Same-Sex Harassment and Just Cause Protection (Two Unrelated, But Interesting, Stories)

The excellent Workplace Prof Blog has two interesting posts worth particular note today.

First, there is a post reporting on a recent jury verdict in favor of three men from Mississippi who claimed their employer was liable for violating Title VII by failing to prevent and correct a sexually hostile work environment at the hands of a male co-worker.

Second, there is a story about a Montana Supreme Court decision interpreting that state's Wrongful Discharge from Employment Act (WDEA). Montana is unique in the U.S. as the only state that does not adhere to the traditional employment-at-will rule. Instead, the WDEA sets up a form of a just cause requirement for termination. The case described in the post illustrates how inconsistent enforcement of workplace rules can be evidence of lack of cause. It's an interesting story of a "no grazing" policy at Costco and how a bite of a stale Danish nearly lost a worker his job (and would have in any other state).

Check out both!