From charlie.burr at state.or.us Wed Aug 12 09:32:49 2015 From: charlie.burr at state.or.us (Burr, Charlie) Date: Wed, 12 Aug 2015 16:32:49 +0000 Subject: NEWS RELEASE: Avakian files complaint against Stars Cabaret for sex discrimination and harassment of minors Message-ID: <6376A41CAD6C3E4F8A65385BDA4072615E5B7F42@D5DAG1B.D5.USA.NET> [cid:image001.png at 01D0D455.B9075AC0] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 12, 2015 CONTACT: Charlie Burr, BOLI, (971) 673-0788 Avakian files complaint against Stars Cabaret for sex discrimination and harassment of minors BOLI will investigate allegations of sex harassment, failure to take corrective action PORTLAND, OR-Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian has filed a commissioner's complaint against Stars Cabaret in Beaverton alleging sexual harassment of minors, the Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) announced today. An agency investigation will determine whether the company subjected vulnerable minors to conditions of employment that constituted sexual harassment under Oregon law. The commissioner's complaint includes charges that the company failed to take appropriate corrective action to address workplace discrimination and harassment. The charges also allege that during the period from July to September 2014-after police had arrested one of Stars' managers on charges of sexual abuse and compelling prostitution of a minor-the club employed another female under 16 years of age. "No worker-especially a minor-should ever have to face sexual harassment or abuse as a condition of employment," said Labor Commissioner Avakian. "If other workers believe that they've being treated unfairly, they should contact our investigators. A Commissioner's Complaint can shield the identity of vulnerable workers who fear retaliation and ensure aggressive prosecution if we find evidence of wrongdoing." Oregon law empowers the labor commissioner to file a complaint on behalf of the people of Oregon when the commissioner has reason to believe an unlawful practice, such as employment discrimination based on sex, has occurred. The Stars complaint is the seventh commissioner's complaint filed by Avakian. Commissioner's complaints can be a valuable enforcement tool when vulnerable employees express fear of retaliation. Workers can start the complaint process by filing with the Civil Rights Division at crdemail at boli.state.or.us or by calling (971) 673-0764. A previous commissioner's complaint against Daimler Trucks North America resulted in a record $2.4 million civil rights settlement earlier this year, the largest in the agency's history. Copies of the commissioner's complaint are public documents available on the agency's website here. Visit www.oregon.gov/BOLI for more information about all of BOLI's work to protect employment rights, advance employment opportunities, and protect access to housing and public accommodations free from discrimination. ### Charlie Burr Communications Director Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries 800 NE Oregon Street, Suite 1045 Portland, Oregon 97232 Tel: 971-673-0788 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image001.png Type: image/png Size: 7699 bytes Desc: image001.png URL: From charlie.burr at state.or.us Fri Aug 14 11:02:38 2015 From: charlie.burr at state.or.us (Burr, Charlie) Date: Fri, 14 Aug 2015 18:02:38 +0000 Subject: NEWS RELEASE: Avakian warns of labor compliance poster scam Message-ID: <6376A41CAD6C3E4F8A65385BDA4072615E5B9780@D5DAG1B.D5.USA.NET> [cid:image001.png at 01D0D67E.82507A40] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 14, 2015 CONTACT: Charlie Burr, BOLI, (971) 673-0788 Avakian warns of labor compliance poster scam Businesses don't need to buy employment posters that are already available free online PORTLAND, OR-Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian today warned businesses about compliance poster solicitations that may look official, but in fact are scams that seek to charge employers $84 for posters that are already free on the Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) website. BOLI's Technical Assistance for Employers Program offers free online access to all required posters here, as well as low-cost composites for easy workplace posting. The agency offers composite posters in both English and Spanish for just $12.50 plus shipping. "We want Oregon businesses to be successful - not scammed by look-alike vendors selling expensive posters already offered by our agency for free," said Labor Commissioner Avakian. "Employers can get what they need from our website and avoid these rip-offs." An example of the scam letter targeting businesses can be found here. The solicitations are addressed from "Oregon State Compliance" and charge $84 per poster. "The best place to get information about legal requirements is from the agency that helps employers comply with the law," said Jennifer Germundson, manager of the Technical Assistance Program. "We work to be a resource for employers as they navigate state and federal labor laws and workplace protections." Each year, the agency's employer hotline responds to more than 15,000 calls from employers seeking guidance on Wage and Hour and Civil Rights laws. Businesses can contact the free hotline at (971) 673-0824. Registration for the program's 31st Annual Employment Conference will begin Sept. 1. Compliance experts will hold the conference in NE Portland at the Convention Center on Nov. 2 - 3. Visit www.oregon.gov/BOLI for more information about all of BOLI's work to protect employment rights, advance employment opportunities, and protect access to housing and public accommodations free from discrimination. ### Charlie Burr Communications Director Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries 800 NE Oregon Street, Suite 1045 Portland, Oregon 97232 Tel: 971-673-0788 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image001.png Type: image/png Size: 7699 bytes Desc: image001.png URL: