Toxic co-workers can infect a workplace, especially if your co-worker becomes abusive, belittling or violent. Perhaps the behavior started with snarky comments or gossip and has slowly escalated to a level of discomfort or avoidance of the person altogether. Even if the behavior is only affecting you or someone you know, it should be reported to the human resources department. Employers have a legal obligation to provide a safe and comfortable working environment for employees. 

Employers take note: Here's how to spot and prevent a workplace bully.

The Trump administration is making policy and leadership changes prompting more headlines regarding the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. In the spirit of keeping VeriFirst readers informed, through our blog posts and social media (follow us on Twitter for current news), we've consolidated a few headlines that may be of interest for employers.

EEOC in the News

Some entrepreneurs will tell you that there are no original ideas. In fact, it's a startup company's execution on an idea that determines success. In 2012, when meal kit-delivery company Blue Apron was just getting started, there were similar services already gaining success. With some business acumen and VC backing, startup entrepreneur Matt Salzberg hoped to capitalize on the growing trend. Blue Apron has risen above its competition, now delivering close to 8 million meals each month to customers who wish to eat healthier and cook at home. A recent NPR report notes that rapid success of the company and the growing need for quick hiring has created a chaotic work environment for Blue Apron employees.

Fast hiring decisions can negatively affect your business and cause an unsafe company culture. Here's how. 

Let's say you're working for an organization and you frequently notice workplace discrimination. These practices could be in the form of wage differences between genders, discrimination because of age, race, national origin or even sexual orientation. As an employee, you want to be able to confront management about unfair practices, especially as they are protected under various laws. Then you notice that you're passed over for a promotion, demoted or even fired with little or no reason given. This is workplace retaliation.

The EEOC has released new guidance against workplace retaliation. Here's what employers need to know.

Property managers have enough to worry about with maintenance and management of their properties, screening and placing safe and responsible tenants and ensuring rent is paid on time. A VeriFirst client recently shared with us that another challenge is the high rate of employee turnover in their leasing offices. As we went further into the discussion, we recognized the challenge of finding quality employees in property management affects more than just the front office. 

Your front office employees also affect the types of tenants that are being placed in your properties.

For anyone who has been the victim of bullying, you know the psychological and physical toll it takes. For victims of adult bullies, especially in the workplace, the damage goes beyond your place of employment and frequently impacts life outside of work as well. Today's workplace is hyper-competitive and unfortunately, with that competition comes abusive and hostile tactics designed to take down even the best employees. 

Preventing workplace bullying is the responsibility of both employees and their employers. Here's how workplace bullying can be prevented.

The devastating killing spree by an Uber driver in Kalamazoo, Michigan over the weekend has again opened up the topic of proper background screening. Uber has actually been targeted for their background check process for some time and, unfortunately, each terrible event brings more skepticism. Even though an organization like Uber pre-screens potential employees before hire, many neglect to screen employees after they are hired.

If Uber had a post-hire screening process, could the Kalamazoo killing spree have been prevented?

In a recent landmark decision, the U.S. Office of Special Counsel determined that the U.S. Army discriminated against a veteran who had transitioned from male to female. In July, the President signed an executive order against discrimination of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) employees of the federal government. According to the Human Rights Campaign, as of April 2013, 88% of the Fortune 500 companies had implemented non-discrimination policies that include sexual orientation, and 57% had policies that include gender identity.

Transgender and gender neutral rights are protected under various employment regulations including the EEOC. Hiring practices and workplace discrimination are being widely scrutinized. Has your organization adopted a non-disrimination policy? Have you considered the hiring challenges that could be discriminating?