ADEA hostile environment claim in Louisiana

In Dediol v. Best Chevrolet, the Fifth Circuit has for the first time held a hostile environment claim under the ADEA is actionable. The Court reversed summary judgment for the employer both on the ADEA hostile environment claim as well as on a religious discrimination hostile environment claim.

Jury verdict hits Mississippi casino

A Jewish manager has won a discrimination claim against a Tunica Mississippi casino. The Clarion-Ledger reports " two former casino employees testified they heard the general manager refer to Silverberg as a "G.D. Jewish slug." The jury awarded the former food and beverage director $102,000 in back pay, $76,500 for mental anxiety and $400,000 in punitive damages.

Happy Halloween - you're fired

A district manager for Bath and Body Works claims she was fired for practicing Wicca. The former employee took vacation days to celebrate Samhain, in Salem Mass., in 2008. Samhain, the Celtic new year, coincides with Halloween. In her federal court law suit for religious discrimination she alleges her manager told her "You will need a new career in your new year. … I will be damned if I have a devil worshiper on my team.” An overview of religious discrimination is available from the EEOC website. This case appears to be a direct evidence case rather than a failure to accommodate case.