Topic: Legal and human Resource Dimension
Question: Critical Thinking: Case Analysis: Employment Discrimination
Read the following fact pattern and assess whether the plaintiff, Anna, has a claim for employment discrimination.
Anna's immediate supervisor, Michael, repeatedly required that she have "closed door" meetings with him. Closed-door meetings violate company policy. Other employees were aware of these closed-door meetings and, as a result, rumors began to spread that Anna and Michael were having an office romance. In fact, in these closed-door meetings Michael tried to convince Anna to lend him money, a practice that also violates company policy. Anna repeatedly denied the request and Michael stopped asking. However, the rumors continued and affected Anna deeply. She was treated like an outcast by her co-workers. Anna asked Michael to clear up the rumors, but he found them amusing. Anna had two evaluations where she scored low points for "integrity" and "interpersonal relations" as a consequence of the rumors. She was passed over for two promotions for which she applied where her skills and experience were superior to the employees who were promoted. She filed an action against her employer on the ground that her supervisor had created a hostile work environment because he refused to stop the rumors.
Assess whether Anna has a valid claim under Title VII. Include any key provisions that may apply. Compare and contrast valid case law as it relates to Anna's situation. Do you think she will prevail in her cause of action? What other causes of action may she have?
Note that you are either arguing for Anna (the plaintiff) and contend that she has a valid cause of action, or you are arguing for her employer (the defendant) and contend that Anna's claim is without merit. Either way, support your answer with case law.