Legal Document

536 U.S. 101 NATIONAL RAILROAD PASSENGER CORPORATIONv.MORGAN. No. 00-1614. Supreme Court of the United States. Argued January 9, 2002. Decided June 10, CERTIORARI TO THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR NINTH CIRCUIT Under Title VII Civil Rights Act 1964, a plaintiff "shall" file an employment discrimination charge with Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) either 180 or 300 days after "alleged unlawful practice occurred." 42 U. S. C. § 2000e-5(e)(1). Respondent Morgan, black male, filed and retaliation EEOC against petitioner National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak), cross-filed California Department Fair Housing. He alleged that he had been subjected to discrete discriminatory retaliatory acts experienced racially hostile work environment throughout his employment. The issued "Notice Right Sue," Morgan this lawsuit. While some allegedly occurred within time charge, many took place prior period. District granted Amtrak summary judgment in part, holding company could not be liable for conduct occurring outside 300-day filing Ninth Circuit reversed, may sue on claims would ordinarily barred so long as they are "sufficiently related" incidents fall statutory period part systematic policy place, at least Held: A raising must appropriate 180- period, but alleging will if all constituting claim same one act falls period; neither instance is court precluded from applying equitable doctrines toll limit Pp. 108-122. (a) Strict adherence VII's timely requirements best guarantee evenhanded administration law. Mohasco Corp. v. Silver, 447 807, 826. In State having entity authorized grant seek relief respect practice, employee who initially files grievance agency practice; other States, days. operative terms 2000e-5(e)(1), provision, "shall," "after ... occurred," "unlawful practice." "[S]hall" makes specified mandatory. "[O]ccurred" means happened past. requirement, therefore, "after" "occurred" litigant has up EEOC. critical questions both are: What constitutes practice" when "occurred"? answer varies practice. 108-110. (b) party date lose ability recover it. asserts term "practice" provides basis Circuit's continuing violation doctrine because it connotes ongoing can endure recur over time. This argument unavailing, however, given 2000e-2 explains great detail sorts actions qualify "[u]nlawful practices," including among them numerous acts, without indicating any way converts related into single purposes. And repeatedly interpreted apply "occurence," even where connection acts. Several principles derived Electrical Workers Robbins & Myers, Inc., 429 229, 234-235; Air Lines, Inc. Evans, 431 553, 558; Delaware College Ricks, 449 250, 257. First, actionable barred, charges. Because each starts new clock charges act, occurred. existence past employee's knowledge their occurrence, does bar employees about independently addressing those themselves filed. Nor statute using background evidence support claim. addition, remains subject application such waiver, estoppel, tolling. See Zipes Trans World Airlines, 455 385, 393. suffered was hired through fired, only applicable actionable. All untimely no longer 110-115. (c) Hostile different kind very nature involves repeated conduct, practice," cannot said occur particular day. It occurs series perhaps years and, direct contrast harassment its own. Harris Forklift Systems, 510 17, 21. Determining whether exists requires examination circumstances, frequency conduct; severity; physically threatening humiliating, mere offensive utterance; unreasonably interferes performance. Id., 23. question may, purposes determining liability, review turns requirement certain number composed separate collectively constitute matter component Provided contributing entire considered liability. That need last act. Subsequent events still claim, later encompass whole. Therefore, court's task determine which complains so, To presented managers made racial jokes, performed derogatory used various epithets. Although these 115-121. (d) Court's leave employers defenseless delays charge. tolling equity requires, Zipes, supra, 398, employer raise laches defense result harms defendant, see, e. g., Albemarle Paper Co. Moody, 422 405, 424-425. 121-122. 232 F. 3d 1008, affirmed reversed remanded. THOMAS, J., delivered opinion Court, STEVENS, SOUTER, GINSBURG, BREYER, JJ., joined, REHNQUIST, O'CONNOR, SCALIA, KENNEDY, joined Part II-A. concurring dissenting SCALIA I, post, p. 123. Roy T. Englert, Jr., argued cause petitioner. With him briefs Melissa B. Rogers. Pamela Y. Price respondent. her brief were Howard J. Moore, William McNeill III. Austin Schlick States amicus curiae urging reversal. Solicitor General Olson, Acting Assistant Attorney Schiffer, Deputy Clement, Marleigh D. Dover, John Hoyle.* JUSTICE THOMAS Court. 1 Abner sued (Amtrak) under 78 Stat. 253, amended, 2000e et seq., Section 2000e-5(e)(1) We consider whether, what suit 2 Appeals held limitations reverse affirm part. hold precludes recovery also consideration scope behavior permissible assessing takes doctrines, 3 * On February 27, 1995, during worked "consistently harassed disciplined more harshly than account race."1 App. Pet. Cert. 25a. Sue" July 3, 1996, lawsuit October 2, 1996. complained EEOC, motion, arguing, things, entitled before Morgan's Amtrak, May 1994, fell employed test established by Seventh Galloway Motors Service Parts Operations, 1164 (1996): "plaintiff base [the] unless have unreasonable expect ran case constitute, recognized, light later, limitations." 1167. "[b]ecause believed being discriminated occurred, should ran." 40a.2 4 appealed. relying previous articulation doctrine, "allows courts `as represent practice.'" 1014 (2000) (quoting Anderson Reno, 190 930, 936 (CA9 1999)). Contrary test, similar Fifth Circuit,3 precedent "precludes notice limitation doctrine." 3d, 1015. 5 view, establish allows two ways. show "a period." Ibid. Such "serial indicates sufficiently incidents, "cannot isolated, sporadic, discrete." Second, shows operated, — systemic violation." 1015-1016. 6 survive "raise genuine issue disputed fact (1) serial systemic," (2) continuation 1016. three types claims, namely, discrimination, environment, retaliation, allegations category separately found prelimitations postlimitations invoke three. "[i]n relatedness [the found] ha[d] existed." 1017. allowed "presented jury merely information, liability," id., 1017-1018, remanded trial. 7 certiorari, 533 927 (2001), now II 8 Courts taken approaches set forth 2000e-5(e) VII. 107, n. 3. lower offered reasonable, albeit divergent, solutions, none compelled text statute. context request alter VII, stated "strict procedural legislature law." 826 (1980). Mohasco, rejected arguments strict restriction4 "unfair" less literal reading adequately effectuate deferring state agencies." 824-825. Instead, noted "[b]y choosing obviously quite short deadlines, Congress clearly intended encourage prompt processing discrimination." 825. Similarly here, our most salient source guidance text. 9 provision "specifies precision" prerequisites satisfy suit. Alexander Gardner-Denver Co., 415 36, 47 (1974). An individual serve upon person whom made. authority limits. 10 For purposes, sentence is: "A section shall hundred eighty (emphasis added). See, Lexecon Milberg Weiss Bershad Hynes Lerach, 523 26, 35 (1998) ("[T]he mandatory `shall,' normally creates obligation impervious judicial discretion"). past.5 tells us 11 questions, then, Our claims. 12 take easier first. day "happened." party, 13 argues require language "Practice," contends, Brief 25-26. therefore doctrine.6 practices" includes practices 2000e-2(a) ("It fail refuse hire discharge individual, otherwise discriminate compensation, terms, conditions, privileges employment, individual's race, color, religion, sex, national origin ..."). There simply indication filing. Cf. 2000e-6(a) (providing bring civil action "pattern cases). 14 "occurrence," example, 234 (1976), asserted complaint "the occurred" conclusion arbitration procedure, rather earlier discharge. discharge, contended, "tentative" "nonfinal" until procedure ended. Not concluded, parties understood termination final. 234-235. Similarly, Bazemore Friday, 478 385 (1986) (per curiam), pattern-or-practice case, considering salary structure, although began "[e]ach week's paycheck deliver[ed] similarly situated white wrong ...." 395. 15 do make 553 (1977), forced Evans resign she married female flight attendants. failed following initial separation, nonetheless claimed guilty present, seniority system give credit service once rehired. disagreed, concluding "United treat [Evans' resignation] lawful [she] the" then 558. At time, "[i]t relevant proceeding status current issue." emphasis, "should placed continuity" "whether present exist[ed]." original). 16 250 (1980), evaluated timeliness professor denied academic tenure origin. Following decision deny tenure, "`terminal'" contract teach additional year. 253. Claiming, effect, "`continuing violation,'" did begin run actual termination. argument: "Mere continuity more, insufficient prolong life order commence "he identified continued until, of, employment." use pull time-barred justify concerning discriminatory. 17 derive several cases. Each 18 As we held, estoppel. 393 (1982) ("We jurisdictional prerequisite federal court, that, like limitations, tolling"). evaluate proper applied sparingly. Baldwin County Welcome Center Brown, 466 147, 152 (1984) curiam) ("Procedural gaining access disregarded out vague sympathy litigants"). 19 violations termed violations," plausibly holding, reverse. 20 Discrete termination, failure promote, denial transfer, refusal easy identify. incident adverse cover period.7 March first agency, During contends wrongfully suspended charged Amtrak's "Rule L" insubordination while failing complete assigned him, training, falsely accused manager.8 1013. actionable.9 B 21 Their conduct. Lindemann P. Grossman, Discrimination Law 348-349 (3d ed. 1996) (hereinafter Lindemann) ("The intensity management knew known existence"). (1993) ("As pointed Meritor [Savings Bank, FSB Vinson, 477 57, 67 (1986),] `mere utterance epithet engenders feelings a[n] employee,' ibid. (internal quotation marks omitted) affect conditions implicate VII"). based cumulative effect 22 "We clear [Title VII] mentions specific decisions immediate consequences, prohibition `is limited "economic" "tangible" discrimination,' Harris, [510 S., 21] Savings [477 S.,] 64), covers `terms' `conditions' narrow contractual sense." Faragher Boca Raton, 524 775, 786 Oncale Sundowner Offshore Services, 75, (1998)). "[t]he phrase `terms, employment' [of 2000e-2(a)(1)] evinces congressional intent `to strike spectrum disparate treatment men women' requiring people discriminatorily abusive environment." (some internal Meritor, 64, turn quoting Los Angeles Dept. Water Power Manhart, 435 702, 707, (1978)).10 "Workplace measured isolation Clark School Dist. Breeden, 532 268, 270 (2001) curiam). Thus, "[w]hen workplace permeated `discriminatory intimidation, ridicule, insult,' `sufficiently severe pervasive victim's create working environment,' violated." (citations omitted). 23 exists, look "all circumstances," performance." assess again happened. matter, statute, liability.11 24 not, engaged enough activity "occurred," occurring. events, 25 precisely encompasses hold, Circuits, whole contain "occurred." Given, timely, environment. 26 scenarios illustrate point: Acts 1-400 401. Can 100 days? contribute 1-100 401, there between 101-400. 401 liability? truth, things equal, little difference nothing intervening 301 Nor, sufficient knows happened; hand, relation 1-100, reason, employer, reference 27 liability reinforced bars recovering damages portion correctly notes dictate amount recoverable damages. provisions periods, §§ 2000e-5(b), (c), (d), function 28 Explicit elsewhere 1981a(b)(3), details compensatory punitive Likewise, 2000e-5(g)(1) backpay If seems unlikely backpay. expressly meant 29 sense assessment political subdivision relief. important remember wait 60 proceedings commenced local law terminated. 2000e-5(c). occurrence. 825-826. extended locality ensures nor dissuaded agency. 821 history identifies reason treating workers deferral differently States: agencies opportunity redress evil legislation aimed, avoid intervention demonstrated"). Surely, import limiting principle reviewable dependent lives own remedial scheme.12 30 Simply put, specifying consequence 31 concluded pre- post-limitations involve[d] type actions, relatively frequently, perpetrated managers." negative comments regarding capacity blacks supervisors, depends say claim.13 point, affirm. C 32 extend periods Employers recourse (1982), Rather, "when requires." 398. These allow honor purpose "without negating employer." 33 previously despite protections defendant enforcement might significantly handicapped making inordinate delay exhausting conciliation efforts." Occidental Life Ins. Cal. 432 355, 373 (1977). true caused employee, 424 (1975) ("[A] `entitled' improperly substantially prejudiced party"). cases, discretionary power "to locate `a just result' circumstances peculiar case." 34 addition defenses, defense, maintaining defendant. "`requires proof lack diligence asserted, prejudice asserting defense.'" Kansas Colorado, 514 673, 687 (1995) Costello 365 265, 282, (1961)). address here "how how much shown" "what consequences follow established." 1496-1500.14 observe defenses face prejudicial delay. III conclude Neither 36 foregoing reasons, Appeals' further consistent opinion. 37 ordered. CHIEF joins, KENNEDY join BREYER joins 38 I II-A agree suits fails designated dissent remainder opinion, believe restriction applies suits, 39 today holds serves form barring charge-filing acknowledges, adjusted doctrines. ante, 114, 7; see Like resolve fully discovery rule 7. believe, version discrete-act 1349 ("Although [Supreme precedents] seem simple `notice' `occurs' (so start running period), continue disagree of" original)). my had, 40 Unlike brought occurred."* draws distinction environments. assessed, awarded, 41 contrary characterization composing potentially spanning years. 117. characterization. disagree, violation, forming proved collected is, nature, general atmosphere completely reducible worker exposed treated occurrences forfeited. words, every day; daily others not. occurrence leads results contradict policies behind Consider approach, uncertain restrictions equity, 122, sleep rights decade, bringing year could, should, accordance mandate. ("A [within days] occurred"). Allowing remote raises problems statutes designed address: 43 "Statutes promote justice preventing surprises revival slumber lost, memories faded, witnesses disappeared. theory unjust put adversary defend right free stale comes prevail prosecute them." Telegraphers Railway Express Agency, 321 342, (1944). 44 statute's 2-year partially addresses concerns, 2000e-5(g)(1), assessed (such pain suffering) awarded long-past occurrences. asked challenging manner, rightly complain sort treatment. 45 correct read imposing cap But equivalent transforming cap. too far follows obvious consequence. 46 conflict allowance charge's 2000e-5(g)(1). potential adjustments sometimes available view. deceived conceal "little sense" since depending deal 119. concludes "[s]urely principle... scheme." Ante, 120. adopted lives, changes reviewed. justification variation subdivisions themselves, mechanism doing so. rationale 48 My approach contexts. When describing antitrust instance, stated: 49 "[E]ach overt injures [limitations] again, regardless plaintiff's illegality times.... commission generally permit injury old Klehr A. O. Smith Corp., 521 179, 189 (1997) 50 Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organizations (RICO), 1961 pattern racketeering activity, plaintiffs endorsed Circuits "commission separable, predicate permits independent, bootstrap injuries 190; cf. Rotella Wood, 528 549, 554, 557 (reserving RICO extension, Clayton bootstrapping context; exposure whose passed 51 would, entirety. Notes: Katherine K. Cheung, Ann Elizabeth Reesman, Stephen Bokat, Robin Conrad Advisory Council al. amici Briefs affirmance Impact Fund Ellen Lake, Brad Seligman, Jocelyn Larkin; NAACP Legal Defense Educational Fund, Robert H. Stroup, Elaine R. Jones, Theodore M. Shaw, Norman Chachkin, James L. Cott, Eric Schnapper; Lawyers' Committee Thomas Henderson, Payton, Gary Johnson, Redlich, Barbara Arnwine, Dennis Courtland Hayes, Marcia Greenberger, Judith Lichtman, Marc Stern, Paula Brantner. alleges, August 1990 electrician helper, electrician. motivated included refusing orders, participate apprenticeship program, "written counselings" absenteeism, well epithets remaining proceeded trial, returned verdict favor employs multifactor which, account: involve discrimination; recurring independent isolated events; (3) permanency trigger awareness duty challenge violation. SeeBerry Board Supervisors, 715 2d 971, 981 (1983). 2000e-5(c) prohibits practices, expiration terminated "In absence contrary, words assumed bear `ordinary, contemporary, common meaning.'"Walters Metropolitan Ed. Enterprises, 519 202, 207 Pioneer Investment Services Brunswick Associates Ltd. Partnership, 507 380, 388 citation omitted)). Webster's Third New International Dictionary 1561 defines "occur" itself: come pass: place: HAPPEN." Black's 1080 (6th 1990) (defining "[o]ccur" "[t]o happen; place; arise"). EEOC's discussion Compliance Manual, positions briefs, warrant deference underChevron Natural Resources Council, 467 837 (1984). 26-32. interpretive guidelines receive Chevron deference. Arabian American Oil 499 244, 257 (1991). interpretations "`entitled respect' Skidmore Swift 323 134, 140 (1944), extent `power persuade.'" Christensen County, 529 576, 587 (2000). "discrete acts" contemplate "Morgan occurred...." 40a. difficult run. One arise begins opposed reasonably discovered. presents occasion final led 1995. alleges manager reported threatened ordered supervisor's office. Then, union representation presence co-worker witness, supervisor both, everyone office, yelled get "black ass" refused went home. subsequently rules investigatory hearing, "pattern-or-practice" private litigants reviewed standard sexual harassment. SeeFaragher 786-787, (1998); 66-67 (1986). taking cases know recognized events. Petitioner 38. inGalloway (1996). 106. reject proposed petitioner, avenues employers. infra, concern implicated unlike depend extending judgment, merits though traditionally sovereign. note, inOccidental seemed agreement provide defendants 383 (REHNQUIST, part) ("Since suit, impossible think suing sovereign States"). operates

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