Management

Investigation Underway at H&M's Cambodian Factory After Mass Faintings
August 30, 2011

Cambodian factory workers at a plant that produces fashions for H&M are dropping like flies and management says it's baffled. The company says it stopped production after approximately 200 workers suddenly became ill and began fainting last week. According to reports, some workers claimed to smell an intense odor before fainting.

Disney Factory Faces Sweatshop Suicide Claims in China
August 29, 2011

Disney's best-selling "Cars" toys are being made in a factory in China that uses child labor and forces staff to do three times the amount of overtime allowed by law, according to an investigation. One worker reportedly killed herself after being repeatedly shouted at by bosses. Others cited worries over poisonous chemicals. Disney has now launched its own investigation.

Change.org Urges 1,000 Toy Stores to Stop Selling Live Frogs
August 26, 2011

More than 1,000 people across the U.S. have joined a campaign on Change.org calling on toy retailer Learning Express to stop selling live frog "EcoAquariums." Laura Goldman, an animal welfare blogger, launched the campaign on Change.org after learning that live African dwarf frogs were being sold in 4-square-inch plastic cubes.   

Dillard's Divisional Merger Will Eliminate 66 Workers in St. Louis
August 26, 2011

Dillardโ€™s said it's offered to relocate 66 St. Louis employees whose jobs have been eliminated from the department store retailerโ€™s merger of two merchandising divisions. Dillardโ€™s is merging its St. Louis merchandising division with another in Little Rock, Ark. The St. Louis division is slated to close Oct. 23.

US Investigating Work Conditions for Foreign Students at Hershey Warehouse
August 26, 2011

The U.S. Labor Department said that it had opened two investigations into working conditions for foreign cultural-exchange students employed at a Hershey Co. candy warehouse in central Pennsylvania. At the same time, the organizations responsible for employing the students were seeking to resolve a standoff with them by offering a week's paid vacation and cultural-enhancing day trips to Philadelphia, Amish country, and Gettysburg.

American Apparel Employee Killed by Knitting Machine
August 23, 2011

A 49-year-old man employed at an American Apparel factory in Garden Grove, Calif., was "crushed by a circular knitting machine," according to a report on the Orange County coroner's website.

Starbucks Pays For Firing Dwarf Barista
August 22, 2011

Starbucks will pay $75,000 to settle a disability discrimination lawsuit filed when a barista who has dwarfism was fired after asking for a stool. During Elsa Sallard's training in 2009, a manager decided that she would pose a danger to customer and employees and let her go. In addition to the settlement, Starbucks will provide training on disability issues to managers and supervisors at stores in El Paso, Texas.