Supreme Court Limits Pay Discrimination Suits

On Tuesday, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on timing requirements for filing a lawsuit over alleged pay discrimination in employment. A plaintiff bringing a lawsuit under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 must file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission within 180 days after the alleged unlawful employment practice occurred. Tuesday's decision involved how to apply that 180-day deadline, and whether each paycheck issued after an allegedly discriminatory decision could be considered a discriminatory act. The Court concluded that "because the later effects of past discrimination do not restart the clock for filing an EEOC charge," Lily Ledbetter's Title VII claims against her employer (Goodyear) were time-barred.

• Read the Decision: Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.
• AP News: Court Limits Suits for Pay Bias
• Employee Rights: Discrimination and Harassment (FindLaw)