October Term 2010 · Docket 09-291
Can a fired fiancé sue for workplace retaliation?
Eric Thompson claims his employer fired him to punish his fiancée for opposing sex discrimination.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
Schnapper argued the statute text does not limit retaliation types.
Latherow argued Thompson did not allege personal discrimination.
questions_detail
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 49-13 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 49-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 3-13 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 3-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-25 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 27-29 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 27-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 47-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 17-23 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 17-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 37-49 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 37-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 21-27 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 21-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 41-43 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 41-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 47-1 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 47-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 7-19 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 7-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 11-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 31-31 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 31-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 47-49
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
Thompson seeks damages for his termination. The employer argues he lacks standing because he did not face discrimination.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 49-13 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 49-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 3-13 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 3-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-25 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-25
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on December 7, 2010.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-17
What each side wants
Thompson wants a damages award for his job loss.
The employer wants the dismissal of Thompson's lawsuit.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 49-13 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 49-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 3-13 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 3-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-25 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-25
What each side says
Thompson argues the statute bans third-party reprisals without limiting the type of retaliation.
The employer argues the statute only protects employees who personally face discrimination.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 49-13 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 49-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 3-13 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 3-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-25 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-25
What the justices asked
Justice Alito asked if Thompson is aggrieved under Title VII.
Justice Kennedy asked if shareholders could sue for lost employee value.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 27-29 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 27-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 47-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 17-23 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 17-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 37-49 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 37-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 21-27 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 21-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 41-43 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 41-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 47-1 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 47-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 7-19 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 7-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 11-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 31-31 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 31-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 47-49
Why it matters
This case defines who can sue for workplace retaliation. It sets the boundary for third-party claims. It clarifies the scope of Title VII protections.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 49-13 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 49-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 3-13 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 3-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-25 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-25
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 27-29 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 27-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 47-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 17-23 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 17-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 37-49 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 37-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 21-27 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 21-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 41-43 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 41-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 47-1 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 47-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 7-19 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 7-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 11-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 31-31 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 31-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 47-49
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 49-13 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 49-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 3-13 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 3-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-25 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 49-13 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 49-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 3-13 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 3-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-25 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-25
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.