Court rulings on disability discrimination cases, sexual harassment reporting.(BUSINESS LAW)

Kiplinger California Letter, The, September, 2007

Employers are getting a break in disability discrimination cases. The California Supreme Court has ruled that it's up to employees to show they are qualified for the job when they file lawsuits claiming they were fired or demoted because of their disabilities. Companies don't have to prove that litigants couldn't handle the work.

Employees can take their time reporting sexual harassment. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that employers may be held liable, even if workers wait a few weeks to complain of a supervisor's actions. It said workers may fear retaliation or think harassment is temporary.