Two NFL teams are facing lawsuits filed by their cheerleaders. On January 22, an Oakland Raiderette sued the Raiders' organization on behalf of herself and her former and current cheerleaders, alleging that the Raiders violated California labor laws. Earlier this month, a cheerleader from the Bengals filed a suit against the Bengals' organization alleging wage and hour violations.
The Raiders pay the Raiderettes $125.00 per game, which equals $1,250 for a 10 home game season. The cheerleaders allege that when you consider time for photo shoots, time practicing, attending non game events, and additional time working before and after the game on game days, that the Raiders are only paying them about $5.00 per hour. This is well below California's minimum wage. The Raiders also do not pay the cheerleaders until the end of the season. The Raiderettes are also responsible for paying for their own hair and make up, events and photo shoots, and the team docks them if they forget to bring their correct pom-poms to practice. The Raiderettes are also obligated to attend 10 charity functions a year without pay.
The suit against the Bengals' organization is similar. The Ben-Gal cheerleader claims that she was paid $855 for 300 hours spent performing, practicing, and attending events, resulting in an hourly rate of $2.85 per hour. The cheerleaders were also responsible for paying for their transportation to and from games and events, specialized clothing, makeup, tanning, and whatever else the team required.
The Department of Labor is also investigating the Raiders.
If you are are owed wages or overtime pay, contact Ambuter Law for your free case evaluation.
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Friday, February 21, 2014
Gap to Raise Its Minimum Wage
The federal government isn't the only one raising its minimum wage for workers. The Gap, along with a few other retailers, is planning on increasing its minimum hourly rate for 65,000 workers.
The Gap announced on Thursday that it plans on raising its minimum hourly rate to $9.00/hr by end of this year, and $10.00/hr by the end of 2015.
Gap Chief Executive, Glenn Murphy, stated "To us this is not a political issue. Our decision to invest in our frontline employees will directly support our business, and is one that we expect to deliver a return many times over.”
Other private companies are also discussing the possibility of raising their minimum hourly rate by 2015. More to come on this interesting issue.
If you have an employment law question, please contact Ambuter Law for you free consultation.
The Gap announced on Thursday that it plans on raising its minimum hourly rate to $9.00/hr by end of this year, and $10.00/hr by the end of 2015.
Gap Chief Executive, Glenn Murphy, stated "To us this is not a political issue. Our decision to invest in our frontline employees will directly support our business, and is one that we expect to deliver a return many times over.”
Other private companies are also discussing the possibility of raising their minimum hourly rate by 2015. More to come on this interesting issue.
If you have an employment law question, please contact Ambuter Law for you free consultation.
Sunday, February 9, 2014
JC Penney settles Pregnancy Discrimination Suit
Last month, J.C. Penney's paid $40,000.00 to an employee to settle a pregnancy discrimination lawsuit filed by the EEOC.
The EEOC charged that when the female job applicant applied for a position in one of J.C. Penney's hair salons in Brunswick, GA, she was denied a job after she informed the manager that she was pregnant.
This clearly violates the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, which prohibits employers from discriminating against women who are pregnant.
Along with monetary relief, the retailer is making provisions for equal employment opportunity training and reporting and posting of anti-discrimination notices.
If you are the subject of discrimination in the workplace, please contact Ambuter Law for your free case evaluation.
The EEOC charged that when the female job applicant applied for a position in one of J.C. Penney's hair salons in Brunswick, GA, she was denied a job after she informed the manager that she was pregnant.
This clearly violates the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, which prohibits employers from discriminating against women who are pregnant.
Along with monetary relief, the retailer is making provisions for equal employment opportunity training and reporting and posting of anti-discrimination notices.
If you are the subject of discrimination in the workplace, please contact Ambuter Law for your free case evaluation.
Monday, February 3, 2014
Fired for Being Straight
A gym teacher in New York is suing his employer for allegedly violating anti-discrimination laws by firing him because he is a straight married man with children, and that his lesbian boss was giving preferential treatment to younger, single female employees.
The gym teacher, Gregory Kenney, alleged that his boss required him to coach three teams as opposed to the two teams his contract requires. Kenney made complaints to the school, which he alleges were ignored. Kenney then was fired after refusing to work nights and weekends. However, the school took no action against a single, female gym teacher who refused to take on additional coaching responsibilities. Kenney's suit also points out that he was replaced with a gay, female teacher and that three other married coaches with children were also terminated.
New York is one of twenty states that prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation. Title VII, on the other hand, does not specifically recognize discrimination based on sexual orientation. However, judicial opinions are starting to blur the lines between discrimination based on gender stereotyping and discrimination based on sexual orientation. I am sure there will be more to come on this interesting topic.
If you are the victim of discrimination in the workplace, please contact Ambuter Law for your free case evaluation.
The gym teacher, Gregory Kenney, alleged that his boss required him to coach three teams as opposed to the two teams his contract requires. Kenney made complaints to the school, which he alleges were ignored. Kenney then was fired after refusing to work nights and weekends. However, the school took no action against a single, female gym teacher who refused to take on additional coaching responsibilities. Kenney's suit also points out that he was replaced with a gay, female teacher and that three other married coaches with children were also terminated.
New York is one of twenty states that prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation. Title VII, on the other hand, does not specifically recognize discrimination based on sexual orientation. However, judicial opinions are starting to blur the lines between discrimination based on gender stereotyping and discrimination based on sexual orientation. I am sure there will be more to come on this interesting topic.
If you are the victim of discrimination in the workplace, please contact Ambuter Law for your free case evaluation.
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