The Griggs v. Duke Power Co. Case

The Griggs v. Duke Power Co. case (1971) was a landmark Supreme Court decision addressing workplace discrimination. The Court ruled that employers could not just have neutral-looking policies, like requiring high school diplomas or standardized tests, if those policies disproportionately disadvantaged Black applicants and did not directly relate to job performance. The decision established the "disparate impact" doctrine, meaning employment practices must be fair andjob-related, regardless of intent. This case significantly advanced civil rights by ensuring that employment practices do not unintentionally discriminate against protected groups.