This year Melani Sanders, a Florida content creator, launched the viral We Do Not Care Club™ (WDNCC). In her videos, Sanders, with her multiple pairs of readers, a hair bonnet on her head and sometimes an airplane pillow around her shoulders, puts the world on notice that women in perimenopause, menopause and
Articles Discussing General Sex Discrimination Issues Under Title VII.
Denial of Gender-Affirming Care Does Not Qualify as Sex Discrimination, Eleventh Circuit Holds
Denial of Gender-Affirming Care Does Not Qualify as Sex Discrimination, Eleventh Circuit Holds
On September 9, 2025, in Anna Lange v. Houston County, Georgia, et. al., the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit held that the denial of coverage for gender-affirming surgery was not discriminatory.
tgelbman@littler.com Fri, 09/12/2025
Title VII: What Constitutes Discrimination on the Basis of Sex?
On May 15, 2025, the district court for the Northern District of Texas issued an order vacating the gender-identity portions of the EEOC’s 2024 Enforcement Guidance. In the order, District Judge Matthew J. Kacsmaryk stated that all language defining “sex” under Title VII to include “sexual orientation” and/or “gender identity” was contrary to law and therefore vacated.
International Women’s Day – Accelerate Action: Advancing Women in Leadership
International Women’s Day (IWD) falls on the March 8th each year. This year’s campaign theme, “Accelerate Action,” highlights the urgent need for progress as data from the World Economic Forum predicts that, at the current rate of progress, it will take until 2158 to reach full gender parity – roughly
DOL Issues Guidance on the PUMP Act and Updates the Minimum Wage Poster
On May 17, 2023, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Wage and Hour Division issued Field Assistance Bulletin No. 2023-2 (FAB) to provide guidance to its field staff on the Providing Urgent Maternal Protections for Nursing Mothers Act (PUMP Act) and its enforcement.
Women’s History Month Spotlight: Part 2 of a Q&A With Ogletree Shareholder Diana J. Nehro
In honor of Women’s History Month, we asked New York shareholder Diana Nehro, the newest member of the firm’s board of directors and chair of Ogletree Deakins’ Cross-Border Practice Group, a few questions about her experiences as a prominent and respected woman in the legal profession.
What legal issues arise when implementing global policies around women’s health and fertility?
Conversations with Women: Perspectives from Littler Alumnae
In this episode of our Women’s History Month podcast series, Conversations with Women, Jacqueline Polito (Rochester) talks with two special Littler alumnae, Meyling Ly Ortiz, Managing Counsel at Toyota, and Eboneé Lewis, Associate General Counsel at BD, a global medical technology company. Sharing personal stories of support, Mey and
Conversations with Women: Advancing Gender Equity
Jennifer Youpa and Nina Markey discuss the importance of advancing gender equity in the workplace, how access and representation are critical to creating opportunities for women, and how women can help each other achieve their professional goals.
The New ‘Race and Sex Stereotyping’ Executive Order Affecting Federal Contractors
On September 22, 2020, President Donald Trump signed an executive order titled “Executive Order on Combating Race and Sex Stereotyping.” The executive order follows a September 4, 2020, memorandum from Russell Vought, director of the Office of Management and Budget, and introduces requirements for government contractors conducting diversity and inclusion
New Year, New Trend? New York to Require Corporate Reporting on Number of Women on the Board
New York State recently enacted a new law (A 6330/S 4278) mandating a study of the proportion of female members on the boards of corporations authorized to do business in the state.
Has #MeToo Created a New Claim of Male-Bias Discrimination?
Often—and without much thinking—when an employer faces a claim of sexual harassment, the knee-jerk response is to discipline or terminate the man accused. It is the easiest way to go, especially if the alleged harasser is a mid- or lower-level employee, is not a stellar performer, and involved in a largely he said/she said situation. And terminating the alleged harasser may have the salutary effects of cutting off liability under federal law and limiting damages under New York State and New York City law by showing that the employer took appropriate steps to ensure that the harassment would not recur.
Dear Littler: Do We Have to Provide the Kitchen Sink (Literally!) to Lactating Employees?
Dear Littler: A long-term San Francisco-based employee with our company is returning soon from maternity leave. In discussing her return date, she requested accommodations for expressing breast milk at work. After working with our human resources manager, we decided to install a lock on her office door so that she would have a private and convenient place to do so. The employee is not satisfied with this measure, however, and has requested a room with both a sink and a refrigerator for her private use. We have a kitchen on a nearby floor, but we aren’t sure if that is necessary or sufficient. Also, we have locations throughout the country, and similar questions keep coming up at our various regional offices. Do we really need to provide “the kitchen sink” to be in compliance with lactation accommodation laws? What are our duties?
Rumors Run Amok: Poorly Managing Rumors of an Alleged Affair Opens Title VII Liability
Just in time for Valentine’s Day, in Parker v. Reema Consulting Services, Inc., the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit has held that a false rumor that a woman slept with her manager to obtain promotions could give rise to Title VII liability. Reema Consulting Services Inc. had won a motion to dismiss Evangeline Parker’s discrimination and retaliation claims. The district court viewed Parker’s allegations as describing harassment motivated not by her gender but by false allegations about her conduct. The court had also ruled that because the rumor was in circulation for such a short time, the treatment Parker suffered because of it was not severe or pervasive.
Sex Discrimination Claim Arising from No Severance
A severance package is pay and/or benefits employers pay employees following a termination or layoff. Often, the employee’s acceptance of the severance will include a release of any potential claims against the employer. Of course, severance packages are not required. In a recent decision, a court considered what happens when every departing employee is not offered a severance package.