Essay on Hrm Legal Issues

Submitted By mml2013
Words: 395
Pages: 2

Legal Issues in HRM Mini-Case Analysis
According to Susan Huff’s explanation, Peggy Walker is victim to disparate treatment. Disparate treatment is when an employee is treated differently on the basis of some protected characteristic such as race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, or age. In Susan’s reasoning for Peggy’s departure, Susan explained that people with blonde hair tend to be well received by customers and therefore, better customer service representatives. Susan also explained that Peggy does not have the capabilities envisioned for her employees, although, Peggy has received excellent performance reviews and has received a bonus four out of her five years as an employee. After further review, we have determined that Peggy was subject to disparate treatment on the basis of national origin.
Having made clear that a person with blonde hair is better suited for this position, Susan insinuated that a person of German descent will perform better. Being from Hispanic descent, Peggy does not have blonde hair. Circumstantial evidence proves that Peggy is a member of a protected class, Hispanic, and is well qualified for the job. Peggy was fired and replaced by Rick, a man with blonde hair. There is direct evidence of disparate treatment through Susan’s response, “I have found that people with blonde hair tend to be well received by customers and thus better at this type of work. You do not meet these requirements, sorry and good luck.” Both direct and circumstantial evidence gives