{"argument_date":"2013-11-04T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2013-11-04T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2013","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","paragraphs":["Mr. Schnapper argued not everything worn is clothes.","Mr. Dinardo noted the Portal-to-Portal Act context.","Justices questioned the boundary between ordinary and protective gear."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 37-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 37-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 15-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 15-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 9-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 43, lines 9-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 29-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 29-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 3-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 3-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 49-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 49-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 17-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 17-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 37-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 37-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 39-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 39-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 47-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 47-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 11-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 11-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 51-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 51-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 29-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 29-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 49-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 49-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 21-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 21-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 31-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 31-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 19-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 19-45"}]}],"caption":"Sandifer v. United States Steel Corp.","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:24.326259Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"},{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:24.355887Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"the sides that brought the case seek compensation for time spent putting on and removing protective equipment. the opposing sides argue this time falls outside the statutory definition of clothes.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 15-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 15-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 9-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 43, lines 9-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 37-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 37-37"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2013-11-04T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2013","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/12-417.html","primary_docket":"12-417","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T21:34:47.231002Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":1},{"correction_note":"Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.","created_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":2}],"schema_version":"1.1","sections":[{"heading":"What this case is about","paragraphs":["The case centers on the definition of clothes under the Fair Labor Standards Act. the sides that brought the case argue safety gear counts as clothes. the opposing sides argue only ordinary garments qualify."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 15-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 15-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 9-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 43, lines 9-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 37-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 37-37"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on November 4, 2013."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 47-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 47-1"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["the sides that brought the case want employers to pay for time spent donning and doffing safety gear.","the opposing sides want to exclude safety gear from the definition of clothes."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 15-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 15-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 9-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 43, lines 9-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 37-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 37-37"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["the sides that brought the case argue safety gear functions as clothing under the statute.","the opposing sides argue only ordinary garments qualify as clothes."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 15-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 15-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 9-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 43, lines 9-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 37-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 37-37"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Sotomayor asked if leggings count as clothes.","Justice Alito asked if protection against hazards defines clothing status."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 37-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 37-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 29-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 29-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 3-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 3-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 49-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 49-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 17-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 17-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 39-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 39-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 47-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 47-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 11-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 11-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 51-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 51-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 29-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 29-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 49-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 49-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 21-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 21-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 31-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 31-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 19-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 19-45"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["The outcome determines whether workers receive pay for safety gear preparation time. This affects compensation standards for millions of industrial employees nationwide."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 15-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 15-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 9-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 43, lines 9-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 37-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 37-37"}]},{"heading":"What happens next","paragraphs":["This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 37-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 37-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 29-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 29-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 3-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 3-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 49-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 49-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 17-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 17-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 39-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 39-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 47-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 47-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 11-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 11-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 51-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 51-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 29-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 29-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 49-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 49-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 21-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 21-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 31-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 31-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 19-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 19-45"}]}],"slug":"2013-12-417-sandifer-v-united-states-steel-corp","term":"2013","title":"Does the FLSA require employers to pay for donning and doffing safety gear?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 15-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 15-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 9-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 43, lines 9-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 37-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-417_o8kg.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 37-37"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}