In King v. McMillan, the Fourth Circuit affirmed a jury verdict and the court’s rulings in a sexual harassment case.  The plaintiff, a former deputy in a sheriff’s office, had been sexually harassed by the sheriff over several years.   A jury awarded her compensatory and punitive damages on her claims of battery and sexual harassment under Title VII.  The Court upheld the awards, the substitution of the correct defendant, and the admission of testimony of other female employees who had been sexually harassed by the same sheriff.

Categories: Judicial Decisions Tags: Battery, Case Commentary, Discrimination, Fourth Circuit, Labor and Employment, Punitive Damages, Sexual Harassment, Title VII

In Brown v. Nucor Corporation, the 4th Circuit reversed the district court on the question of class certification.  Under Title VII, the plaintiffs had brought racial discrimination claims of disparate treatment and disparate impact with regard to promotion practices, as well as hostile work environment claims.  The majority concluded that the plaintiffs could proceed with all of these claims as a class action becuase the requirements of Rule 23 had been met.

Categories: Judicial Decisions Tags: Case Commentary, Class Action, Discrimination, Fourth Circuit, Labor and Employment, Title VII

In EEOC v. Central Wholesalers, Inc., the 4th Circuit reversed the district court’s grant of summary judgment to the employer.  The court concluded that there was enough evidence for a jury to find that the plaintiff suffered from severe racial and sexual harassment in the workplace.

Categories: Judicial Decisions Tags: Case Commentary, Discrimination, Fourth Circuit, Labor and Employment, Title VII