Today, the
U.S. Supreme Court is hearing arguments on whether a sex bias suit
against Wal-Mart can continue as a class action. If the class
action is allowed to proceed, it will be the largest employment lawsuit
of its kind.
Last spring, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals (which covers California) ruled 6-5 in favor of allowing Dukes v. Wal-Mart to advance as a class action, and Wal-Mart appealed.
The Supreme Court will decide only whether the case should go forward as a
class action; it will not decide the merits of the
plaintiffs’ discrimination claims. A ruling in favor of a class action could open the lawsuit to 1.5 million female workers and cost Wal-Mart billions of dollars. The Court’s decision is expected by late June. We’ll keep you posted.
Employers will want to follow this ruling closely–any decisions that open the door to increased class actions could potentially mean more liability, and more expensive lawsuits. We’ll update you as soon as there’s a decision in this case.
Employers will want to follow this ruling closely–any decisions that open the door to increased class actions could potentially mean more liability, and more expensive lawsuits. We’ll update you as soon as there’s a decision in this case.