Legal Document

542 U.S. 129 PENNSYLVANIA STATE POLICEv.SUDERS. No. 03-95. Supreme Court of United States. Argued March 31, 2004. Decided June 14, In 1998, the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) hired plaintiff-respondent Suders to work as a police communications operator for McConnellsburg barracks, where her male supervisors subjected continuous barrage sexual harassment. told PSP's Equal Employment Opportunity Officer, Virginia Smith-Elliott, that she might need help, but neither woman followed up on conversation. Two months later, contacted Smith-Elliott again, this time reporting was being harassed and afraid. file complaint, did not tell how obtain necessary form. days Suders' arrested theft own computer-skills exam papers. had removed papers after concluding falsely reported repeatedly failed, when in fact, exams were never forwarded grading. then resigned from force sued PSP, alleging, inter alia, been harassment constructively discharged, violation Title VII Civil Rights Act 1964. The District granted motion summary judgment. Although recognizing testimony would permit fact trier conclude created hostile environment, court nevertheless held PSP vicariously liable supervisors' conduct. support its decision, referred Faragher v. Boca Raton, 524 U. S. 775, 808. case, Burlington Industries, Inc. Ellerth, 742, decided same day, an employer is strictly supervisor "culminates tangible employment action, such discharge, demotion, or undesirable reassignment." S., at 765. But no action taken, both decisions also hold, may raise affirmative defense liability. To prevail basis defense, must prove "(a) [it] exercised reasonable care prevent correct promptly any sexually harassing behavior," (b) employee "unreasonably failed take advantage preventive corrective opportunities provided by avoid harm otherwise." Ibid. environment claim untenable matter law, stated, because unreasonably avail herself internal antiharassment procedures. address constructive discharge claim. Third Circuit reversed remanded case trial. appeals disagreed with two key respects: First, even if could assert Ellerth/Faragher genuine issues material existed about effectiveness program claims; second, stated due environment. ruled proved, constitutes renders precludes recourse defense. Held: establish "constructive discharge," plaintiff alleging show abusive working became so intolerable resignation qualified fitting response. An unless quit response adverse officially changing status situation, e. g., humiliating extreme cut pay, transfer position which face unbearable conditions. Pp. 141-152. (a) Under doctrine, employee's decision resign unendurable conditions assimilated formal remedial purposes. inquiry objective: Did become person have felt compelled resign? This doctrine developed National Labor Relations Board 1930's, solidly established lower federal courts 1964, enacted. agrees encompasses liability discharge. 141-143. concerns one subset claims: those resulting harassment, "hostile environment," attributable supervisor. Court's starting point framework. Those delineate categories (1) "tangible action," employers be liable; (2) asserting here are: Into category hostile-environment claims fall, what proof burdens parties bear cases. Ellerth Faragher, invoked principle drawn agency law acts agent "aided accomplishing tort existence relation." 758. When engaged conduct takes against subordinate, reasoned, it beyond question aided relation. A "official act enterprise" "fall[s] within special province supervisor." Id., 762. contrast, does culminate explained, less obvious relation driving force. recognized limitation linked employer's effort install effective grievance procedures report behavior advance VII's conciliation deterrence 764. Accordingly, defeat vicarious establishing two-part That observed, accommodates "avoidable consequences" "borrows law," ibid., requiring plaintiffs reasonably stave off avoidable harm. clarify, however, defending bears burden plaintiff-employee reduce 807. 143-146. issue stems from, can regarded aggravated of, For atmosphere hostility actionable, offending sufficiently severe pervasive alter victim's create Meritor Savings Bank, FSB Vinson, 477 57, 67. entails something more: resign. genre analyzed Faragher. Essentially, presents "worse case" scenario, ratcheted breaking point. Like considered cause effected through co-worker conduct, unofficial supervisory official company acts. Unlike actual termination, always act, involve action. not, extent relationship supervisor's misconduct certain, uncertainty justifies affording chance establish, should liable. erred drawing line differently. 146-150. holding itself under Faragher: delineated cases, noted, imported into anterior whether circumstances. However, left open considerations brought home trier. Appeals specifically allocation pleading persuasion burdens, simply relied "the wisdom expertise trial judges exercise their gatekeeping authority assessing all, some, none evidence relating employers' anti-harassment programs employees' exploration alternative avenues warrants introduction trial." 325 F. 3d 432, 463. There leaving district thus unguided. Following who alleges has duty mitigate harm, defendant allege regard. 150-152. (c) correctly current posture, concerning claims, declaring described available P. 152. vacated remanded. GINSBURG, J., delivered opinion Court, REHNQUIST, C. STEVENS, O'CONNOR, SCALIA, KENNEDY, SOUTER, BREYER, JJ., joined. THOMAS, filed dissenting opinion, post, p. 1 CERTIORARI TO THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THIRD CIRCUIT. 2 John G. Knorr III, Chief Deputy Attorney General Pennsylvania, argued petitioner. With him briefs Gerald J. Pappert, Acting General, Howard Hopkirk Sarah Yerger, Attorneys General. 3 Irving L. Gornstein States amicus curiae urging reversal. brief Solicitor Olson, Assistant Acosta, Clement, Eric Dreiband, Lorraine Davis. 4 Donald A. Bailey respondent.* 5 JUSTICE GINSBURG Court. 6 Plaintiff-respondent Nancy Drew alleged supervisors, officers (PSP), severity forced presented harassment/constructive character asserted 7 like "sufficiently [their] employment." 67 (1986) (internal quotation marks omitted); see Harris Forklift Systems, Inc., 510 17, 22 (1993) ("[T]he very discriminatory employees ... gender offends broad rule workplace equality."). Beyond that, we make further showing: She defend showing installed readily accessible policy resolving complaints employer-provided apparatus. will employer, quits employer-sanctioned example, ruling today, follow path marked our 1998 775. 8 * Because judgment, recite facts, summarized Appeals, light most favorable Suders.1 barracks. Easton, 436 (CA3 2003). Sergeant D. Station Commander Patrol Corporal William Baker, B. Prendergast. three ceased only 9 Easton "would bring [the subject of] people having sex animals" each entered his office. omitted). He Prendergast, front Suders, young girls given instruction gratify men oral sex. sit down near wearing spandex shorts, spread legs apart. Apparently imitating move popularized television wrestling, Baker made obscene gesture presence grabbing genitals shouting out vulgar comment inviting 437. many five-to-ten times per night throughout once "`d[id]n't think [he] doing this'"; responded jumping chair again performing gesture, accompanying vulgarity. Further, "rub rear end remark `I nice ass, don't I?'" Prendergast "`the village idiot do job'"; black gloves, he pound furniture intimidate her. Ibid.2 10 accused taking missing accident 438. After incident, approached "might some help." gave telephone number, On August 18, stating Smith-Elliott's manner conveyed appeared insensitive unhelpful. 11 theft, arrest occurred following several taken satisfy job requirement. 438-439. Each time, failed. 439. day came upon set drawers women's locker room. concluded tests grading reports failures false. Regarding property, them Ibid.; App. 11, 119-120. Upon finding removed, devised plan theft. 3d, dusted drawer stored theft-detection powder turns hands blue touched. As anticipated attempted return drawer, whereupon turned telltale blue. apprehended handcuffed her, photographed hands, commenced previously prepared written resignation, tendered soon detained Nevertheless, initially refused release Instead, they interrogation room, warnings Miranda Arizona, 384 (1966), continued reiterated wanted resign, let leave. charges 12 September 2000, Federal 78 Stat. 253, 42 § 2000e et seq. 1, 12-13.3 At close discovery, testimony, recognized, sufficed Pet. Cert. 76a. 80a. 13 concluding, See 77a-78a. along distinguished between unaccompanied attended "a action." 765; accord Both hold liability, preponderance evidence: "The comprises elements: behavior, 14 harassment." Resigning just first mentioned anything Officer "never PSP] opportunity respond [her] complaints." claim.4 15 disposition merits. 462. agreed sufficient "pattern regular." 442. fundamental respects. assuming "program claims." 443. Second, failing recognize Ibid.5 16 VII, establish: 17 "(1) suffered discrimination . .; reaction situation—that is, resign—was totality ." 445. 18 Viewing complaint context, determined raised 446. 19 challenged here: It 447. announced decisions. Courts Second Sixth Circuits otherwise. supervisor-created held, qualify therefore stop invoking 452-453 (citing Caridad Metro-North Commuter R. Co., 191 283, 294 (CA2 1999), Turner Dowbrands, 99-3984, 2000 WL 924599, *1 (CA6, 26, 2000) (unpublished)). Circuit, reasoned "`constitutes significant change status' ending employer-employee relationship" "also inflicts type `direct economic harm'" actions offered way example (discharge, reassignment). 460 (quoting 761, 762). Satisfied "raised "precluded advanced judgment," 461. 20 certiorari, 540 1046 (2003), resolve disagreement among ranks assertion articulated Compare 461 (constructive qualifies action); Jaros LodgeNet Entertainment Corp., 960, 966 (CA8 2002) (same), Caridad, Turner, Reed MBNA Marketing 333 27, 33 (CA1 2003) act); Robinson Sappington, 351 317, 336 (CA7 (same). We precipitates discharge; absent whose are charged vacate Circuit's judgment remand proceedings. II 21 Lindemann & Grossman, Discrimination Law 838-839 (3d ed. 1996) (hereinafter Grossman). Weirich al., 2002 Cumulative Supplement Grossman 651-652, n. (collecting cases) Weirich). concept originated labor-law field 1930's; (NLRB) situations coerced often creating conditions, retaliation engagement collective activities. Lieb, Constructive Discharge Section 8(a)(3) Act: Study Undue Concern Over Motives, Indus. Rel. 143, 146-148 (1985); re Sterling Corset N. 858, 865 (1938) (first use term discharg[e]"). next decades, sustained NLRB rulings. See, East Texas Motor Freight Lines, 140 2d 404, 405 (CA5 1944) supervisor-caused unfair labor practice); Saxe-Glassman Shoe 201 238, 243 1953) allow backpay award discharge). By year enacted, courts. Comment, That's It, I Quit: Returning First Principles Doctrine, 23 Berkeley Emp. Lab. 401, 410 (2002). wide range Robinson, 336-337 (sexual harassment); Moore KUKA Welding Systems Robot 171 1073, 1080 (CA6 1999) (race); Bergstrom-Ek Best Oil 153 851, 858-859 1998) (pregnancy); Amirmokri Baltimore Gas Elec. 60 1126, 1132-1133 (CA4 1995) (national origin); Derr Gulf 796 340, 343 (CA10 1986) (sex); Young Southwestern Sav. Loan Assn., 509 140, 143-144 1975) (religion). Goss Exxon Office 747 885, 887 1984) ("[A]pplication cases received apparently universal recognition addressed issue."); Larson, 59.05[8] (2003) cases). And Commission (EEOC), implementing stated: "is responsible outright charging party." EEOC Compliance Manual 612.9(a) 24 occasion earlier lies Sure-Tan, NLRB, 467 883, 894 (1984) (NLRB find practice "when, purpose discouraging union activity, employer] creates option resign—a so-called `constructive discharge.'"). Furthermore, "Title violated either explicit alterations terms 752. 64 ("The phrase `terms, privileges employment' [in VII] evinces congressional intent strike entire spectrum disparate treatment women (some omitted)). agree B 25 Our framework govern supervisors.6 supra, 137-138, liable, 808, place absence background above mind, turn stake: fall—and 26 plaintiffs-employees sought though "suffer[ed] adverse, consequences." 747. Setting decisions, noted definition "employer" includes "agent[s]," 2000e(b). 754. viewed direction "interpret based principles." Restatement (Second) Agency (1957) Restatement), states (in black-letter formulation) "`was relation.'" 758 219(2)(d)); 801. 27 identified class where, question, more than mere aids commission harassment: subordinate." 760. "constitutes status, hiring, firing, promote, reassignment significantly different responsibilities, causing benefits." 761. injuries equally inflicted co-worker, "fall supervisor," "has empowered [an] affecting other control." elaborated, essential character, "an enterprise, act." means brings power enterprise subordinates." Often, "use company's] processes" thereby "obtain imprimatur enterprise." Ordinarily, documented records, review higher level supervisors." sum, "when subordinate[,] implausible interpret principles escape liability." 762-763. 28 subordinate "less obvious" 763. acknowledged "power invests particular threatening sense, "there commit coemployee commit, there circumstances [would] mak[e] little difference." 29 "aided-by-the-agency-relation" standard, suggested, insufficiently press service standard governing picture. Looking elsewhere guidance, focused design "to encourage creation policies mechanisms." tying Congress' promote rather litigation" controversies. linkage measures serve deterrent "encourag[ing] before becomes pervasive." establishing, 30 clarified parties' respective consequences doctrine," 764, victims `to minimize damages' result violations statute," 806 Ford Co. EEOC, 458 219, 231, (1982)). squarely 807; cf. McCormick, Damages 130 (1935) (defendant persuading factfinder "plaintiff reduced loss avoided injurious consequences").7 31 reiterate, 133-134, "must environment." Meritor, brackets advances compound Breeding Arthur Gallagher 164 1151, 1160 ("[A]lthough jury facts [for be] quit."); Perry Chernin, 126 1010, 1015 1997) ("[U]nless `ordinary' discrimination, complaining expected remain while seeking redress.").8 32 Faragher.9 pathmarking company, be. involves leave precipitating conduct: former action; latter, without assertion, Brief Amicus Curiae 24. sure, functionally termination damages-enhancing 147, 8. "en[d] relationship," "inflic[t] direct harm." underlie analysis, calls extension employer. leading indicate, directions declarations likely over greatest control. Absent enterprise," last straw, ordinarily reason suspect typical kind daily occurring out, reflected records—a demotion reduction compensation, example—shows "beyond question" used managerial controlling disadvantage. relation, recounted, 145, certain. uncertainty, precedent establishes, 145-146, 34 drew formulation, eliminated all retained, require, "ordinary" i. e., involving placement line, anomalously, graver easier lesser included component, Moreover, matters complex, indeed, confusing jurors. Creation predicate case. Juries informed. jury, presumably, cautioned consider affirmative-defense reaching claim, ignore least downplay deciding closely associated makes scant sense decisive instructions variation Cf. 801 (affirming virtue categorical clarity"). 35 note, finally, recent indicate act" (or action") criterion play alleged. untangled approach approve opinion. 2003), claimed repeated comments incident assaulted wrongdoing preclude explained Reed, involved actions. Unlike, "e. extremely dangerous assignment retaliate spurned advances," 33, "was exceedingly authority"; "exactly wholly unauthorized designed," ibid. 317 complained judge whom worked, presiding another judge, "her six new post] probably `hell,'" "`best interest resign.'" 324. Seventh precluded plaintiff's "resulted, part, judge's] actio[n] transferring" resisted placing staff. 337. properly divided universe supervisor-harassment according mark follow. 36 summation, meaning Faragher." delineated, said, circumstances." 462.10 expressed thinking: 37 "[I]t relevant scheme place, investigate, otherwise address, complaints, took alternatives programs." 38 These considerations, "are, course, 39 burdens. 40 146. elect mitigation present chief, anticipation legal 41 claims.11 proceedings consistent 43 ordered. Notes: Briefs ofamici reversal Chamber Commerce Peter Buscemi, Harry Rissetto, Stephen Bokat, Robin Conrad; Advisory Council Ann Elizabeth Reesman Katherine Y. K. Cheung; Society Human Resource Management Allan H. Weitzman, Mindes, Edward Cerasia II, Lawrence Z. Lorber, Paul Salvatore. amici affirmance American Federation Congress Industrial Organizations Jonathan Hiatt, James Coppess, Laurence Gold; Lawyers' Committee al. Barbara Arnwine, Thomas Henderson, Michael Foreman, Crawford, Audrey Wiggins, Susan Grover, Patricia Roberts, Daniel Kohrman, Laurie McCann, Osborne, Melvin Radowitz, Steven Shapiro, Lenora M. Lapidus, Shiu, Claudia Center, Dennis Hayes, Vincent Eng, Judith Lichtman, Jocelyn Frye, Dina Lassow, Jennifer Brown. "vigorously dispute[s]" truth allegations, contending incidents describes happened all," "others context quite suggested [Suders]." Petitioner 4, addition, derogatory remarks age,e. "`a 25-year-old catch faster'" could, 436, calling "`momma,'" id., They political influence. age political-affiliation us. here, including Age 1967 (ADEA), 81 602, 621et seq., (PHRA), Pa. Ann., Tit. 43, 951 (Purdon 1991). 7. individual capacities ADEA, PHRA. 70a-73a. disposed favor. observing engage protected activity,e. prior resignation. 80a-81a. dismissed ADEA PHRA sovereign immunity grounds, 72a-73a, defendants ground statutes provide 70a-72a. defendants' assertions immunity. 73a-74a. appeal. Appellant 01-3512 (CA3), 2; Appellees 01-3512, 4. expressly mention found "[t]he allegations apparent Suders's [pleading]." 443; seeibid. ("In paragraph, `forced suffer yield suggestions [and] innuendoes. .'" Introductory Statement reprinted 6)). view Nor we. best know offers operate. Wigmore, Evidence 2486, 290 (J. Chadbourn rev. 1981) proving said put party presumably peculiar knowledge enabling falsity false." (emphasis deleted)) seesupra, 141, prevailing entitled damages recover postresignation damages, and, circumstances, frontpay, 838; 651, well compensatory punitive now generally, 1981a(a)(1); Pollard E. I. du Pont de Nemours 532 843, 848 (2001) (noting expanded remedies theEllerth posts; 748-749 (1998); 783 (1998). Ellerth's decision's omission examples conspicuous. 761; ("[T]his discussion widely purposeful one."). Tellingly, "ha[d] despite 766. similar expressions, see,e. 965 (though facing "did give [grievance]" rebutting contention resignation); Marrero Goya Puerto Rico, 304 7, ("the account any" intolerable); Hartman Sterling, Civ. 01-CV-2630, 2003 22358548, *13 (ED Pa., Sept. 10, "it relevant," dispositive, complained); Amici (affirmative unnecessary overlap elements Faragher/Ellerth [affirmative] defense"). events surrounding exams, 136, obviously unofficial. 44 dissenting. 45 explains, resigning involvement ante, 141-142. specific focus, requires impose "cause, [are] intended cause, difficult unpleasant shown imposed activities." Crystal Princeton Refining 222 1068, 1069 (1976). 46 requirements. Muller Steel 923, 929 (requiring deliberately render[ed] force[d] job"). yet successful typically Muller, supra (denial promotion); 344 (demotion). If, order forcing quit, attach 47 adopted resemble holds "`constructive discharge,'" "show employee's] response." Ante, 134. rule, possible majority declined foreseeability Brooks San Mateo, 229 917, 930 (CA9 ("[C]onstructive occurs deteriorate, extraordinary egregious overcome normal motivation competent, diligent, earn livelihood employer" 48 Thus, currently conceived, "constructive" require "company ac[t] performed employer," 768 (1998) (THOMAS, dissenting) (i.e., action), nor undertaken these longer equivalent points akin plus" framework, proper determining supra. "An if, proves negligent permitting occur." 767. If directly results 768. But, negligent. respondent adduced sex, proffered petitioner knew known reverse Appeals.

Classification Label: 1