Clifford Chance

U.S. Supreme Court Strikes Down "Background Circumstances" Rule for Majority-Group Plaintiffs in Discrimination Cases in Ames v. Ohio Department of Youth Services

June 12, 2025

On June 5, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a rule that imposed a heightened evidentiary burden on plaintiffs who are members of a majority group alleging employment discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.  In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court vacated the Sixth Circuit's ruling in Ames v. Ohio Department of Youth Services, concluding that the standard for proving disparate treatment under Title VII is the same for every individual regardless of membership in a majority or minority group.  The Supreme Court's decision resolves a Circuit split over the application of the "background circumstances" rule in discrimination cases under Title VII, and will impact employers based in states in the Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, Tenth, and D.C. Circuits.  

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