Opinion ID: 1255492
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Statute and Analytic Framework

Text: Alaska Statute 18.80.220(a)(1) states, It is unlawful for an employer to refuse employment to a person, or to bar a person from employment, or to discriminate against a person in compensation or in a term, condition, or privilege of employment because of the person's race, religion, color, or national origin.... In applying AS 18.80.220(a)(1), this court has expressly adopted the three-part analytic framework used by federal courts in Title VII cases. Alaska State Comm'n for Human Rights v. Yellow Cab, 611 P.2d 487, 488 n. 1, 490 (Alaska 1980). First, the employee carr[ies] the initial burden under the statute of establishing a prima facie case of racial discrimination. McDonnell Douglas Corp. v. Green, 411 U.S. 792, 802, 93 S.Ct. 1817, 1824, 36 L.Ed.2d 668 (1973). The burden then shifts to the employer to articulate some legitimate, nondiscriminatory reason why the employee was discharged. Id. Finally, the burden shifts back to the employee to show that [the employer's] stated reason for [discharging the employee] was in fact pretext. Id. at 804, 93 S.Ct. at 1825.