The Role of Fault and Motive in Defining Discrimination: The Seniority Question Under Title VII

57 Pages Posted: 30 Oct 2010

Date Written: June 1, 1984

Abstract

Seniority systems play an important role in American industry, often governing rights to promotion, pay scales, layoff and relative entitlement to ancillary benefits. Seniority based decision-making protects employees from arbitrary employer action, yet seniority's same protective feature often may frustrate minorities' efforts to achieve actual equal employment opportunity. Relying on Title VII's section 703(h), the Supreme Court has held that seniority systems are immune from attack unless discriminatory intent is shown. In this Article, Professor Brodin reviews the evolution of the intent standard now governing seniority system challenges. He contrasts the Supreme Court's restrictive definition of intent in the seniority system context with the concept of intent found in other sections of Title VII, and in tort and criminal law. He argues that the Court's restrictive definition of intent is neither consistent with the legal system's approach to other conduct with socially injurious effects, nor facilitative of the policies represented by Title VII.

Keywords: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Racial Discrimination, Employment Discrimination, Disparate Treatment

Suggested Citation

Brodin, Mark S., The Role of Fault and Motive in Defining Discrimination: The Seniority Question Under Title VII (June 1, 1984). North Carolina Law Review, Vol. 62, No. 5, 1984, Boston College Law School Legal Studies Research Paper No. 1984-01, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1699733

Mark S. Brodin (Contact Author)

Boston College - Law School ( email )

885 Centre Street
Newton, MA 02459-1163
United States

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