The impact of recent employment-discrimination decisions A guide for the small business owner

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to inform small business owners about recent Supreme Court rulings interpreting Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. Design/methodology/approach - A review of recent Supreme Court rulings. Findings - Recent Supreme Court rulings have increased the plaintiff's burden of proof in employment- discrimination cases in the USA. Practical implications - Assuming that Congress does not legislatively overrule these decisions, business owners (including small business owners) should find it easier to shield themselves from employment-discrimination claims. However, this change should not be considered license to be less vigilant when it comes to preventing employment discrimination. Originality/value - While there have been numerous reports on this law in the legal community, the primary audience for this piece is the business owner. The author's goal is to provide a combination of background information and practical advice, making this valuable to business owners who are not versed in the law.