Last month, the Supreme Court ruled in Staub v. Proctor Hospital(pdf) that an employer in an employment discrimination case can be liable for the discriminatory animus of an employee who influences, but does not make, the ultimate employment decision at issue. Known as the Γ’β¬ΕcatΓ’β¬β’s pawΓ’β¬Β theory, it already is having an impact on claims brought under the Family and Medical Leave Act.