Summarised by Centrist
The US Supreme Court appears poised to rule—possibly unanimously—that workplace discrimination laws apply equally to all employees, regardless of whether they belong to a minority or majority group.
In oral arguments, justices pushed back against a legal standard that makes it harder for white or heterosexual plaintiffs to bring discrimination claims.
“We’re in radical agreement today on that, it seems to me,” Justice Neil Gorsuch remarked, signalling broad consensus that the law does not impose different burdens based on race, sex, or sexual orientation.
The case involves Marlean Ames, a heterosexual woman who says she was twice passed over for promotions in favour of less-qualified gay colleagues.
Lower courts dismissed her lawsuit, citing a 1981 precedent requiring “background circumstances” proving that an employer is the rare kind that discriminates against the majority. That extra hurdle does not apply to traditional discrimination claims.
Ames’ attorneys argued that had the roles been reversed—if she were gay and the promoted employees were straight—her lawsuit would not have been thrown out so early.
“At bottom, all Ms. Ames is asking for is equal justice under law,” her lawyer Xiao Wang told the court.
Jonathan Segal, a labor law expert, said such a decision would “reinforce to the public that the law prohibits discrimination equally against majority and minority groups alike.”
With the Court expected to rule by summer, the outcome could reshape workplace discrimination law—and deliver a major blow to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) based hiring practices.
Image: Clickrbee
