General Electric Co. v. Gilbert

429 U.S. 125 (1976)

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General Electric Co. v. Gilbert

United States Supreme Court
429 U.S. 125 (1976)

  • Written by Haley Gintis, JD
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Facts

A class of female employees who were previously or currently pregnant (plaintiffs) brought suit against their employer, General Electric Company (GE) (defendant), alleging that the disability plan GE provided violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The female employees argued that the plan constituted sex discrimination violative of Title VII because the disability plan paid benefits to employees unable to work due to sickness or accidents but excluded disabilities relating to pregnancy. The district court concluded that the plan was discriminatory by excluding pregnancy disabilities and that GE had a discriminatory attitude toward women, which motivated the policy. GE appealed, and the court of appeals affirmed the district court. GE appealed again and the United States Supreme Court granted certiorari.

Rule of Law

Issue

Holding and Reasoning (Rehnquist, J.)

Dissent (Stevens, J.)

Dissent (Brennan, J.)

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