Topic
Every decision we've filed under Civil Rights - Employment.
The Eleventh Circuit vacated a district court order that overturned a jury verdict finding an employer liable for retaliation under 42 U.S.C. § 1981. The appellate court held that the district court erred by failing to view the evidence in the light most favorable to the non-moving party when assessing whether the employee's resignation was voluntary.
The Tenth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of an employee's retaliation claims after he was fired for missing shifts following a COVID-19 diagnosis. The court held that the employer did not violate Colorado law by enforcing its attendance policy when the employee failed to provide required notice of his absence.
The Fifth Circuit reversed a district court's dismissal of a pro se plaintiff's Title VII racial discrimination lawsuit, holding that his complaint adequately alleged hostile work environment and retaliation claims. The court emphasized that pro se pleadings must be liberally construed and need not meet the strict standards of formal legal drafting to survive a motion to dismiss.
The Eleventh Circuit affirmed summary judgment for Miami-Dade County in a police officer's employment discrimination and retaliation case. The court held that the officer failed to prove pretext or construct a convincing mosaic of circumstantial evidence sufficient to survive summary judgment.
The Tenth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of an employee's retaliation claims, holding that an employer did not violate Colorado law by terminating an employee who missed work after being cleared to return. The court found the termination was based on the employee's failure to follow notification procedures rather than his prior illness.
The Fourth Circuit affirmed a district court's reduced award of attorney's fees in a Title VII employment retaliation case, holding that the trial court did not abuse its discretion. The appellate court emphasized that determining reasonable fees requires substantial deference to the trial judge's intimate knowledge of the case.
The Fifth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a couple's Section 1983 claims alleging false and retaliatory arrest, ruling that police officers had probable cause for both incidents. The court held that the plaintiffs failed to overcome the qualified immunity defense because the officers' actions did not violate clearly established law.
The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the denial of qualified immunity to school officials who allegedly refused to implement a settlement agreement due to racial animus. The court held that officials were on notice that interfering with a contract because of race was illegal, regardless of uncertainty regarding personal liability under 42 U.S.C. § 1981.
The Fourth Circuit affirmed the district court's dismissal of an Equal Pay Act claim, limiting its review strictly to arguments raised in the appellant's informal brief. The court found no reversible error in the lower court's ruling and dispensed with oral argument.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit affirmed a district court dismissal of employment discrimination claims. The appellate court found no reversible error in the lower court's ruling that the plaintiff failed to state a claim.