Ruling widens ability to sue:Decision favors workers,defines retaliation

[Judi Lynn]

June 22, 2006, 11:13PM
SUPREME COURT
Ruling widens ability to sue
Decision favors workers, defines retaliation broadly

By L.M. SIXEL
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle

A U.S. Supreme Court ruling issued Thursday makes it easier for Texans to sue their bosses for retaliation.

Previously, workers who lived in areas of the country where courts narrowly defined the law could sue only when they were fired, demoted or had their pay cut in retaliation for filing a discrimination complaint.
(snip/...)

The Supreme Court said it took up the case because of the uneven application of the law by the appellate courts. Some define retaliation broadly, while others, like the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which has jurisdiction over Texas, interprets the law more narrowly.

"We are disappointed with the court's decision," Burlington Northern spokesman Patrick Hiatte said.

The court's decision was unexpected, said employment lawyer Tim Watson with Seyfarth Shaw in Houston. Considering how conservative the court is, he said, he thought it would have issued a decision favoring employers.
(snip/...)

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/3994702.html

[Kagemusha]

1. And in other places this narrows things down a bit?

That's what I thought I've read elsewhere. As the middle para said, uneven application.

[w4rma]

2. Good. (nt)

[Heidi]

3. Locking.

Duplicate of: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2351633