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22 ¦ JUNE 22, 2020 NEWS

¦ From A GROWING on PAGE 21 this day the recognition it deserves.” Spotify’s “New
has been a longstanding practice at Mastercard,” Music Friday” will exclusively feature black artists
he said. “I’m pleased to share that minority-owned on June 19 to celebrate Juneteenth along with its
firms received a larger share of our spending last flagship playlist called Black Music Month, named
year than ever before, and we’ll continue to advocate after June being designated African American Mu-
to have diverse voices at the table.” sic Appreciation Month by President Jimmy Carter
Dana Rao, executive vice president, general coun- in 1979.
sel and corporate secretary at Adobe, echoed the The average U.S. holiday work calendar includes:
same sentiments of his company giving employees New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday,
the day off to “focus on reflection and advocacy.” Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day,
“As General Counsel, I believe we have a re- Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanks-
sponsibility to address structural inequality in our giving and Christmas. That excludes many holidays
communities and in society,” Rao wrote in a state- aligned in other cultures and religions that have fes-
ment. “The best way to begin driving change is to tivities in communities, including Diwali, Eid at the
start within our own organization, making sure that end of Ramadan, Chinese New Year, and National
all of our employees are empowered and included. Coming Out Day, for example, which may not hap-
We are committed to working closely with the Ado- pen in the workplace. The push for Juneteenth could
be Black Employee Network to continue creating mean a push toward flexible holidays as a diversity
lasting change both inside and outside of our com- and inclusion initiative.
pany.” Participating companies expressed in their mes-
Spotify AB announced its flexible public holiday sages that they hope employees enjoy the day to
arrangement for employees in late 2017. Employees participate in civic engagement, read anti-racism
at the music streaming company have the choice to and black culture books and essays, listen to music
work on Christmas, for example, and can exchange by black artists, and overall learn how to be allies for
the day for a holiday they actually celebrate as a part racial equality for everyone.
of their culture or religion. Juneteenth is recognized as a holiday in 46 states
As for Juneteenth, a Spotify representative said and the District of Columbia though this is the first
June 19 is a paid company holiday for all U.S. em- year a number of companies on a large scale are giving
ployees “to support the Black community and give employees the day off. It is not a federal holiday. ¦

Sex-Discrimination Lawsuit
Against Calhoun Dismissed

By Robert Storace
Good news for former University of Connecti- University of Saint Joseph, where former associate
cut basketball coach Jim Calhoun, who faced athletic director Jaclyn Piscitelli accused him of ha-
allegations of sex-based employment dis- rassing her, and making derogatory and insulting
crimination. comments about her.
A federal judge has dismissed the suit, finding The university was the sole defendant in the Oc-
Title IX affords no private remedy for employment tober 2019 lawsuit, but Calhoun and associate head
discrimination claims. basketball coach Glen Miller were named for their
Calhoun is now the head basketball coach at the alleged mistreatment of Piscitelli.

CONNECTICUT
Law Tribune