Latest news with #Werner
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Werner loses again on issue of deaf driver, but dollar amounts are a lot lower
Werner Enterprises has lost on appeal in a case that at one point saw it facing a $36 million penalty for not hiring a deaf driver–later reduced by a federal court–who had gone through a company training program. The financial stakes in the case brought by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission under the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act are now about $335,000, a far cry from a jury's decision in 2023 to award deaf truck driver Victor Robinson about 107 times that figure. The unanimous decision last week from an Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals three-judge panel fully affirmed all the September 2023 decisions from both a jury trial in the U.S. District Court for Nebraska and later decisions handed down from the bench over post-trial motions. The affirmation includes a reduction in the original punitive damages awarded by the jury. That reduction came after the court ruled that EEOC awards are capped at $300,000. The EEOC was the plaintiff in the case on behalf of Victor defendants along with Werner (NASDAQ: WERN) included Drivers Management LLC, which is Werner's training subsidiary. Werner made several points on appeal, all of which were rejected by the appellate court. A recap of the case in the recent appellate court decision noted that Robinson had a 'medical variance' from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). That waiver is needed for a deaf driver to obtain a CDL. It was obtained in 2015. With the variance in hand, Robinson enrolled in Roadmaster, the driving school owned by Werner. His training involved not just a regular trainer but also an interpreter for the deaf, 'who communicated with Robinson from the backseat of the vehicle throughout the process,' according to the court's recap of the case's history. In September 2016, Robinson completed the training and received his CDL. But soon after, according to the recap of the case by the appellate court, Werner Vice President of Safety and Compliance Jamie Hamm told him on a call, 'I'm sorry, we can't hire you because of your deafness.' The call took place, according to the court, after Robinson had been told he had been preapproved for employment by recruiter Erin Marsh in an email. After calling Marsh–using a relay service for the phone call–the two talked about, according to the court, ''the job, the orientation, providing interpreting services,' and other general matters.' The district court's decision in January 2024 to award back pay to Robinson of about $35,000 lists several driving jobs Robinson had after not being hired at Werner, none of which lasted very long; only one, with Stan Koch Trucking, reached 12 months. Other jobs on his record included with J.B. Hunt (NASDAQ: JBHT) and U.S. Xpress, now part of Knight Swift (NYSE: KNX). The roughly $335,000 award is a combination of the punitive damages, capped at $300,000, and the backpay. In a May 2024 series of decisions on post-trial motions in the case, the district court summed up the basis for the jury's decision against Werner. 'The jury determined that Robinson was qualified to perform the job to which he applied, he could have safely performed the essential functions of the job with a reasonable accommodation, and Werner's refusal to hire Robinson was not based on business necessity,' District Court Judge John Gerrard wrote. There were multiple issues raised by Werner in its appeal over events in the trial. They included the question of 'causation' and whether Robinson's dismissal was because of his deafness; whether Robinson's overall driving record (which included several accidents) could be introduced to the jury; Werner objections to the admission of emails sent between Werner executives on the decision-making to deny Robinson employment; whether hiring a deaf driver would provide 'undue hardship' for Werner; and whether the FMCSA waiver meant Werner could not deny Robinson employment on the basis of his deafness. Ultimately, the appellate court did not side with Werner on any of the points made in its appeal. An email to Werner seeking comment had not been responded to by publication time. More articles by John Kingston At a conference of mostly green investors, AlFleet pushes marriage of AI and trucking Another broker liability case knocks at Supreme Court door, this one involving C.H. Robinson XPO rating cut by S&P, agency cites continuing weak freight market The post Werner loses again on issue of deaf driver, but dollar amounts are a lot lower appeared first on FreightWaves.
Local Sweden
4 days ago
- Health
- Local Sweden
Sweden's new gender change law 'one less thing to worry about'
At the beginning of July, Sweden removed some of the restrictions for changing gender legally and how it appears on official documents. How has this affected people in the country wanting to change gender? Advertisement After four years of waiting, Jenny Leonor Werner sees the light at the end of the tunnel, able to legally switch gender following a recent change to Swedish law. "It just feels good ‒ one less thing to worry about," Werner, 22, who was declared male at birth but identifies as female, told AFP. Now all that is needed to change is a medical certificate stating that a person's gender identity does not align with the one indicated on their birth certificate. Healthcare professionals have to evaluate whether the change better reflects the person's gender identity and must ensure that the person can live with their new gender identity for the foreseeable future. The minimum age to make the change has also been lowered from 18 to 16 years, although people under 18 need permission from their legal guardian. A week after the law came into effect, 106 people had submitted applications, according to Sweden's National Board of Health and Welfare. Previously, individuals wanting to change their legal gender had to undergo a lengthy evaluation process in order to obtain a diagnosis of gender dysphoria. That is a condition where a person experiences distress as a result of a mismatch between the sex they were assigned at birth and the gender they identify themselves as having. Werner had received this diagnosis in 2024 after a four-year process and could have already requested the legal change. But healthcare staff advised her "to wait for the new law, as the process should be faster". Advertisement Gender dysphoria rise Access to surgical procedures is also simplified under the new law ‒ the requirement to first change one's legal gender has been removed. Before the law was passed in April of last year, it was preceded by intense debates in parliament, with the right-wing ruling coalition government divided. The Moderates and Liberals were in favour of the text but government partner the Christian Democrats opposed it, as did the anti-immigration Sweden Democrats, which is propping up the government. "This law is a major step forward. The separation of law and medicine in the new law makes things much easier," Frank Berglund, a policy expert at the Swedish Association for Sexuality Education (RFSU), told AFP. Berglund, 30, legally changed his gender at the age of 19. Like Werner, it took him about four years to obtain the gender dysphoria diagnosis. Advertisement Currently, the waiting time to even begin an evaluation can stretch to several years, according to the National Board of Health and Welfare. The health agency has also noted a sharp increase in cases of gender dysphoria, particularly among 13- to 17-year-olds who were declared female at birth. The agency reported a 1,500-percent jump between 2008 and 2018. Following the rapid increase and citing a need for caution, Swedish authorities decided in 2022 to halt hormone therapy for minors except in very rare cases. They also limited mastectomies for teenagers wanting to transition. Berglund said the new law would help "reduce waiting lists in healthcare to some extent". He also welcomed the possibility of making the legal change before the age of 18, saying it was absurd that he had been able to complete the entire medical procedure before 18 but not the legal process. "I had already changed my name, started hormone treatment and received the diagnosis," he said. Werner recounted being asked: "Is this you?" when showing her identification card. "Now I can get a new ID card that I'm really happy with," she said. "I've never been satisfied with the ID cards and passports I've had before." With the new law, Sweden is amending its gender identity legislation for the first time since it was first adopted in 1972. Back then, the Nordic country became a world pioneer by allowing people to legally change their gender. But campaigners want Sweden to go further and allow people to change their legal gender without requiring a medical certificate, as is the case in all other Nordic countries. By AFP's Agnes Johanna Wästfelt
Eyewitness News
4 days ago
- Health
- Eyewitness News
Sweden cuts red tape for changing legal gender
STOCKHOLM - After four years of waiting, Jenny Leonor Werner sees the light at the end of the tunnel, able to legally switch gender following a recent change to Swedish law. As of July 1, Sweden has removed some of the restrictions for changing gender legally and how it appears on official documents. "It just feels good -- one less thing to worry about," Werner, 22, who was declared male at birth but identifies as female, told AFP. Now all that is needed to change is a medical certificate stating that a person's gender identity does not align with the one indicated on their birth certificate. Healthcare professionals have to evaluate whether the change better reflects the person's gender identity and must ensure that the person can live with their new gender identity for the foreseeable future. The minimum age to make the change has also been lowered from 18 to 16 years, although people under 18 need permission from their legal guardian. A week after the law came into effect, 106 people had submitted applications, according to Sweden's National Board of Health and Welfare. Previously, individuals wanting to change their legal gender had to undergo a lengthy evaluation process in order to obtain a diagnosis of gender dysphoria. That is a condition where a person experiences distress as a result of a mismatch between the sex they were assigned at birth and the gender they identify themselves as having. Werner had received this diagnosis in 2024 after a four-year process and could have already requested the legal change. But healthcare staff advised her "to wait for the new law, as the process should be faster". GENDER DYSPHORIA RISE Access to surgical procedures is also simplified under the new law -- the requirement to first change one's legal gender has been removed. Before the law was passed in April of last year, it was preceded by intense debates in parliament, with the right-wing ruling coalition government divided. The Moderates and Liberals were in favour of the text but government partner the Christian Democrats opposed it, as did the anti-immigration Sweden Democrats, which is propping up the government. "This law is a major step forward. The separation of law and medicine in the new law makes things much easier," Frank Berglund, a policy expert at the Swedish Association for Sexuality Education (RFSU), told AFP. Berglund, 30, legally changed his gender at the age of 19. Like Werner, it took him about four years to obtain the gender dysphoria diagnosis. Currently, the waiting time to even begin an evaluation can stretch to several years, according to the National Board of Health and Welfare. The health agency has also noted a sharp increase in cases of gender dysphoria, particularly among 13- to 17-year-olds who were "assigned female at birth". The agency reported a 1,500-percent jump between 2008 and 2018. Following the rapid increase and citing a need for caution, Swedish authorities decided in 2022 to halt hormone therapy for minors except in very rare cases. They also limited mastectomies for teenagers wanting to transition. SHORTER WAITING LISTS Berglund said the new law would help "reduce waiting lists in healthcare to some extent". He also welcomed the possibility of making the legal change before the age of 18, saying it was absurd that he had been able to complete the entire medical procedure before 18 but not the legal process. "I had already changed my name, started hormone treatment and received the diagnosis," he said. Werner recounted being asked: "Is this you?" when showing her identification card. "Now I can get a new ID card that I'm really happy with," she said. "I've never been satisfied with the ID cards and passports I've had before." With the new law, Sweden is amending its gender identity legislation for the first time since it was first adopted in 1972. Back then, the Nordic country became a world pioneer by allowing people to legally change their gender. But campaigners want Sweden to go further and allow people to change their legal gender without requiring a medical certificate, as is the case in all other Nordic countries.
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Health
- Straits Times
Sweden cuts red tape for legal change to gender
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Healthcare professionals have to evaluate whether the change better reflects the person's gender identity. STOCKHOLM - After four years of waiting, Ms Jenny Leonor Werner sees the light at the end of the tunnel, able to legally switch gender following a recent change to Swedish law. As of July 1, Sweden has removed some of the restrictions for changing gender legally and how it appears on official documents. 'It just feels good – one less thing to worry about,' said Ms Werner, 22, who was declared male at birth but identifies as female, told AFP. Now all that is needed to change is a medical certificate stating that a person's gender identity does not align with the one indicated on their birth certificate. Healthcare professionals have to evaluate whether the change better reflects the person's gender identity and must ensure that the person can live with their new gender identity for the foreseeable future. The minimum age to make the change has also been lowered from 18 to 16 years, although people under 18 need permission from their legal guardian. A week after the law came into effect, 106 people had submitted applications, according to Sweden's National Board of Health and Welfare. Previously, individuals wanting to change their legal gender had to undergo a lengthy evaluation process in order to obtain a diagnosis of gender dysphoria. That is a condition where a person experiences distress as a result of a mismatch between the sex they were assigned at birth and the gender they identify themselves as having. Ms Werner had received this diagnosis in 2024 after a four-year process and could have already requested the legal change. But healthcare staff advised her 'to wait for the new law, as the process should be faster'. Gender dysphoria rise Access to surgical procedures is also simplified under the new law – the requirement to first change one's legal gender has been removed. Before the law was passed in April of 2024, it was preceded by intense debates in parliament, with the right-wing ruling coalition government divided. The Moderates and Liberals were in favour of the text but government partner the Christian Democrats opposed it, as did the anti-immigration Sweden Democrats, which is propping up the government. 'This law is a major step forward. The separation of law and medicine in the new law makes things much easier,' Mr Frank Berglund, a policy expert at the Swedish Association for Sexuality Education (RFSU), told AFP. Mr Berglund, 30, legally changed his gender at the age of 19. Like Ms Werner, it took him about four years to obtain the gender dysphoria diagnosis. Currently, the waiting time to even begin an evaluation can stretch to several years, according to the National Board of Health and Welfare. The health agency has also noted a sharp increase in cases of gender dysphoria, particularly among 13- to 17-year-olds who were 'assigned female at birth'. The agency reported a 1,500 per cent jump between 2008 and 2018. Following the rapid increase and citing a need for caution, Swedish authorities decided in 2022 to halt hormone therapy for minors except in very rare cases. They also limited mastectomies for teenagers wanting to transition. Shorter waiting lists Mr Berglund said the new law would help 'reduce waiting lists in healthcare to some extent'. He also welcomed the possibility of making the legal change before the age of 18, saying it was absurd that he had been able to complete the entire medical procedure before 18 but not the legal process. 'I had already changed my name, started hormone treatment and received the diagnosis,' he said. Ms Werner recounted being asked: 'Is this you?' when showing her identification card. 'Now I can get a new ID card that I'm really happy with,' she said. 'I've never been satisfied with the ID cards and passports I've had before.' With the new law, Sweden is amending its gender identity legislation for the first time since it was first adopted in 1972. Back then, the Nordic country became a world pioneer by allowing people to legally change their gender. But campaigners want Sweden to go further and allow people to change their legal gender without requiring a medical certificate, as is the case in all other Nordic countries. AFP
Qatar Tribune
09-07-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
Leipzig coach Werner in agreement with Klopp on style of football
dpa Leipzig New RB Leipzig coach Ole Werner has said he is in full agreement with Red Bull Head of Global Soccer Jürgen Klopp on the future direction of the team. Werner, 37, said at his official presentation on Wednesday that he considers the exchange with former Liverpool manager Klopp 'a huge opportunity' and said that the two have talked a lot. 'We agreed very quickly on what kind of football we want to play here,' Werner said, pledging an active and aggressive game. Werner arrived on a two-year contract after four years at Werder Bremen, after Marco Rose had to go in spring and Zsolt Löw acted as caretaker for the remaining matches. Ambitious Leipzig finished seventh, failing to qualify for Europe for the first time since their promotion into the top flight in 2016. Werner wants this is to change again, saying: 'We want to get back into Europe, while we're also not setting any limits on how high we can aim. That's the clear task that's been assigned to me. 'RBL stands for a certain and unmistakable style of football. My job is to develop that further.' Pre-season training starts on Monday but it remains to be seen which players will still be around by the end of the transfer window in August. Forward Timo Werner appears to have no future after the end of his loan spell at Tottenham Hotspur, and managing director Marcel Schäfer confirmed that veteran forward Yussuf Poulsen was in talks with promoted SV Hamburg. Benjamin Sesko has been linked with a move to Arsenal, and Xavi Simons could reportedly leave if Leipzig can generate at least 70 million euros ($82 million) for the Dutchman. Schäfer said Leipzig want to reduce a squad of more than 30 players to ideally 25 or 26, and that they will have to generate transfer income in order to sign new players. 'Everybody knows exactly where they stand,' Schäfer said. 'Of course we don't want to keep the squad the way it is.'
