HR News - Agencies: 2, Employers: 1 with Julia Gannaway

In episode 128, Coffey talks with Julia Gannaway about recent regulatory and legal items that all employers can learn from.

They discuss Whole Foods’ wins in federal court and before a National Labor Relations Board administrative law judge related to dress code enforcement and Black Lives Matter paraphernalia; a business owner who was alleged to have interfered with a Department of Labor wage and hour investigation, going so far as to retaliate against employees who cooperated with investigators; and an employer who settled an age discrimination suit for $90 million.

Links to stuff they talked about are on our website at https://goodmorninghr.com/EP128 and include the following topics:

- Judge dismisses Whole Foods workers' lawsuit over 'Black Lives Matter' masks

- Whole Foods beats NLRB case over ban on Black Lives Matter apparel

- Administrative Law Judge’s Decision (PDF)

- Court Orders Haslett Healthcare Facility Owner Who Allegedly Threatened to Fire Employees for Cooperating with Investigation to Attend Anti-Retaliation Training

- Consent Judgment and Order (PDF)

- Exact Sciences to Pay $90,000 to Settle EEOC Age Discrimination Lawsuit

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About our Guest:

Julia Gannaway is a 1991 graduate of Texas A&M with an economics degree and obtained her J.D. from the University of Houston in 1994. Her law firm – Ross, Gannaway, Clifton PLLC – dedicates itself solely to assisting employers. She advises clients on matters relating to federal and state agency investigations, conducts employer investigations, prepares and revises employer handbooks, and advises clients on pay matters including the FLSA and the Texas PayDay Act. She is a member of the Texas Bar College. Julia currently serves on the Fort Worth HR Board of Directors as Legal and Legislative Director.

Julia can be reached at 

https://rossgannaway.law 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/rossgannawayclifton/

About Mike Coffey:

Mike Coffey is an entrepreneur, human resources professional, licensed private investigator, and HR consultant.

In 1999, he founded Imperative, a background investigations firm helping risk-averse companies make well-informed decisions about the people they involve in their business.

Today, Imperative serves hundreds of businesses across the US and, through its PFC Caregiver & Household Screening brand, many more private estates, family offices, and personal service agencies.

Mike has been recognized as an Entrepreneur of Excellence and has twice been named HR Professional of the Year.

Additionally, Imperative has been named the Texas Association of Business’ small business of the year and is accredited by the Professional Background Screening Association.

Mike is a member of the Fort Worth chapter of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization and volunteers with the SHRM Texas State Council.

Mike maintains his certification as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) through the HR Certification Institute. He is also a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP).

Mike lives in Fort Worth with his very patient wife. He practices yoga and maintains a keto diet, about both of which he will gladly tell you way more than you want to know.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand when dress codes may or may not be implicated by the National Labor Relations Act.
2. Implement training to avoid retaliation claims during federal investigations.
3. Recognize language and behaviors that suggest age discrimination.