Cengage Advantage Books: Fundamentals of Business Law 9th Edition by Roger LeRoy Miller

Exercise 7

Discrimination Based on Gender. Brenda Lewis worked for two years at Heartland Inns of America, LLC, and gradually worked her way up the management ladder. Lewis, who described herself as a tomboy, was commended for her good work. When she moved to a different Heartland hotel, the director of operations, Barbara Cullinan, told one of the owners that Lewis was not a "good fit" for the front desk because she was not feminine enough. Cullinan told various people that the hotel wanted "pretty" girls at the front desk. Explaining to Lewis that her hiring had not been done properly, Cullinan said Lewis would need to perform another interview. Cullinan fired Lewis soon after the interview. The reason given in a letter was that Lewis was hostile during the interview process. Lewis sued Heartland for discrimination based on unlawful gender stereotyping. The district court dismissed the suit. Lewis appealed. Does her claim fall under Title VII's restriction on discrimination based on gender? Why or why not? [ Lewis v. Heartland Inns of America, LLC, 591 F.3d 1033 (8th Cir. 2010)]