Opinion ID: 398814
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Utilization Evidence

Text: 37 The district judge held that the appellant's utilization statistics, fully described in his findings, see 499 F.Supp. at 459, established a prima facie case of employment discrimination, see id. He went on to conclude, however, that Prudential's  'more refined, accurate and valid statistics,'  id., reflecting a gradual but steady increase in the percentage of black employees in all levels of Prudential's work force, was inconsistent with any policy of discrimination during the time period relevant to this lawsuit, id. at 460. 38 In this appeal, Prudential argues that the appellant's utilization statistics did not make out a prima facie case of employment discrimination. We see, however, no reason to decide this question for, whether or not a prima facie case was established, and no matter what burden, if any, shifted to Prudential, it is abundantly clear, considering the evidence that the number and percentage of black employees steadily increased in all levels of Prudential's work force, see id. at 459-61, that on the ultimate issue-whether Prudential had discriminated against its black employees-the district judge was justified in concluding as he did. 13 See Movement for Opportunity and Equality v. General Motors Corp., 622 F.2d 1235, 1245 (7th Cir. 1980). Likewise, any claim of the appellant that his utilization evidence mandated a finding of discrimination is without merit.