U.S. Supreme Court Decision Gives Protection to Workers Who Claim Discrimination
Tuesday, August 14, 2007 2:45 PM
A recent landmark decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in the Burlington Northern & Santa Fe Railway Co. v. White case gives workers who complain of discriminatory practices at work protection under the anti-retaliation provisions of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Until recently adequate protection was not given to workers who voiced complaints and many courts would not find an employer liable for retaliation unless the act included an “ultimate” employment decision such as termination or demotion. Now acts that could dissuade a worker from either making or supporting a charge of discrimination will be considered acts of retaliation by the courts. Compiled from: Andronici, Justine F. and Debra S. Katz, “The Right to Complain,” Ms. Magazine, 2007.