In this episode we review two recent cases, both of which point toward the federal courts gradual expansion of discrimination law, inching closer to requiring civility in the workplace. We also have a highly informative interview with Brian Therrien of Disability Digest about qualifying for disability benefits, and the differences between short term, long term, and social security disability. I learned a lot just from interviewing Brian, and I know you'll find this to be one of our most informat...
Jan 25, 2010•49 min
Episode 13 features an interview with our forum Den Mother and bully boss fighter, Lulu. Lulu joined our forum feeling alone and confused about how her long stellar career could start crumbling when a much younger manager took over the department where Lulu worked. Over a year later Lulu is still fighting through trials, but now after learning her rights she feels empowered and more in control. Make no mistake, Lulu does not have an easy life. But listen to her tell her story on this podcast and...
Dec 16, 2009•49 min
Episode 12 features an interview with Bully Boss survivor turned author Marilyn Veincentotzs. Marilyn, who also goes by "Dr. Vee", learned from "Work Laws Exposed" how to fight back against a bullying boss. Then she helped a good friend do the same thing. Then she took her expertise in organizational psychology and wrote a book, "How Organizations Empower Bully Bosses: A criminal in the workplace." In Episode 12 we also introduce a fantastic new resource for people who need help with responding ...
Nov 30, 2009•41 min
In this episode of the Hostile Workplace Podcast we are very pleased to feature an interview with Dr. Ben Leichtling, who has written a book and published a DVD set on living bully free in all aspects of life, including work. Dr. Leichtling was so generous with his time that we couldn't fit all of his helpful insights and ideas into the podcast, but it was simply too good "to leave on the cutting room floor". So even more of this interview is available on the Members-Only Forum, which is just $1...
Sep 20, 2009•35 min
Main Segment In the Main Segment of Episode #10 we tackle the issue of "Bully Bosses Who Forbid Bathroom Breaks." This craziness happens much more frequently than you may think. Can you guess who the primary victims are? #1 Spanish radio station in Miami The radio show I mention during the show is 98.3. My thanks to Frank, the Undercover Lawyer community member from Miami who got the book and called in to 98.3 to talk about it. Thanks Frank! All Spanish UCL Site Now Launched: www.demandas-empleo...
Aug 12, 2009•27 min
In Episode #9 the Undercover Lawyer (Curt K.) reveals 10 things that bosses do to their employees that cause hostile work environment lawsuits. This is explosive information that big business pays top dollar for; Curt himself regularly charges companies $1,000+ for "How Not to Get Sued" seminars that cover this same material! But now you get it for free, plus Curt's explanation of how employees can use this information for their advantage. In the Quick Tip Curt covers how the new Federal Bailout...
Jul 20, 2009•24 min
Have you ever wished that you could sue your bully of a boss? This episode is about a hospital employee named Joseph Doescher who did just that. The Bully-Boss Surgeon Doescher's "boss" was a cardiovascular surgeon named Dr. Daniel Raess. Dr. Raess behavior included yelling, screaming, and swearing at Doescher with "clenched fists, piercing eyes, beet-red face, [and] popping veins." The incident that prompted the lawsuit ended with Doescher believing that Dr. Raess was going to hit him, but at t...
Feb 02, 2009•23 min
In Episode #7, we discuss how your boss can be liable to you for creating a hostile work environment based on age. The main example we cover is Elizabeth Parks v. Lebhar-Friedman, Inc., 2008 WL 4449345 (SDNY) (Oct. 2, 2008). Parks' employer, Drug Store News, made some key mistakes that your employer is probably making, too. Also, the resource discussed in the quick tip is at: http://creditcard.westlaw.com/. Finally, we have an exciting announcement about exciting new features coming to Undercove...
Jan 03, 2009•35 min
The primary message of Episode #6 of the Hostile Workplace Podcast is "You Are Not Powerless When Facing Termination!" This episode shows you how to fight back and try to keep your job, PLUS, we cover how to negotiate a severance if you decide to leave. Negotiating a severance would also apply to anyone who is facing layoffs at their company. Tips 1-3: Fight Back by utilizing protected classes and turning the tables on your supervisor. Tips 4-7: Slow the Process Down by knowing all your due proc...
Nov 10, 2008•28 min
Episode #5 features a listener interview with Vicki, who fought tooth and nail against disability discrimination to keep her job. She also has learned a lot about filing for FMLA leave and filing with the EEOC. Anyone facing these same issues can learn from Vicki's story. The Quick Tip for this episode is an update on the subject of Male to Male sexual harassment. New cases are being filed against restaurants you've heard of. Finally, the Hostile Workplace Podcast now has a listener comment line...
Sep 07, 2008•27 min
Michell and Dan began their working relationship as friends. Dan supervised a group of 8 employees; 7 young men plus Michelle. Michelle was only 21. Before work each morning, however, she had to drop off her young son at her mother’s house. As a result, Michelle often arrived between 5 and 15 minutes late. But Dan was sympathetic to Michelle’s struggles as a single mom. He was the only other person at work with children. Plus, how could you not like Michelle? She worked hard, she was cute, and s...
Aug 13, 2008•28 min
Episode #3 of the Hostile Workplace Podcast, by the Undercover Lawyer Announcements In epsisode three I mentioned that you can follow me on Twitter. In you are not familiar with it, Twitter is a “micro-blogging” site, where people can post short, text message length updates about what they are doing each day. You can see it for yourself at www.Twitter.com . My username on Twitter, if you would like to follow me, is “Undercover_Lawr”. Quick Tip For the Quick Tip, we talked about how employees hav...
Jul 29, 2008•38 min
In The Hostile Work Place Podcast, Episode #2, we discuss the most explosive of work subjects, sexual harassment. During the show we explain how the U.S. Supreme Court recognizes two types of sexual harassment: Quid Pro Quo (latin for "something traded for something") Hostile Work Environment based on sex We also explain how you can evaluate whether or not an action can be considered sexual harassment by using the idea of "unwelcomeness". If unwelcomness is established, a court will look to four...
Jul 13, 2008•40 min
In episode #1 we discuss how in the current economy terminations and layoffs are increasing, but poor performance is often not the reason used to select who is let go and who is not. We discussed the forum posting contest for the Month of July 2008, where the top three posters to the forums at http://www.UndercoverLawyer.com will win either an Apple iPhone (3G), an iPod Shuffle, or an iTunes gift certificate. All three top posters will also win a copy of one of the Undercover Lawyer's books abou...
Jun 24, 2008•19 min
