Vogue Italy Uses Controversial Term “Slave Earrings”

Vogue Italia is being criticized for racism after issuing a fashion article on its Website regarding “slave earrings,” a term created to describe over-sized hoop earrings. Specifically, the article stated: “Jewelry has always flirted with circular shapes, especially for use in making earrings. The most classic models are the slave and creole styles in gold hoops.” The article’s title was “Slave Earrings,” describing them as “a classic always in evolution.” Vogue Italia’s editors apologized for the article. The title of the article has now been changed to “Ethnic Earrings.” See: http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/fashion/2011/08/22/2011-08-22_vogue_italy_slammed_for_slave_earrings_post_on_website_piece_hypes_huge_hoops_as.html

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 makes it illegal to discriminate against someone on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, or sex. The law forbids discrimination when it comes to any aspect of employment, including hiring, firing, pay, job assignments, promotions, layoff, training, fringe benefits, and any other term or condition of employment. This law is enforced by the Civil Rights Center.

The lawyers at Leeds Morelli & Brown, PC, located in Nassau County, New York, have been successful in litigating against discrimination claims. If you have been a victim of discrimination because of your age, gender, race, or sexual orientation, please contact Leeds Morelli & Brown, PC at 1-888-585-4658, One Old Country Road, Suite 347, Carle Place, NY, 11514-1851.

Bottling Company in PA Fined $111K for Workplace Violations

In Allentown, PA, the A – Treat Bottling Company has been fined $111,000 by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). A-Treat makes and bottles soft drinks, was founded in 1918, and has about 50 works in its facility. The OSHA’s investigators discovered two dozen workplace safety and health violations. Such violations include: failing to properly train employees, failing to maintain forklifts in safe operating condition, and failing to protect employees from electrical hazards. Read more about this story here.

Safe labor standards must be in place for all US citizen employees. In NY, the New York State Department of Labor states that violations of any provision of the Labor Law, the Industrial Code, or any rule, regulation, or lawful order of the Department of Labor is a misdemeanor. Violators can be punished by fine or imprisonment, or both, as well as even civil penalties (up to $10,000) for each violation of labor law governing the employment of minors under 18 years old by an employer. Penalties include fine up to $1,000 for the first violation, $2,000, for the second, and $3,000 for the third and subsequent violations. Also, according to the New York State Department of Labor, an employer is not allowed penalize or discharge an employee because he/she complained to the Labor Department about the employer violating the law. See: http://www.labor.state.ny.us/workerprotection/laborstandards/workprot/minors.shtm

If you or someone you know has been affected by a violation of safety labor laws, the lawyers at Leeds Morelli & Brown, PC, have extensive experience in handling all matters of labor disputes. Victims of such offenses may be entitled to compensation. For more information or a consultation, contact Leeds Morelli & Brown, PC at 1-888-5-JOBLAW.

Lifeguard Sues New York Over Revealing Swimsuit Rule

A former Jones Beach, New York lifeguard is suing New York State Parks for age discrimination after a rule was put in placed that would have forced him to wear swimwear he considered not appropriate for a 61-year-old.  Roy Lester, 61, was a lifeguard at Jones Beach, Long Island for almost forty years until 2007 when a new clothing rule was implemented. The new rule is still in place and it requires that to be re-hired as a lifeguard, the employee must wear a specific short while completing a qualifying swim test.  The inappropriate attire is “boxers, briefs, or board shorts.”  Lester believed that this type of short was inappropriate for an older age group.  Lester believes you should show less skin as you age and prefers jammers, a tight lycra short that ends a couple of inches above the knee.  The court found that since 80 of the 271 lifeguards hired in 2007 ranged from 40 to 80 years old there was no probable cause of age-based discrimination, according to court documents.  However, the court reversed this decision last Tuesday on second appeal allowing the case to go to trial.  Full article.

The Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in employment, state and local government, public accommodations, commercial facilities, transportation, and telecommunications.  The ADA does not specifically name all of the impairments that are covered, but common examples of disabilities include confinement to a wheelchair, reliance on assistive devices such as canes and walkers, blindness, deafness, a learning disability, and certain kinds of mental illness. The ADA states that a business entity shall not discriminate against a qualified individual with a disability. This applies to job application procedures, hiring, advancement and discharge of employees, workers’ compensation, job training, and other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment. For more information:  ADA Website

Leeds Morelli & Brown, PC is a nationally recognized law firm in the area of employment law. Our firm has had considerable success in matters of employment discrimination throughout Long Island and the New York City area. For more information, contact Leeds, Morelli and Brown, PC at 1-800-585-4658 for a free consultation.

Polygamist Warren Jeffs Convicted of Sexual Assault

Polygamist Warren Jeffs, leader of a breakaway Mormon sect, has been found guilty of child sexual assault.  Jeffs, 55, was found guilty by a Texas jury also for aggravated child sexual assault for his “spiritual marriages” and sexual encounters with girls aged just 12 and 14.  Jeffs now faces up to 119 years in prison.  His polygamist sect has approximately 10,000 followers across North America, which promotes that plural marriage is the pathway to heaven.  Evidence during the trial showed the Jeffs fathered a child with a 14 year old girl. Full article.

Under New York law, a child is subject to a custody arrangement until age 18.  In New York child custody matters, the Court determines custody based on what it believes to be the best interests of the children.  A child custody decision is not set in stone. Changing circumstances within the family or with the child may make it necessary to ask the judge for a modification to the original child custody order.  This may include a parent becoming unfit.  Any modification is always based on the best interest of the child and it is never one factor that will determine the court’s decision.

The law firm of Leeds, Morelli & Brown, P.C. has represented clients in Nassau and Suffolk counties, Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx, and Staten Island. If you are facing a child custody proceeding, it is important to hire lawyers that are capable of advocating your needs.  For any questions, contact an attorney at the Leeds Morelli & Brown P.C. law firm for a free consultation at 1-888-556-2529 or visit our divorce website at www.lbdivorcelaw.com.

Thylane Loubry Blondeau Photos: 10 – Year – Old Model’s Sultry Vogue Spread Sparks Controversy

A series of suggestive photos featuring a 10 – year – old model Thylane Loubry Blondeau have sparked controversy over the sexualization of young girls.  A photo spread appears in a recent issue of Vogue Paris with young Blondeau scantily clothed with a sultry pout.  This spread has many criticizing the magazine and questioning whether there is a growing trend of young children being depicted as much, much older in magazines, television, and movies. Full article.

Under New York law, children under 14 years of age may not be employed any time, neither after school nor during vacation.  However, minors 11 years of age or older may work outside school hours as newspaper carriers to deliver, or sell and deliver newspapers, shopping papers, or periodicals to homes or business places.  Minors 12 years of age or older may work outside school hours for their parents or guardians either on the home farm or at other outdoor work not connected with a business.  There is no minimum age for child performers at theatrical, radio, or television performances or for child models, although a permit is required prior to employment.  For more details regarding New York’s Child Labor Laws see: NY Department of Labor

Leeds Morelli & Brown, PC is a nationally recognized firm in the area of employment law.  Our firm has had considerable success in matters of employment discrimination throughout Long Island and the New York City area.  For more information, contact Leeds Morelli & Brown, PC at 1-800-585-4658 for a free consultation.

KKK Targets Black Pastor in Mississippi

A black pastor in Mississippi reported that his home was attacked gunshots by racists over his support of a white candidate to be sheriff. Sheriff Harold Jones, the candidate, also had his campaign signs sprayed with racist graffiti. The term “KKK” was written on all of the signs. Authorities believe the acts of shooting and vandalism are related, and no arrests have been made yet. Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/2011/07/22/2011-07-22_kkk_targets_black_pastor_willie_jones_for_supporting_white_sheriff_candidate_in_.html#ixzz1T4HcBWwB

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects individuals against employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, or religion. Discrimination on the basis of an immutable characteristic associated with race, such as skin color, hair texture, or certain facial features violates Title VII, even though not all members of the race share the same characteristic. Even though race and color overlap, they are not synonymous. Color discrimination can occur between persons of different races or ethnicities, or between persons of the same race or ethnicity. Although Title VII does not define “color,” Courts have created a common understanding which includes: pigmentation, complexion, or skin shade or tone. Thus, color discrimination occurs when a person is discriminated against based on the lightness, darkness, or other color characteristic of the person. Title VII prohibits race/color discrimination against all persons, including Caucasians. See: http://www.eeoc.gov/facts/fs-race.html

The attorneys at Leeds Morelli & Brown, P.C., dedicate a large amount of their practice to discrimination claims. For any questions, contact an attorney at the Leeds Morelli & Brown P.C. law firm for a free consultation at