Opinion ID: 1446239
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: James's Discrimination and Retaliation Claims

Text: James claims the defendants transferred him to the keypad position to penalize him for taking FMLA leave. Although he received the same pay and benefits in his new position, a dispute exists as to whether the transfer amounted to a demotion or reduced James's opportunities for promotion, If the transfer was a demotion or resulted in fewer promotional opportunities, it would qualify as an adverse employment action and a materially adverse action. See Goodwin v. Bd. of Trs. of the Univ. of Ill., 442 F.3d 611, 619 (7th Cir. 2006); Herrnreiter v. Chi. Housing Authority, 315 F.3d 742, 744 (7th Cir.2002). Further, the purported emails, if authentic, would be evidence of the defendants' discriminatory and retaliatory animus. James offered sufficient evidence to survive summary judgment on his discrimination and retaliation claims. On remand, the district court should determine whether the alleged emails are authentic. See Fed.R.Evid. 901; United States v. Harvey, 117 F.3d 1044, 1049 (7th Cir.1997).