.com/blog/american-apparel-harassment-lessons https://www.empathihr.com/blog/american-apparel-harassment-lessons American Apparel faced significant controversy in 2014 when founder and CEO Dov Charney was ousted due to numerous allegations of sexual misconduct. Fri, 22 Mar 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://www.empathihr.com/blog/cbs-harassment-lessons https://www.empathihr.com/blog/cbs-harassment-lessons In 2018, CBS faced intense scrutiny when CEO Les Moonves was accused of sexual misconduct. Sat, 09 Mar 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://www.empathihr.com/blog/hp-harassment-lessons https://www.empathihr.com/blog/hp-harassment-lessons ​​In 2010, HP CEO Mark Hurd resigned following a scandal that involved allegations of sexual harassment and expense report manipulation. Mon, 26 Feb 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://www.empathihr.com/blog/papa-johns-harassment-lessons https://www.empathihr.com/blog/papa-johns-harassment-lessons In 2018, Papa John's founder John Schnatter stepped down after reports revealed he used a racial slur on a conference call, which led to public outrage and. Sun, 04 Feb 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://www.empathihr.com/blog/uber-harassment-lessons https://www.empathihr.com/blog/uber-harassment-lessons In 2017, Uber's CEO Travis Kalanick resigned amid multiple scandals, including allegations of systemic workplace harassment and discrimination. Fri, 19 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT