The impact of recent employment-discrimination decisions: A guide for the small business owner

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to inform small business owners about recent Supreme Court rulings interpreting Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.

Design/methodology/approach

A review of recent Supreme Court rulings.

Findings

Recent Supreme Court rulings have increased the plaintiff’s burden of proof in employment-discrimination cases in the USA.

Practical implications

Assuming that Congress does not legislatively overrule these decisions, business owners (including small business owners) should find it easier to shield themselves from employment-discrimination claims. However, this change should not be considered license to be less vigilant when it comes to preventing employment discrimination.

Originality/value

While there have been numerous reports on this law in the legal community, the primary audience for this piece is the business owner. The author’s goal is to provide a combination of background information and practical advice, making this valuable to business owners who are not versed in the law.

Citation

McMullen, A.L. (2016), "The impact of recent employment-discrimination decisions: A guide for the small business owner", Journal of Entrepreneurship and Public Policy, Vol. 5 No. 1, pp. 113-120. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEPP-03-2014-0016