TrainingBriefs® Misplaced Paternalism

Taking employment actions that you believe are in the employee’s ‚Äúbest interests” - also called misplaced paternalism - can be viewed as discrimination if they are based on stereotypes about a disability, or sex, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Even if what you hear about an employee is based in fact, open discussion of a co-workers personal life can lead to charges of harassment and discrimination; for example, if a co-worker is treated differently such as a change in shift, because everyone knows this person suffers from a mental or medical problem, this person may well be able to sue for discrimination and/or harassment.