Supreme Court Extends Employment Protection to LGBTQ Workers

Monday, the US Supreme Court ruled that the Civil Rights Act protects gay and transgender workers from employment discrimination.

It is a decision that extends the protection nationwide and affirms a practice we at Green Key Resources have always followed.

“At Green Key Resources, equal employment opportunity has been, and will continue to be a fundamental principle,” said Adina Goldman, Director of Human Resources. “We’ve always been committed to a program of equal employment and advancement opportunity for all workers.”

“We’re pleased with the Supreme Court’s ruling making it illegal for an employer to discriminate against someone based on their sexual orientation or gender identity, which is directly aligned with Green Key’s existing principles.”

The Court’s decision surprised LGBTQ activists, not only because of its 6-3 majority, but also because it was authored by Neil Gorsuch, the first of President Trump’s two conservative appointees.

In the 33 page majority opinion, Gorsuch declared, “An employer who fires an individual merely for being gay or transgender defies the law.”

Discussing the central part of the Civil Rights Act – Title VII – Gorsuch wrote, “The statute’s message for our cases is equally simple and momentous: An individual’s homosexuality or transgender status is not relevant to employment decisions. That’s because it is impossible to discriminate against a person for being homosexual or transgender without discriminating against that individual based on sex.”

Justice Samuel Alito wrote a 54 page dissent which was joined in by Justice Clarence Thomas. Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote a separate 28 page dissent.

The decision means that in the 25 states and 3 territories without explicit protections for LGBTQ people, it is now illegal to fire, refuse to hire or otherwise discriminate against them in the workplace. Other states and territories have state laws in place prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual identity, which are now supplemented by the Supreme Court’s decision.

Photo by Claire Anderson on Unsplash

How Wellness Initiatives Can Strengthen Your Workforce
General Interest Green Key News Leadership + Management Worklife

How Wellness Initiatives Can Strengthen Your Workforce

#WeAreGreenKey: Spotlight on Alexis Schumacher
Accounting + Finance General Interest Green Key News Worklife

#WeAreGreenKey: Spotlight on Alexis Schumacher

Women in Leadership at GKR
General Interest Green Key News Leadership + Management Worklife

Women in Leadership at GKR

Spain Becomes First European Country to Offer Paid Menstrual Leave
General Interest Green Key News Human Resources Worklife

Spain Becomes First European Country to Offer Paid Menstrual Leave

Green Key Unlocked: Benefits of Travel Nursing
General Interest Green Key News Healthcare Worklife

Green Key Unlocked: Benefits of Travel Nursing

How to Maintain Culture in Remote Environments
Architecture + Engineering General Interest Green Key News Worklife

How to Maintain Culture in Remote Environments

Tips to Strengthen Time Management
General Interest Green Key News Leadership + Management Worklife

Tips to Strengthen Time Management

#WeAreGreenKey: Spotlight on Katie Kressel
General Interest Green Key News Human Resources Leadership + Management Professional Support Worklife

#WeAreGreenKey: Spotlight on Katie Kressel

Workplace Trends 2023
General Interest Green Key News Human Resources Leadership + Management Worklife

Workplace Trends 2023

#WeAreGreenKey: Spotlight on Jason Kien
Accounting + Finance General Interest Green Key News Leadership + Management Worklife

#WeAreGreenKey: Spotlight on Jason Kien

How to Use ChatGPT to Build a Resume
General Interest Green Key News Information Technology Marketing Technology Worklife

How to Use ChatGPT to Build a Resume

Green Key Unlocked: Data Roles in IT
General Interest Green Key News Information Technology Worklife

Green Key Unlocked: Data Roles in IT

The New Marketing & Sales Team
Marketing Technology

The New Marketing & Sales Team

#WeAreGreenKey: Spotlight on Matt Schirano
General Interest Green Key News Information Technology Leadership + Management Worklife

#WeAreGreenKey: Spotlight on Matt Schirano

Green Key Unlocked: The Effect of Tech Layoffs
General Interest Green Key News Information Technology Leadership + Management Worklife

Green Key Unlocked: The Effect of Tech Layoffs

How to Prepare for a Recruiter Interview with a Staffing Agency
General Interest Green Key News Human Resources Leadership + Management Worklife

How to Prepare for a Recruiter Interview with a Staffing Agency

5 Ways to Make Your Job More Meaningful
General Interest Green Key News Worklife

5 Ways to Make Your Job More Meaningful

Minimum Wage Increases in 2023
Accounting + Finance Architecture + Engineering Financial Services General Interest Green Key News Healthcare Human Resources Information Technology Leadership + Management Legal Support Marketing Technology Pharma Professional Support Worklife

Minimum Wage Increases in 2023

2023 Recruitment Trends
General Interest Green Key News Human Resources Leadership + Management Worklife

2023 Recruitment Trends

#WeAreGreenKey: Spotlight on Carissa Iacona
General Interest Green Key News Marketing Technology Worklife

#WeAreGreenKey: Spotlight on Carissa Iacona

Latest Blog Posts
View All Posts
How Wellness Initiatives Can Strengthen Your Workforce

How Wellness Initiatives Can Strengthen Your Workforce

Establishing an inclusive culture and focusing on employee health can boost productivity, encourage teamwork, and increase better communication.
Read More
#WeAreGreenKey: Spotlight on Alexis Schumacher

#WeAreGreenKey: Spotlight on Alexis Schumacher

Her natural ability to communicate, along with some professional experience in public relations and outreach, has allowed her to flourish...
Read More
Women in Leadership at GKR

Women in Leadership at GKR

Although being a woman in a leadership role comes with its challenges, those at Green Key also note the feelings...
Read More