Male Flight

Is it true that men leave a profession when women start entering it in numbers? Not exactly. But "male flight" is the name of the concept touted in this piece. When women enter in numbers, fewer men continue to enter the field. Is the future of law a "chick field"? 

Big class

In an en banc decision, a sharply divided (6-5) federal appeals court (9th Cir.) has determined that Wal-Mart, the world's largest private employer, must defend a class action gender discrimination suit filed by six women. The class action involves as many as 1.5 million current and former employees. The allegations include claims that women are paid less than men working the same jobs and that women are not promoted as often as or as soon as males.

Ledbetter 2

John Phillips has a concise summary of the Paycheck Fairness Act here. It is soon to get front burner treatment.

Business v. business harassment suit permitted in New Jersey

A New Jersey appellate court has found the State's Law Against Discrimination applies to a claim by one business that another ceased doing business with it because its female owner refused the sexual advances of a branch manager of the second business. Sexual harassment claims are normally brought under the employment laws, but New Jersey's LAD is broader. The LAD prohibits a gender based refusal to do business with another. The appellate court had little difficulty determining that quid pro quo harassment was based upon gender here. It remains an open questions as to whether the LAD covers a hostile environment created by one business affecting another.