Supreme Court curtails rights of public employees

[flashl]

The justices reject an Oregon woman's discrimination lawsuit, saying it threatened to turn millions of ordinary job grievances into federal cases.

WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court on Monday limited the rights of public employees, ruling that a state worker who said she was fired by a supervisor who was out to "get rid of" her could not sue the government for denying her equal protection of the laws.

In a 6-3 ruling, the justices refused to open the courthouse door to what some have called discrimination lawsuits by a "class of one."

Typically, employees sue in federal court because they say they were subjected to illegal discrimination based on race, gender, religion or national origin. The court labeled such lawsuits "class-based" because the employees said they suffered discrimination as part of a group.

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The Constitution says the government may not "deny to any person . . . the equal protection of the laws." Public employees can bring job bias lawsuits that claim constitutional violations. Lawyers say only a handful of public employees have won such claims, which have been filed with increasing frequency.

LA Times

[no_hypocrisy]

1. Since when does the at-will doctrine of employment law apply to public employees?

[flashl]

2. Exception, if unlawful discrimination is involved ...