The courts have grown to treat and understand issues relating to gender discrimination in a certain way over a period of decades. Specific landmark cases that the U.S. Supreme Court has tried and decided have shaped gender discrimination law into what it is today.
Here are some of the most important Supreme Court cases on gender discrimination dating back to 1974:
Cleveland Bd. of Ed. v. LaFleur (1974): The Supreme Court ruled, in 1975, against the Ohio public school system, which instituted mandatory maternity leave rules that applied to pregnant women. This was a violation of the constitutional right to due process.
Meritor Savings Bank v. Vinson: According to the Court, in 1986, a hostile environment sexual harassment claim can be viewed as sex discrimination by way of Title VII of the Civil rights Act of 1964.
Johnson v. Transportation Agency: The Court ruled, in 1987, that a county employer used a woman's sex to deny her an advancement.
Franklin v. Gwinnett County Public Schools: The Court ruled, in 1992, that cases involving Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 could result in monetary damages.
J.E.B. v. Alabama ex rel T.B.: The Court decided, in 1994, that prosecutors cannot dismiss or challenge members of a jury panel due to their sexes.
United States v. Virginia: The Court ruled in 1994. that separate but equal military training was a violation of the Equal Protection Clause.
Faragher v. City of Boca Raton: The Court ruled in 1998 that employers could be liable for instances of sexual discrimination caused by their managers.
Oncale v. Sundowner Offshore Serv., Inc.: The Court ruled in 1998 that sex discrimination consisting of same-sex sexual harassment could be viewed as a Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 violation.
Davis v. Monroe County Board of Education: In 1999, the Court decided that student-against-student sexual harassment was a compensable violation and that the school board may be liable in such cases.
Where you the victim of on-the-job sexual harassment or sex discrimination?
If you have suffered damages as a result of on-the-job sex discrimination or sexual harassment, the above Supreme Court rulings could help support your ability to seek justice and restitution. Make sure you understand the facts surrounding your case and how they fit into the current legal climate before you settle on a strategy to employ in your potential lawsuit.