Case Law

Rockie

I am putting together some harassment training for my supervisors/managers and I am trying to find out some specifics on the case of Vinson vs. Meriton Savings Bank. Could some of you give me a thumbnail sketch of what the particulars of the case were? Thanks!

Gar

As best that I can recall, Ms. Vinson, an employee of the bank (Meritor Savings Bank) had a consensual relationship with her boss. She claimed to have been forced into the affair and subsequenyly resigned. The bank used the consensual relationship as a defense. The Supremes held that voluntary participation by the person harassed is not a defense. The issue is whether the advances are unwelcome. Three other cases I suggest you mention are Ellison v. Brady (the reasonable woman concept), Weeks v. Baker & McKenzie (a big lawfirm), and Torres v. Pisano. Hope this helps.

Rockie

Thanks GAR. That's just what I needed!

Hatchetman

Regarding the "reasonable woman standard" that the Ellison case created in the Ninth Circuit, the US Supreme Court, in 1993, just two years later, essentially invalidated it in the Harris v. Forklift Systems case (510 US 17), going just with the "reasonable person" standard.

Gar

Thnx. Hatchetman!

System

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James Sokolowski
Senior Editor
M. Lee Smith Publishers