July: This Month in Workers' Rights

A roundup of key workplace stories, legal updates, and events shaping workers’ rights.

Jury finds Nike discriminate against former female employee

A federal jury in Portland, consisting of seven men and one woman found that Nike discriminated against a former employee by paying her less than her male peers and promoting her more slowly. The jury awarded her approximately $20k in economic damages and more than $7 million in punitive damages. Read more here.

Striking Seattle hotel workers seek unemployment benefits under new law

Hotel workers at Embassy Suites in Pioneer Square have applied for unemployment benefits utilizing a new Washington State law that took effect the first of the year and allows workers to collect up to six weeks of unemployment benefits while on strike during a contract dispute. Read more here.

Newly reintroduced bill would remove award ceiling for two Civil Rights laws

Lawmakers are seeking to eliminate 35-year-old caps on how much money workers can recover when juries award them significant damages in employment discrimination cases. A newly reintroduced bill from congressional Democrats would remove the award ceiling for both the Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Americans with Disabilities Act entirely. Read more here.

Michigan introduce "right to disconnect" bill

Michigan lawmakers are considering the Workplace Employee Boundaries Act. The bill would give employees a legal “right to disconnect” from work communications after hours. While numerous countries already have these laws, only a few states other than Michigan, such as California and New Jersey, are considering them. Read more here.