Today's Workplace
April 29th, 2010 Ellen Simon
Court Elaborates On Types Of Evidence For Proof Of Discrimination
The recent case of Merritt v. Old Dominion Freight is hands down one of the best decisions I have come across in a long time.
It addresses gender discrimination, sex stereotyping, and a corporate culture of discrimination in a way few cases have. It’s simply a great case for employees – particularly for victims of sex discrimination.
What Happened In The Case
Merritt worked as a line haul truck drive for Old Dominion, a nationwide trucking company. As a line haul driver, Merritt made lengthy cross-country trips. She performed her duties without incident or complaint. At some point, Merritt became interested in becoming a pickup and delivery driver so she could work more regular hours and spend nights and weekends at home.
To prove that she could do the job, she filled in numerous times as a pickup and delivery driver, and once again performed the duties without incident or complaint.
When a permanent pickup and delivery position became available at Old Dominion’s Lynchburg Virginia terminal, Merritt talked to Bobby Howard, the terminal manager about it. Howard told her that he lacked the authority to fill the position and proceeded to hire a less experienced man for the job.
Full Story: http://www.todaysworkplace.org/2010/04/29/truck-driver-wins-gender-discrimination-case-in-fourth-circuit/
1 comment:
As a guy, I don't see why the bias against the female sex lives up until today when various schools of discipline had already debunked the notion that women are the weaker sex. Meritt is the very concrete advocate of how flawed that notion is. We cannot deny Freud's observations on bourgeoisie and middle-class female patients during the Victorian Era that they are weaker and inferior to men because it is their biological make-up. But that does not conclude as to the real state of women because that only pertains to the conditions of upper class ladies, and not to women as a whole.
We are already years years past that era and women have successfully acquired status the same with men. It is just negative to note that some companies render this great leap in history futile. I want to extend my commendation to the legal counsel of Meritt for supporting her expertly during the trial. It reminds me of our many a good employment lawyer Ottawa, Canada who give passion in defending employees' rights.
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