workplace

Victims of sexual harassment, sexual assault, sexual abuse and their supporters protest during a #MeToo march in Hollywood, Calif., on Nov. 12.

National

Sexual Harassment Cases Often Rejected By Courts

8:19am November 28, 2017

by Yuki Noguchi

Allegations of sexual harassment often sound like they would make a good lawsuit, but many such cases are quickly dismissed. The law sets a high bar for what constitutes sexual harassment.

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Former Fox News Host Gretchen Carlson came forward and accused her boss, the late Roger Ailes, of sexual harassment. She did so in spite of a clause in her employment agreement requiring her to resolve workplace complaints through private arbitration.

National

Supreme Court Ruling Could Limit Workplace Harassment Claims, Advocates Say

6:48am November 16, 2017

by Yuki Noguchi

Recent sexual harassment allegations highlight the power of victims coming forward and revealing patterns of bad behavior. But cases before the Supreme Court could curb such claims in the workplace.

Most employers have policies on reporting sexual harassment, and human resources officials are required to investigate those claims. But those filing the complaints can face obstacles, experts say.

National

Harvey Weinstein Case Highlights Pitfalls Of Workplace Harassment Claims

7:55pm October 16, 2017

by Yuki Noguchi

Most employers have policies on reporting sexual harassment, and human resources officials are required to investigate those claims. But those filing the complaints can face obstacles, experts say.

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People gather around a speaker during a lunchtime seminar at a WeWork co-working space in Washington, D.C.

Co-Working Spaces Are Redefining What It Means To Go To The Office

4:30pm September 26, 2017

by Yuki Noguchi

Part of the appeal of spaces like WeWork is flexibility; monthly membership means avoiding the commitment of a long-term lease. But the real value, the firms say, is a more innovative work culture.

Micromanagement can kill motivation, employee creativity and job satisfaction. It's the biggest beef many workers have about their boss.

National

Is Your Boss Too Controlling? Many Employees Clash With Micromanagers

11:31am July 18, 2017

by Yuki Noguchi

When employees move on, it's often mentioned as the main reason for their departure. Lack of autonomy at work elevates stress hormones and can have other negative health effects, studies show.

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Companies are trying geofencing, which uses GPS and radio frequency identification to set up a virtual, wireless perimeter so that cellphone users in that area receive messages or advertisements on their phones.

Recruiters Use 'Geofencing' To Target Potential Hires Where They Live And Work

6:31pm July 07, 2017

by Yuki Noguchi

Geofencing sets up virtual boundaries to enable tracking of mobile devices in an area. It can be used to send coupons to customers. Now some employers are using it to target and recruit workers.

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The vast majority of contingent or independent workers in the U.S. do not receive employee benefits, though some companies and lawmakers are trying to change that.

Efforts Increase To Bring Health And Other Benefits To Independent Workers

4:38pm June 23, 2017

by Yuki Noguchi

The vast majority of the estimated 54 million to 68 million contingent or independent workers in the U.S. don't receive employee benefits, though some firms and lawmakers are trying to change that.

One Uber driver is available in Muncie, Ind., at 7 p.m. on a recent weeknight. Through dozens of interviews and an informal survey, NPR found that hundreds of Uber drivers feel the company is not living up to its "Be Your Own Boss" promise.

The Faceless Boss: A Look Into The Uber Driver Workplace

7:46pm June 09, 2017

by Aarti Shahani

To recruit drivers, company leaders are fond of saying that at Uber, you can "Be Your Own Boss." But NPR found that many Uber drivers feel controlled by a boss that is both always there, yet faceless.

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Proposals Aim To Combat Discrimination Based On Salary History

5:33pm May 30, 2017

by Yuki Noguchi

Several states and cities are considering measures that would bar employers from asking job candidates about their prior salary. The bills are seen helping narrow the pay gap for women and minorities.

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The American Academy of Pediatrics' guidelines on when children should stay home are more liberal than those of many day care centers.

Should My Slightly Sick Child Stay Home? The Rules Often Conflict

7:36pm January 18, 2017

by Katherine Hobson

Parents have to weigh a lot of factors in deciding whether their kid should get a sick day. But day care centers may make the decision for you — and their rules are not always evidence based.