Same-sex discrimination cases pose added challenges

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Abstract: Even under the most clear-cut circumstances, dealing with sexual harassment allegations poses challenges for employers. When same-sex discrimination is involved, however, the challenges are often compounded. This article discusses a case involving a worker who quit when he believed his employer was insufficiently responsive to his allegations of sexual harassment by a same-sex co-worker. The article also describes a test the Supreme Court adopted in 1998 to be used in same-sex cases, and why the Sixth Circuit ruled against the plaintiff in this present-day instance. A sidebar looks at the 1998 case. Citations: Wasek v. Arrow Energy Services, Inc., No. 10-2418, June 20, 2012 (6th Cir.). Oncale v. Sundowner Offshore Services, Inc., No. 96-568, March 4, 1998 (Supreme Court). Redd v. New York State Division of Parole, No. 10-1410-cv, May 4, 2012 (2nd Cir.)