"Score One for Employers in the Liberty Layoff," Boston Business Journal
The Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts' recent treatment of a discrimination case stemming "from a reduction in force" translates to victory for employers -- The state's highest court upheld the trial court's summary judgment in favor of the defendant in Mary Sullivan v. Liberty Mutual Insurance Co. What's more, the SJC sided with the Boston-based Liberty's decision to lay off an employee in a so-called protected class -- such as women and minorities -- for subjective, business-related decisions. Littler's David Casey notes this as a positive development for employers, and says employees must prove they were let go in lieu of members who are not from protective classes "in circumstances that give rise to an interference of discrimination."