Linda was employed with Southern Telephone Company as a telephone operator for 10 years. Bored with this job, she applied for an open position as a telephone repairman which paid $10.00 per hour more than she was earning as a telephone operator. This position required the employee to be able to climb to the top of a telephone pole wearing a tool belt weighing approximately 15 to 20 lbs to make repairs. Southern Telephone Company refused to admit Linda into the training program for the position claiming that she was incapable of performing the duties of the position because she was female.
Critically discuss this scenario from both Linda's and Southern Telephone Company's points of view, including the basis for the relevant claims and defenses.