Law.com Subscribers SAVE 30%

Call 855-808-4530 or email [email protected] to receive your discount on a new subscription.

KickerFeaturesSectionsNewsLJN NewslettersEmployment Law Strategist

Does Constructive Discharge Bar an Employer's Defense?

By Albert J. Solecki, Jr. and Lori A. Mazur
February 09, 2004

In last month's Employment Law Strategist, we explored the background to a growing conflict among the circuit courts regarding the availability of the so-called Ellerth/Faragher affirmative defense in constructive discharge cases. We began with an analysis of Suders v. Easton, 325 F.3d 432 (3d Cir. 2003), in which the Third Circuit held that holding an employer strictly liable for a constructive discharge resulting from the actionable harassment of its supervisors more faithfully adheres to the policy objectives set forth in Ellerth and Faragher. Granting certiorari to consider the Third Circuit's ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court has now undertaken to resolve the discord among the circuits.

Conflict Among the Courts of Appeals

The Ellerth/Faragher defense allows an employer to avoid liability for unlawful harassment where the employer has an effective anti-harassment policy in place, but despite that, a harassed employee who knows about the policy fails to take advantage of it. However, the defense depends on the absence of a “tangible employment action.” Where an employee is terminated, for instance — thus giving an employee a chance to complain of an adverse “tangible employment action” rather than of a hostile work environment — an employer cannot take advantage of the defense and can be held strictly liable for the acts of its employees.

This premium content is locked for Entertainment Law & Finance subscribers only

  • Stay current on the latest information, rulings, regulations, and trends
  • Includes practical, must-have information on copyrights, royalties, AI, and more
  • Tap into expert guidance from top entertainment lawyers and experts

For enterprise-wide or corporate acess, please contact Customer Service at [email protected] or 877-256-2473

Read These Next
Yachts, Jets, Horses & Hooch: Specialized Commercial Leasing Models Image

Defining commercial real estate asset class is essentially a property explaining how it identifies — not necessarily what its original intention was or what others think it ought to be. This article discusses, from a general issue-spot and contextual analysis perspective, how lawyers ought to think about specialized leasing formats and the regulatory backdrops that may inform what the documentation needs to contain for compliance purposes.

Hyperlinked Documents: The Latest e-Discovery Challenge Image

As courts and discovery experts debate whether hyperlinked content should be treated the same as traditional attachments, legal practitioners are grappling with the technical and legal complexities of collecting, analyzing and reviewing these documents in real-world cases.

Identifying Your Practice's Differentiator Image

How to Convey Your Merits In a Way That Earns Trust, Clients and Distinctions Just as no two individuals have the exact same face, no two lawyers practice in their respective fields or serve clients in the exact same way. Think of this as a "Unique Value Proposition." Internal consideration about what you uniquely bring to your clients, colleagues, firm and industry can provide untold benefits for your law practice.

Risks and Ad Fraud Protection In Digital Advertising Image

The ever-evolving digital marketing landscape, coupled with the industry-wide adoption of programmatic advertising, poses a significant threat to the effectiveness and integrity of digital advertising campaigns. This article explores various risks to digital advertising from pixel stuffing and ad stacking to domain spoofing and bots. It will also explore what should be done to ensure ad fraud protection and improve effectiveness.

Turning Business Development Plans Into Reality Image

This article offers practical insights and best practices to navigate the path from roadmap to rainmaking, ensuring your business development efforts are not just sporadic bursts of activity, but an integrated part of your daily success.