The Inbox, What Kind Of Severance Do The Lords-A-Leaping Get Edition

Here at the Suits by Suits World Last-Minute Gift-Buying-Wrapping-And-Shipping Center, we’re scrambling to finish preparations for our big holiday celebration, but as always, employment-related disputes are filling our time:  The eight maids-a-milking are whispering about Title VII violations, the nine ladies dancing are insisting on an ERISA-type plan for future health costs stemming from dancing-related injuries, the ten lords-a-leaping and eleven pipers piping are just getting in everyone’s way, and the twelve drummers drumming claim that putting them last on the list is our way of retaliating against them for blowing the whistle on harsh working conditions in an offshore toy factory owned by this jolly red friend of ours. 

And all of them wonder how it is that they were gifted to us without violating slavery and human trafficking laws.  Bah humbug! No, that’s too strong – it is our favorite holiday. f

In any event, here are the most interesting news items that came across our transom in the past week: 

• For those of us who write about executive employment disputes, the case of Missouri anchorman Larry Connors has been the gift that kept giving all year, raising interesting issues – now, he’s filed a discrimination suit against the TV station that fired him.
• A fired real estate executive received a holiday gift this week when the Second Circuit Court of Appeals reinstated her retaliation claim against her former employer, real estate manager Andalex.  Andalex didn’t walk away without a stocking-stuffer, though: the appellate court affirmed a trial court’s dismissal of the executive’s hostile work environment claim and her claims for gender and national origin discrimination. 
• In a drama that seems like it’s gone on as long as Masterpiece Theater but could use a little Law & Order: UK to move things along, the fallout from the BBC’s executive pay scandal continues to rock the United Kingdom. 
• Speaking of overseas developments, here’s a thoughtful article on things to consider when you send employees overseas.
• Internet-based travel company Expedia is facing an investor’s derivative lawsuit arising out of its award of stock to CEO Dara Khosrowshahi.  The investor alleges the board couldn’t give Khosrowshahi the stock as a bonus because the company hasn’t met the required targets to authorize it.   
• Add Vermont to the list of states looking at tightening their whistleblower protections.
• The Wall Street Journal has this interesting piece on how non-competes can hamper second and third act careers for talented folks.    

• The Inbox