Work Life Balance Lawsuits

Mary Still, a sociologist, and author of a new study published by the Center for WorkLife Law at the University of California Hastings College of the Law, says there has been a 400% increase in the last decade in the number of lawsuits filed by workers alleging that they were discriminated against by their employers because of caregiving responsibilities at home for a parent or child.

Still says the lawsuits reviewed in the study show that discrimination often takes place when an employee is denied a promotion or opportunity not because of poor performance, but because a boss perceives the worker’s personal responsibilities will prevent him or her from doing the job.

At least 43 cases of the 600 cases studied were filed by men caring for family members, including children, parents and spouses.

The full study, entitled "Litigating the Maternal Wall: U.S. Lawsuits Charging Discrimination Against Workers with Family Responsibilities," can be accessed here.

See an article about Still's study here.