Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., 550 U.S. 618 (2007)
Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.
Does the statute of limitations for filing a pay discrimination claim under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act start when the discriminatory pay decision is made, or with each subsequent paycheck that reflects that decision?
Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, a plaintiff must file a charge of discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission within 180 days after the alleged unlawful employment practice occurred.
The Supreme Court held that the statute of limitations for a pay discrimination claim under Title VII begins when the employer makes the initial discriminatory pay decision, not each time the employee receives a paycheck affected by that decision.
Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. is significant for its interpretation of the statute of limitations in pay discrimination claims, highlighting the challenges employees face in recognizing discrimination. The case underscores the importance of timely action in enforcing rights under discrimination statutes. Furthermore, it exemplifies how judicial decisions can spark legislative reforms; the public response to this decision led to the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which effectively overturned the Court's ruling by resetting the limitations period with each discriminatory paycheck.