The Supreme Court, in a case with far-reaching impact, has ruled that WITNESSES, not just complainants, are protected from retaliation in Title VII harassment cases.
All but one federal circuit had previously concluded this to be the case. But when one circuit (the Sixth) ruled that only the actual plaintiff in such cases was protected, the Supremes stepped in to straighten out the conflict.
The case, entitled Crawford v. Tennessee, involved an employee, Vicki Crawford, who had supported another coworker who had complained of sexual harassment by a supervisor.
After an investigation, Crawford and two other employees who had supported the complainant were fired. When Crawford sued, both the District Court and Sixth Circuit ruled that there was no protection available for Crawford because she was not the person who actually filed the grievance.
The Supreme Court, in its brief, unanimous opinion, analyzed the anti-retaliation language in Title VII and concluded witnesses to harassment were equally protected under the Act.
To read the full opinion by Justice Souter,
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CLICK HERE.
To read an excellent amicus curie brief filed in Crawford's support,
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CLICK HERE.
