Griggs Vs Duke Power Company Summary

Christopher Resotko
11/23/15

(Griggs v. Duke Power Company)

I. Facts of the Case

Willie Griggs and several other African- American employees filed a class action lawsuit against Duke Energy. Griggs claims that Duke’s new employment policy requiring aptitude tests and a high school diploma violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Duke’s senior level management maintained the tests and educational requirement were intended to produce a generally improved workforce. Griggs and the employees of the laborer division saw this policy change as an underhanded method to restrict and prevent African Americans from obtaining occupational success.

A. Procedural History The district court ruled that a former discrimination policy had concluded with the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Duke Energy did not have any residual discriminatory polices. They also agreed that the tests were fair to administer and did not discriminate. The court concluded there was no evidence related the tests or the educational requirements to a specific …show more content…
The court referenced the intention of legislators to achieve equality of all races, sexes, national origins, and religions when seeking employment. Prior practices and policies that continue a culture of discrimination are prohibited, even if unintentional or neutral on the surface. Section 703 (h) of the law allows companies to establish “professionally designed ability tests” and legally discriminate on the basis of these test results. Senators who wrote the bill emphasized the importance of applicants being qualified for the job without acknowledging racial characteristics. Griggs argues that the ability tests have no bearing on their job performance. Employees at Duke were found to have satisfactory job performance even without the diploma requirement. Duke established it could legally implement required tests in order to improve the general

Show More

Related Documents: Griggs Vs Duke Power Company Summary

Synthesis: Corporation and Partnership Act Law Essay