Gender Discrimination
Description
Read: Vulgar Language must be Viewed in Context… (Kimberly Passananti vs Cook County); Hishon v King & Spalding; Walmart vs Betty Dukes (3 articles); Push for Transgender Rights in the Workplace Continues to Grow
Sex (Gender) Discrimination, as defined by the EEOC, is listed at
The case of Kimberly Passananti vs Cook County is a gender discrimination case related to the use of vulgar language.
Hishon v King & Spalding is a decades-old lawsuit about gender discrimination related to a promotion at work. I included this case as it is often been cited in later Title VII legal actions.
Walmart vs Betty Dukes made the news, probably because of the large class-action suit against well-known Walmart, and is also about raises and promotions – (the fight continues even after Hishon v King & Spalding).
Push for Transgender Rights in the Workplace Continues to Grow shares the challenges and discrimination two individuals faced and the need for workplace accommodations.
Discuss all of these gender discrimination cases with a greater emphasis on the ones you are interested in:
Do you agree with the final court ruling that the use of vulgar language in Kimberly Passanti vs Cook County didn’t subject Kimberly to sexual harassment? Do you think the case might have gone differently if a woman made the vulgar comments? Is this a form of structural misogyny (a socialized hatred and oppression of women)?
Hishon v King & Spalding defines Title VII’s protection as it relates to the terms, conditions, or privileges of employment. Do you think the same outcome would happen if it were this case were tried today? Why or Why not?
With the Walmart case, do you think the court decided correctly, or do you feel Walmart’s use of supervisors in making pay and promotional decisions was discriminatory? How do you think the class-action suit influenced the outcome?
The Push for Transgender Rights in the Workplace really shines a light on this demographic. If there have been accommodations made at your workplace, what are they? If not, what changes do you feel need to be made?
Make sure to reference the articles in your response. If you would like to enhance your response, feel free to locate other articles from reputable sources through the library or online newspapers or share a personal or work-related example.
2-3 pages are required for full credit.
Greenwald, J. (2012, July 27). Vulgar language must be viewed in context in sexual harassment case: Court. Workforce.
Hishon v. King & Spaulding, No. 82-940. (11th Cir. May 22, 1984).
Betty Dukes, Patricia Surgeson, Edith Arana, Deborah Gunter and Christine Kwapnoski v. Walmart Stores, Inc., No. C 01-2252-CRB (N.D. Ca. 2012).
Pyrillis, R. (2011, June 20). Employment law landscape changes with Walmart ruling. Workforce.
Jamieson, D. (2012, June 20). Betty Dukes, Renowned Dukes v. Walmart plaintiff, takes her fight back to capitol hill. Huffington Post.
Pyrillis, R. (2011, August 15). Push for transgender rights in the workplace continues to grow. Workforce.
