Business Law: Employment Law

Practice vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts, statutory exceptions, standards, and court cases from Employment Law Parts One and Two.

Employment At-Will

A general rule providing that an employer can fire an employee at any time, for any reason.

Exceptions to Employment At-Will

Situations where at-will termination is prohibited: an employee with an employment contract, firing in violation of statutory protection (e.g., FMLA, Title VII), union employees, and the public policy exception.

Exempt Employees

Employees who are exempt from receiving time and a half overtime pay, requiring a salary of at least $\$684$ per week and the responsibility to manage at least two people (hire/fire).

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

The regulatory body where a discrimination claim must be filed first, subject to a 180 day statute of limitation.

90 Day Right-to-Sue Letter

A document issued by the EEOC if it decides not to pursue a filed claim, permitting the claimant to proceed with an independent lawsuit.

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

Federal law prohibiting employment discrimination on the basis of five protected classes: race, color, national origin, religion, and sex.

Religious Accommodation (Title VII)

The requirement that employers reasonably accommodate an employee's traditional or non-traditional sincerely held religious beliefs unless it would cause the employer to suffer an undue hardship.

Quid Pro Quo Sexual Harassment

A form of sex discrimination characterized by a power relationship, typically exercised by a supervisor onto a subordinate.

Hostile Environment Sexual Harassment

Workplace harassment consisting of conduct that is severe, persistent, or pervasive (such as comments, touching, or jokes) that can be created by a boss, co-worker, or unknown third party.

Employer Obligation (Sexual Harassment)

The legal responsibility of an employer to stop sexual harassment and make sure it stays stopped.

Davis v. Monroe

A legal case establishing liability based on the standard of deliberate indifference.

Bostock v. Clayton County

A 2020 U.S. Supreme Court case establishing that the word 'sex' in Title VII includes male, female, sexual orientation, or gender identity, barring employment decisions based on any of those factors.