August, 2018 | Dolan Law Firm

The Grey Area Of Workplace Discrimination

Kate from San Mateo writes: Working in the male-dominated tech field can feel like navigating a proverbial “boys club.” I often feel pressured to participate in rowdy after-work social hours in order to build and maintain relationships with prospective mentors, and sometimes overhear talk of male coworkers’ latest rounds of golf with a mutual supervisor. I don’t know whether my career has been directly impacted by the social alienation I experience, but I can’t help but suspect that it might be. Do employment discrimination laws cover this kind of professional fraternizing? What can I do to change this discriminatory culture within my organization?

Out Of Tragedy Comes Change

This week’s article will focus on the trial and conviction of former Uber driver, Syed Abid Muzaffar, for the charge of vehicular manslaughter arising out of the December 31, 2013, death of 7-year-old Sophia Liu as she was walking home from her grandmother’s house with her mother Huan, and brother, Anthony. As they were lawfully crossing Polk while traveling east on Ellis, Muzaffar turned right crushing Sophia and catastrophically injuring Huan and Anthony. Huan testified that just before being run-down she saw Muzzafar looking down at his cell phone, presumably checking his Uber app. At the time of Sophia’s death Uber first claimed that Muzzafar was not acting as an Uber driver then, later, admitted that he had the app open but sought to continue to distance themselves from the tragedy by saying that he had no passenger onboard.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MOTHER OF YOUNG GIRL KILLED BY UBER DRIVER GRATEFUL FOR JUSTICE

On August 2, 2018, former Uber driver Syed Abid Muzaffar was found guilty of vehicular manslaughter by a jury of 12 San Francisco citizens in the death of Sofia Liu. Muzaffar, while driving his vehicle on the evening of December 31, 2015 at the intersection of Polk and Ellis streets in San Francisco, turned right hitting Sofia, her mother and her brother who were crossing legally in a pedestrian crosswalk, crushing Sofia to death with his vehicle. Muzaffar was working as an Uber driver at the time of the incident.

What Are The Rules Of The Road For Emergency Vehicles

Nate from Oakland writes: I know, of course, that police and fire trucks are entitled to speed down city streets with sirens and flashing lights when responding to emergencies. But I’m sure I’m not the only one to have also seen police cars slide through red traffic lights for no apparent reason. Is this legal? What are the rules of the road for emergency vehicles and what happens if someone is hurt by one, for example, running a red light?