United States Sixth Circuit

The standard limiting Title VII's reach to ultimate employment decisions is rejected; a 37-day suspension without pay constitutes an adverse employment action regardless of whether the suspension is followed by a reinstatement with back pay. Because a plaintiff seeking punitive damages under Title VII must prove more than merely intentional discrimination, the case is remanded.

Appellate Information

• Argued 06/11/2003
• Decided 04/14/2004
• Published 04/14/2004

Judges

• Before:  BOGGS, Chief Judge;  MARTIN, KRUPANSKY, BATCHELDER, DAUGHTREY, MOORE, COLE, CLAY, GILMAN, GIBBONS, ROGERS, SUTTON, and COOK, Circuit Judges.

Court

• United States Sixth Circuit

Counsel

• For Appellant:
  
• Bryan P. Neal (argued and briefed), Thompson & Knight, Dallas, TX, for Appellant., Ralph T. Gibson (briefed), Bateman Gibson, Memphis, TN, for Appellant., Ann E. Reesman, Robert E. Williams (briefed), McGuiness, Norris & Williams, Washington, D.C., Jenifer M. Bosco (briefed), National Employment Lawyers Association, San Francisco, CA, Ralph E. Lamar IV (briefed), Collegeville, PA, Jennifer S. Goldstein, Equal Employoment Opportunity Commission, Washington, DC, for Amici Curiae.


• For Appellees:
  
• William B. Ryan (argued and briefed), Donati Law Firm, Memphis, TN, for Appellee., Donald A. Donati (briefed), Donati Law Firm, Memphis, TN, for Appellee.