There is no real positive thing that can come out of an employment discrimination lawsuit other than hindsight. A lawsuit, whether win or lose, can result in a tarnished reputation for your company. It can also mean very high costs for something that is easily prevented.
So, how can an employment discrimination lawsuit be prevented before it happens? The answer lies in getting clued up as an employer or as a human resources manager about what duties you owe to your employees, and what responsibilities your employees have toward each other.
Why are employment discrimination lawsuits becoming more common?
Employees are becoming more aware about what their legal rights are, and therefore, they feel more empowered to take action. In addition to this, the reports from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) state that in 2010, there were $404 million in monetary claims made by disgruntled employees. Clearly the monetary benefits contribute to the documented increases in lawsuits. Therefore, it makes sense for employers to invest in prevention.
Implement strict policies
Putting strict policies in place does not need to cost a great deal of money or take a lot of time. It means informing all employees of what is expected of them. In other words, they must know how to treat their coworkers with respect. Training days are a great way to help raise awareness around the different types of discrimination.
It is important as an employer to fully explore the different ways that you can prevent employment discrimination lawsuits so that you are not subject to high penalty costs in the future.
Source: The Balance, “Prevent Employment Discrimination and Lawsuits,” accessed Jan. 17, 2018