Answer:
As to your question about two weeks' pay, I believe you're asking a question to be answered only by state law. I don't believe an employer is legally obligated to pay for time not working in this case, but state law (or the employer's written policies) may override that.
As to the question about disparate treatment based on race, I believe the employer would be indulging in some very risky behavior. Although I cannot cite chapter and verse, this practice, if true, would certainly be illegal.
First published on BankersOnline.com 11/15/04