A woman claimed pregnancy discrimination against a company with fewer than 15 employees as well as a larger company. She claimed that they were joint employers. Although the companies maintained separate bank accounts, management, payroll and tax filings they could be held liable as joint employers because they shared a human resources department.
America West Airlines told employees in a handbook that they could take 12 weeks within any 12 month period. The Airline argued it was a rolling 12 month period. An employee needed a 12 month calendar period. The Ninth Circuit ruled that the handbook was not clear, so whatever method of calculating the 12 month period that helps the employee will be used.
An African American factory worker employed more than 26 years alleged self-defense when fighting with a white co-worker. The Fourth Circuit found no discrimination since both workers were fired for violating the employer’s anti-violence policy.