Legal Trendsin Human Resources

Crunching the Data . . .

Robert C. Jackson, Esq.

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Who’s Rob and Why Should I Care?

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Legal Trends: Something Different – Data Review

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• We All Have Assumptions About Lawsuits, but what does the Data Say?

• Interactive.

• Don’t Be Afraid to Share your Thoughts

Please Ask Questions at any time

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CHARGES

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Brief Review

EEOC: Federal Agency Investigates Title VII Charges

Title VII: Title VII of Civil Rights ActDiscrimination based on Race, Religion, Sex, National Origin

FCHR: Florida Agency that Investigates FCRA Charges

EEOC Title VII Charges Nationwide

0

20000

40000

60000

80000

100000

120000

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Race Sex National Origin Relgion Color Retailation

EEOC Title VII Charges Nationwide

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• Number of Charges Amazingly Consistent

• Appear Primarily Driven by Economy

• Long Term Trend is Up

Lesson: Economy Matters, but …You will get a Charge. Be Prepared

EEOC Title VII Charges By Type

0

5000

10000

15000

20000

25000

30000

35000

40000

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Race Sex National Origin Relgion Color Retailation

EEOC Title VII Charges Nationwide

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• Race and Sex Down

• Retaliation Way Up - now No.1 basis

Lesson: Be Very Careful With Complaints

EEOC Title VII Charges Florida -Total

0

2000

4000

6000

8000

10000

12000

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Race Sex National Origin Relgion Color Retailation

EEOC Title VII Charges Florida As a Percentage of US

7.6 7.8 8.1 8 8.1 8.5 8.1 8.37.7 8.1 8.4

8.97.9 8.3 7.9

8.7

12.3 12.2 12.2 12.4

15.5

14.1

12.8 13

7.3 7.4 7.58.3 8

8.8

7.6 7.98.1 8.1

9.4

6.1

18.1

6.6 6.5

9.4

7.68.4

9.18.3 8.1

8.7 8.7 8.7

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

20

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Race Sex National Origin Relgion Color Retailation

Overall Population as a % of US: 6.31%

EEOC Title VII Charges Florida

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• More Charges than US as a Whole

• National Origin much higher

• Consistent over time

Lesson: Better Chance for Charge in FloridaMore Litigious?

FCHR Charges 2015-2016

FCHR Charges 2015-2016

FCHR Investigations

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• Average OVER 200 days!

• Statute - must complete within 180 days

• Refusing to make decision – helps EEs

Lesson: Push FCHR Investigations to completion. Don’t give them any excuses

FCHR Charges 2015-2016

6.6% Cause Findings66.7% No Cause26.6% Admin Closed

FCHR Charges 2015-2016

FCHR Charges By Type 2015-16

413371

62 91

627

149

2015-16

Race Sex Relgion Color Retailation National Origin

FCHR Charges by Type

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• Similar to EEOC

• Retaliation More Prevalent than in Nation

• Refusing to make decision – helps EEs

Lesson: Florida is a high risk state

FCHR Charges 2015-2016

Across all industries – no breakouts

FCHR Charges – Top Ten Counties 2015-2016

Bay County No.7

FCHR Charges – Top 10 Counties 2014-2015

Bay County No. 8

Florida Population by County 2016

Leon, Escambia, Bay Not in Top 10

Florida Population by County 2016

Leon 22 (1), Escambia 18 (4), Bay 28 (7):

FCHR Charges by County

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• Bay much higher than normal risk

• Disproportionate No. of Charges in NW Fla

• Why?

Lesson: NW Fla is a high risk area

Data Summary

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• Admin Charges generally rising, but fluctuate with economy

• Retaliation is now No. 1 basis for charge

• Florida higher than expected charges

• NW Florida much higher than expected

Data Summary

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You are in the highest risk geographic area,in a high risk, litigious state, in anenvironment of ever increasing disputesbetween employers and employees.

So, what do you do about it?

Data Summary

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Ask for a Raise!

But Seriously . . .

How You Handle Complaints is Important

Why?Most Dangerous from a Jury Standpoint

Growth Area of Charges

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Complaint Tips

Recommend deal with all complaints similarly:

• TAKE THEM SERIOUSLY• Focus Complaint (in writing preferred)

• Investigate and Document• Conclude and Follow Up with Complaintant

• Always Leave door open• . . . put burden on Complainer

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Complaint Tips

Checklist is great for standardizing process

Act ProfessionalTreat employee with respect.

DO NOT RETALIATE!Tell them not tolerated. And watch for it.

Watch your Timing . . .

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Other Trends or Thoughts?

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1. New Administration?

2. Ever Expanding Protections

3. Long Term: Workers Comp Style System

Wrap Up

Questions?

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